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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: S6W-18928

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 21 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact that the reported scarcity of NHS dental care availability in Dumfries and Galloway will have on the (a) oral and (b) general health of the population.

The Scottish Government is aware of emerging access issues within NHS Dumfries and Galloway, noting that this is an area which has suffered disproportionately with dental workforce issues in the past – an issue has only been heightened by the significant loss of EU workforce as a result of Brexit.

While an overall assessment of the impact of local access issues has not been undertaken, as it is a matter for the NHS Board, Scottish Government is working closely with the recently appointed Board Dental Taskforce to help understand and mitigate against the drivers of access issues. This includes strategic planning on the design and implementation of more sustainable dental services across the Board area. While this work continues, unregistered patients will continue to be able to access emergency and urgent care via Public Dental Service clinics.

Question reference: S6W-18934

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 21 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that NHS dental patients with chronic dental problems or ongoing dental treatment can continue to access non-emergency NHS dental care when it is clinically required.

The new Policy Prospectus, set out by this Government on 18 April, further commits us to sustained and improved equitable national access to NHS dentistry by 2026. This reaffirms our commitment to the sector and to patients in all parts of Scotland.

Official statistics published in May this year by Public Health Scotland show a significant recovery in NHS dental service provision, with over 3.8 million courses of treatment completed in 2022-23, an increase of more than 40% compared with 2021-22, when IPC restrictions were in force

Through a combination of payment reform and working closely with NHS Boards on local solutions, the intention of Scottish Government is to continue to build on this positive trend.

Question reference: S6W-18936

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 21 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that there is equal access to women's health services across all parts of Scotland.

The Women’s Health Plan sets out actions which aim to address women’s health inequalities by raising awareness around women’s health, improving access to health care for women across their lives, and reducing inequalities in health outcomes for women and girls.

NHS Boards are responsible for determining and delivering the services required by their local populations. For NHS Boards that cover remote and rural settings, local planning is expected to take account of the particular needs of these populations. Integration Authorities also engage and consult with a range of stakeholders, and work with local communities and professionals to improve outcomes and sustainability of provision through service redesign.

Question reference: S6W-18905

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 21 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of any River Clyde fishery surveys that have taken place in the last 24 months.

The following table summarises the survey work conducted by the Marine Directorate in the Firth of Clyde, between June 2021 and June 2023.

Year	Month	Survey	Vessel	Days in Clyde
2021	June	Nephrops underwater TV survey	Scotia	2
2021	August	NatureScot benthic habitat survey	Alba na Mara	16
2021	October	Clyde Scallop dredge survey	Alba na Mara	13
2021	December	Scottish West Coast Groundfish Survey Q4	Scotia	1.5
2022	May-June	Licensing	Alba na Mara	5
2022	June	Nephrops underwater TV survey	Scotia	1.5
2022	October	Clyde Scallop dredge survey	Alba na Mara	15
2022	October	OSPAR	Alba na Mara	5
2022	November	Scottish West Coast Groundfish Survey Q4	Scotia	1
2023	January	OSPAR/MFSD	Scotia	1
2023	February	Scottish West Coast Groundfish Survey Q1	Scotia	1
2023	June	Nephrops underwater TV survey	Scotia	1.5

Question reference: S6W-18913

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 20 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing a patient travel scheme in NHS Dumfries and Galloway similar to that which is available to patients in NHS Highland under the Highlands and Islands Patient Travel Scheme.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5O-04795 on 26 November 2020, the official report can be viewed at Meeting of the Parliament: 26/11/2020 | Scottish Parliament Website

As previously confirmed in the Chamber, a review of the arrangements in place for provision of financial support for patient travel will be undertaken. The review will consider the scope and arrangements for provision of financial support for patient travel across Scotland, where such travel is necessary.

Regrettably, the review has been delayed due to ongoing prioritisation of the recovery of services. It will be taken forward as soon as possible, taking full account of the matters raised by Members.

Question reference: S6O-02358

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 14 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on what impact poor infrastructure has on the ability of Scottish businesses to succeed.

Question reference: S6W-18197

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 7 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to introduce legislation relating to pet-friendly residential tenancy agreements.

Question reference: S6W-18233

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 7 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what the policy is for people employed by the Scottish Ambulance Service who have had their C1 licence temporarily revoked due to medical issues.

Question reference: S6O-02326

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 May 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported comments by Scottish Opera, regarding the disbanding of an orchestra due to the lack of young people in the industry.

Question reference: S6W-17970

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 15 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 25 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the (a) other UK administrations, (b) Health and Safety Executive and (c) stakeholders regarding alternatives to Asulox as a bracken control measure going forward.

Scottish Government officials meet regularly with counterparts from other UK administrations and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as the UK regulator, on general pesticide policy and specific points of interest. Sustainable methods for the control of bracken and the 2023 application for the Emergency Authorisation of Asulox has been regularly discussed at these meetings.

Stakeholders have the opportunity to raise and discuss pesticide issues, including bracken control, at the quarterly Pesticide Stakeholder Group meeting with Scottish Government officials. I regularly attend these meetings and bracken control has been discussed. The Scottish Government also continues to listen to views presented by the Bracken Control Group (BCG), and other stakeholders, on appropriate methods for the future control of bracken.