Seòmar agus comataidhean

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Criathragan Hide all filters

Displaying 339 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-02795

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 21 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to (a) remobilise neurology services and (b) ensure equitable and timely access to services for everyone with a neurological condition in all regions of Scotland.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensure everyone with a neurological condition has timely access to care and services in all regions of Scotland. That is why we published a Neurological Care and Support – a National Framework for Action in December 2019 . We are investing £4.5 million of funding to implement the Framework’s aims and commitments. The aims include improving the provision of co-ordinated health and social care and support, developing sustainable workforce models and ensuring high standards of person-centred care.

Since 2015, the Scottish Government provides £2.4 million annually to improve specialist nursing services. NHS Boards make the decision on where to prioritise this funding based on local need. NHS Boards are expected to ensure that patients, including those who require epilepsy services, have access to a range of professionals to provide the appropriate management of their condition.

The Scottish Government launched its NHS Recovery Plan on the 25 August, which sets out our key headline ambitions and actions to be developed and delivered now and over the next 5 years. The plan is backed by more than £1 billion of investment over the next five years.

By the end of this year, we will publish a National Workforce Strategy that supports the delivery of the NHS Recovery Plan , specifically its key workforce targets. The strategy will set out the strategic framework through which we will design, develop and deliver training programmes in partnership with NHS National Education Scotland and the NHS Academy, offering new routes into the NHS, and broadening opportunities. In addition, it will provide NHS Boards a framework for assessing nationally the role of Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS). The NHS will gain additional 500 Advance Nurse Practitioners (ANP) over the next five years and we will be working closely with neurology services to identify areas of need for both ANPs and CNS capacity to better meet patient need.

A recent report published by the Chief Nursing Officer Directorate made a number recommendations regarding CNS roles. This work is being taken forward in Neurology (and epilepsy specifically) by a group with representation from Chief Nursing Officer Directorate, NHS Education Scotland, Centre for Sustainability Delivery as well as strong Epilepsy CNS Representation.

The impact of addressing the COVID-19 pandemic has meant that many health and social care services had to be suspended or reduced in scope and scale. This has affected almost all aspects of NHS care. Addressing the backlog of care, while continuing to meet the ongoing urgent health and care needs of the country, is a priority for this Government.

The Centre for Sustainable Delivery continues to work closely with Neurology services in all Health Boards. In particular work on Active Clinical Referral Triage aims to ensure patients who require appointments most urgently are seen as soon as possible, while those who may not benefit from a Consultant appointment are returned to the GP with advice and guidance; and Discharge Patient Initiated Review aims to avoid unnecessary return appointments, again supporting access for those patient who need to be seen in a timely manner.

Question reference: S6W-02797

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 21 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Epilepsy Scotland report, Epilepsy Services in Scotland, in relation to its findings regarding (a) neurology waiting times of more than a year in some NHS boards and (b) significant caseloads of more than 1,000 patients for some epilepsy specialist nurses.

Question reference: S6O-00184

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 September 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when it will begin consulting on a cap on fishing activity in inshore waters.

Question reference: S6W-02640

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 13 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to engage with stakeholders and communities in relation to the terms of the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.

Question reference: S6O-00136

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 September 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to introduce "bairns’ hooses".

Question reference: S6W-02525

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 2 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will introduce legislation to modernise crofting law.

Question reference: S6W-02053

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 31 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) cars and (b) motorhomes have been transported by CalMac in each year since 2007-08 on the (i) Stornoway to Ullapool, (ii) Ullapool to Stornoway, (iii) Lochmaddy to Tarbert, (iv) Lochmaddy to Uig, (v) Tarbert to Lochmaddy, (vi) Tarbert to Uig, (vii) Uig to Tarbert, (viii) Mallaig to Lochboisdale, (ix) Castlebay to Lochboisdale, (x) Castlebay to Oban, (xi) Lochboisdale to Castlebay, (xii) Lochboidale to Oban, (xiii) Oban to Castlebay, (xiv) Berneray to Leverburgh, (xv) Leverburgh to Berneray, (xvi) Eriskay to Ardmhor and (xvii) Ardmhor to Eriskay crossing.

Question reference: S6W-02038

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 27 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what the passenger carrying capacity is for each (a) CalMac Ferries and (b) NorthLink Ferries vessel with 1m+ social distancing measures in place, and how this compares with normal passenger carrying capacity with no social distancing restrictions.

The carrying capacity of vessels under physical distancing requirements is dependent upon the individual layout, including access and egress arrangements. The table below provides information on the normal passenger carrying capacity of the vessels used on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services and the Northern Isles Ferry Services as well as carrying capacity under 2m and 1m physical distancing requirements.

CalMac Ferries
Vessel	Normal Capacity	2m Distancing	1m Distancing
Argyle	450	64	84
Bute	450	64	84
Caledonian Isles	1000	100	276
Clansman	300	86	206
Coruisk	249	40	50
Finlaggan	550	132	206
Herbridean Isles	465	80	118
Herbrides	402	86	198
Isle of Arran	447	29	79
Isle of Lewis	680	133	305
Isle of Mull	951	100	218
Loch Seaforth	700	133	304
Loch Seaforth Freight	38	25	38
Lochnevis	190	20	49
Lord of the Isles	506	67	112
Ali Cat	240	24	40
Argyll Flyer	187	25	55
Carvoria	12	8	12
Catriona	150	16	26
Hallaig	150	16	26
Lochnivar	150	16	26
Chieftan	85	27	31
Isle of Cumbrae	100		14
Loch Alainn	150	16	30
Loch Brushda	150	16	23
Loch Buie	150	28	77
Loch Dunvegan	200	47	83
Loch Fyne	200	47	83
Loch Portain	146	28	43
Loch Shira	149	52	53
Loch Striven	150	19	29
Loch Ranza	150	19	29
Loch Riddon	150	19	29
Loch Linnhe	150	19	29
Loch Tarbert	150	19	23

Serco NorthLink
Vessel	Normal Capacity	2m Distancing	1m Distancing
Hamnavoe	600	100	370
Hjaltland	600	100	355
Hrossey	600	100	355

On 9 August 2021 physical distancing measures were lifted and vessels are now operating at normal capacity.

Question reference: S6W-02036

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 30 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 24 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider ferry service timetable changes to enable the use of the mezzanine deck on the MV Hebrides.

The use of the mezzanine deck on MV Hebrides is a primarily an operational decision for CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL). CFL continue to engage with the communities and businesses who use the service regarding the use of the mezzanine deck and the potential impacts on timetables, number of sailings and overall capacity for passengers and vehicles. The mezzanine deck was brought back into use on sailings from 9 August 2021.

Question reference: S6W-01382

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 23 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will commence its review of arrangements for the provision of financial support for patient travel.

As previously set out in the Chamber, Scottish Government will take forward a comprehensive review of the arrangements in place for provision of financial support for patient travel. This review will take full account of the matters raised by Members.

Regrettably, this review has been delayed due to prioritisation of NHS recovery and remobilisation planning, and will be taken forward as soon as possible.