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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.

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Question reference: S5W-21574

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 08 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 21 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the rise in death rates, in light of the findings in the Scottish Public Health Observatory report, Socioeconomic inequality in recent adverse mortality trends in Scotland.

Over the long term life expectancy and healthy life expectancy have increased. However, it is difficult to pinpoint the cause of changing trends. The issues are complex and relate to an ageing population, inequalities, deprivation and poverty.

We remain focused on addressing the underlying causes that drive health inequalities. Our alcohol prevention framework and our diet and healthy weight strategy are among the measures designed to help tackle some of the key issues.

Question reference: S5W-21392

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 21 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards do not inform parents of the sex of unborn babies because of concerns that they might be subject to legal action if an error is made, and what its position is on this approach.

The main purposes of ultrasound scans are to date pregnancy, chart the growth of the baby and provide antenatal screenings. Then at the more detailed scan at 20 weeks, to assess for any possible health problems. Gender scans are not carried out by the NHS as there is usually no clinical reason to find out the sex of the baby. At some scans the sonographer may be able to identify the sex of the baby, it is entirely at the Health Boards’ discretion whether they give out this information. We do not collect data on which Boards provide this information. There are no plans to change this policy at this time.

Question reference: S5W-21393

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 21 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many times in each of the last five years each NHS board has (a) been subject to and (b) lost legal action because an error was made when informing parents of the sex of an unborn baby, also broken down by the (i) cost of legal action and (ii) amount of compensation awarded.

We are not aware of any cases where Boards have been subject to legal action regarding informing parents of the sex of their baby at ultrasound. Gender scans are not carried out by the NHS as there is generally no clinical reason to find out the sex of the baby. However, on some occasions it may be possible to give an indication of what the sex is and it is for Boards to decide whether to have a local policy on sharing this information. Any Boards that give this information will indicate to parents that the scan in not a conclusive test and may not be accurate.

Question reference: S5W-21525

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 20 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 17 August 2018, 9% pay rise for NHS workers, by what date it will publish the details of the proposed changes to the terms and conditions of the "Agenda for Change" staff.

Question reference: S5W-21452

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 19 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-21123 by Jeane Freeman on 4 February 2019, whether it will provide the same information for the (a) Edinburgh and (b) Aberdeen endometriosis centre.

Question reference: S5W-21450

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 19 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-20933 by Jeane Freeman on 4 February 2019, whether it will provide the same information for the (a) Edinburgh and (b) Aberdeen endometriosis centre.

Question reference: S5W-21451

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 19 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-20934 by Jeane Freeman on 4 February 2019, whether it will provide the same information for the (a) Edinburgh and (b) Aberdeen endometriosis centre.

Question reference: S5T-01494

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 18 February 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that school menus in around three quarters of council areas include processed meats containing nitrites.

Question reference: S5W-20937

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 13 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what funding has been allocated to support the endometriosis centre in (a) Edinburgh and (b) Aberdeen.

There are two specialist centres open in Edinburgh (based at the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh and the Royal) and in Aberdeen (Royal Infirmary). It is the responsibility of local NHS Boards to ensure patients are able to access the appropriate care for endometriosis funded through existing NHS budgets.

Scottish Government has been working closely with the West of Scotland to progress the business case and establish a centre in the West. NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde have confirmed their costs are in line with other centres.

Question reference: S5W-21110

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 25 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 7 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the ISD report, Body Mass Index of Primary 1 Children in Scotland School Year 2017/18, which records an increase in the overweight and obesity gap between children from rich and poor backgrounds, and how the diet and healthy weight delivery plan will aim to alleviate this.

Health inequalities are a symptom of wider social inequalities. That is why the Scottish Government is taking action to address underlying causes, including ending poverty, fair wages, supporting families, and improving our physical and social environments.

We are also reforming public health. In June 2018, with COSLA, we published Public Health Priorities for Scotland. Creating a Scotland where we all eat well and have a healthy weight and level of physical activity is one of these six interlinked priorities. In 2019 we will establish of a new national public health body, which will have a leading role in supporting work to tackle health inequalities.

The Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan is clear in its ambition to significantly reduce diet related health inequalities. The wide range of actions includes population level measures and targeted interventions such as:

- restricting the in-store marketing and promotion of foods high in fat, salt and sugar but with little or no nutritional value in order to reduce the public health harm associated with poor diet.

- Food Standards Scotland’s Out of Home strategy which includes better information for consumers, currently out for consultation.

- Early intervention and targeted support for children, young people and families delivered by Health Boards and their partners to help them to achieve a healthy diet and weight.

The Public Health Priorities can be accessed here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-public-health-priorities/pages/0/

The Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan can be accessed here: www.gov.scot/ISBN/9781787810556 .