- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 14 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will (a) investigate and (b) improve NHS treatment pathways for those experiencing chronic urinary tract infections, in light of reports of patients in England and Wales turning to private clinics due to a lack of specialist treatment being available through the NHS.
Answer
The Scottish Government expects all NHS healthcare workers in Scotland to follow best practice when providing care for people with UTIs. In support of this, guidelines on management of suspected UTIs were developed by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) in 2020. These support clinicians to provide advice to patients and carers on appropriate treatment, risks and lifestyle and behaviour issues which can support management and prevention of UTIs.
We have supported the development of many urinary tract infection (UTI) resources to support people with these conditions and reduce the risk of infection. This includes evidence-based information and support available on the symptoms, treatment, and prevention of UTIs on NHS Inform . We have also supported local access to support through the development of Pharmacy First in community pharmacies across Scotland which allows women with less complex UTIs to access free advice or treatment where appropriate .
In addition, we continue to work intensively with NHS Boards to maximise capacity and to clear remaining waits as soon as possible, with a specific focus on specialities and areas where there are greater numbers of people waiting, including Urology.
Our Endoscopy and Urology Diagnostic Recovery and Renewal Plan , published on 30 November 2021, and backed by £70m investment , focusses on key areas such as Balancing Demand and Capacity; Workforce Training and Development; and Infrastructure Innovation and Redesign. This will be achieved through the implementation of key actions that are focused on reducing the waiting times back to the 6-week target during the lifetime of this Parliament.
The Renewal Plan will develop and implement clinical pathways that optimise the value of endoscopy and urology diagnostics in each patient's care, in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD).
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what (a) staffing, (b) budgetary and (c) departmental resources will be available to the Minister for Independence to undertake their specific responsibilities for (i) independence strategy, (ii) parliamentary co-ordination and liaison and (iii) communication with people, businesses and organisations regarding devolution, independence and Scotland's constitutional future.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-16884 on 25 April 2023 All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-05574 by Keith Brown on 20 January 2022, how many people died while in the custody of the Scottish Prison Service in (a) 2022 and (b) the first quarter of 2023.
Answer
In response to question (a) There were a total of 44 deaths in SPS custody during 2022.
In response to question (b) There have been a total of 4 deaths in SPS custody during the first quarter of 2023.
The SPS publishes information regarding all deaths in our custody in calendar years on the SPS website. This information is updated on a quarterly basis and can be accessed using the following link: Prisoner Deaths (sps.gov.uk) .
The next quarterly update will be published on the SPS website in April 2023 which will provide information on deaths in custody up to and including 31 March 202
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the specific role that Scotland played in the British Empire is highlighted in (a) the school curriculum (b) further education.
Answer
Colleges operate independently of government, it is for them to decide on the shape of their curriculum, taking into account the needs of the region and communities they serve.
In terms of the delivery of national courses (such as national 5s, Highers and Advanced Highers), schools select topics from the relevant SQA units. Within the context of a history course framework, schools may opt to include topics that examine Scotland's role in the British Empire or the Atlantic Slave Trade.
For more information on how this topic might be covered in the school curriculum, I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-16999 on 2 May 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has discussed the issue of education on the history of the British Empire with (a) other devolved governments, (b) the UK Government and (c) international governments.
Answer
The Scottish Government has not specifically discussed the issue of education on the history of the British Empire with other devolved governments, the UK Government or international governments. However, there are opportunities to engage on curriculum design and delivery more broadly with the other nations of the UK, and in January 2023 the Scottish Government engaged with the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent during their visit to the UK, and this engagement included reference to opportunities within the curriculum to embed Black history - including the impact of colonialism, racism and society today.
For more information on opportunities to learn about the British Empire within the Curriculum for Excellence, I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-16999 on 2 May 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government on what date in Spring 2023 it plans to publish its proposed new cancer strategy.
Answer
We plan to publish the proposed new cancer strategy in Spring 2023. We do not have a specific date.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 28 April 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the number of NHS dental practices in NHS (a) Lanarkshire and (b) Forth Valley that have stopped offering NHS treatment since 6 May 2021.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold information about the number of NHS dental practices that have stopped offering NHS treatment.
NHS Boards make arrangements with independent dental contractors to provide NHS General Dental Services. Individual health boards should be able to advise on the number of dentists who have resigned their list number for providing NHS services in their area.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 20 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 28 April 2023
To ask the Scottish Government when Transport Scotland will issue guidance to local authorities on the enforcement of the new offences listed in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019.
Answer
The Parking Standards Guidance document relating to the enforcement of the new parking prohibitions contained in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 is being developed in consultation with local authorities through the Parking Standards Stakeholder Working Group and will be issued to local authorities at the same time as the Enforcement Regulations come into force. This is expected to be in December 2023.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 28 April 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent NHS dental practices from moving to the private sector.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6O-02056 on 23 March 2023 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at Meeting of the Parliament: 23/03/2023 | Scottish Parliament Website
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 April 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prioritise (a) liver cancer and (b) other less survivable cancers in the 10-year cancer strategy, which is due to be published later in 2023.
Answer
The Scottish Government’s ambitious 10-year cancer strategy is nearing completion, with publication planned this Spring. The strategy will be under-pinned by action plans which will evolve with the changing cancer landscape. The strategy will take a comprehensive approach to improving patient pathways from prevention and diagnosis through to treatment and post-treatment care.
It will encompass a new earlier cancer diagnosis vision for Scotland and will continue to focus on those cancer types that are the largest burden and have poorer survival, in particular the less survivable cancers, including liver cancer.
