- Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 September 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 23 September 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, in the past five years, how many people have faced consequences of any cosmetic procedures gone wrong due to the reported lack of regulation of beauticians carrying out non-surgical cosmetic procedures, and what the cost has been for the NHS to treat any issues associated with this.
Answer
This information is not centrally collected. When NHS Scotland treats someone that has suffered harm from a non-surgical cosmetic procedure which has gone wrong, NHS Scotland will not necessarily record that this was the result of that procedure as there is no specific code to record this. This means that it is difficult to assess the cost to NHS Scotland of treating harm or complications that may have been caused.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 September 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 23 September 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether the environmental assessment of the dualling of the A96 has been completed.
Answer
It is expected that the draft outcomes from the Review, which includes a climate compatibility assessment and other impact assessments, will be consulted on this Autumn, before a final decision can be reached.
- Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Falkirk West, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 12 September 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 23 September 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what further discussions it has had with the ChargePlace Scotland operator, SWARCO, regarding further reports of issues with the roll-out of the new Stripe payment system over summer 2024, and whether compensation has been offered to any affected customers.
Answer
The ChargePlace Scotland (CPS) operator, SWARCO Smart Charging, introduced the STRIPE payment system in April 2024. Transport Scotland were made aware of technical issues during the introduction period which affected some CPS customers. In line with agreed incident management procedures, the issues were investigated by the CPS operator and actions outlined for their swift resolution. On 27 June 2024, Transport Scotland met with the CPS operator to discuss the effectiveness of the actions and to ensure no other issues had been reported. There have been no further reports of issues relating to the STRIPE implementation. CPS has not been contacted by any customers requesting compensation to-date.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 September 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 23 September 2024
To ask the Scottish Government when it will conduct a review into the Highlands and Islands Patient Travel Scheme.
Answer
Regrettably, a start date for the review is not confirmed at this time. It is important that the review of the guidance on patient travel expenses reimbursement is considered within the context of wider reform on access to health care which is already in progress. This will inform both how and when the review is taken forward.
In 2023 we prepared the draft Transport to Health plan and have been engaging with Health Boards, Regional Transport Partnerships and other partners to take forward a range of commitments to improve joined up working on transport to health. The plan will be published this Autumn and a workplan has been agreed.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 September 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 23 September 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains committed to reviewing the Highlands and Islands Patient Travel Scheme.
Answer
Regrettably, a start date for the review is not confirmed at this time. It is important that the review of the guidance on patient travel expenses reimbursement is considered within the context of wider reform on access to health care which is already in progress. This will inform both how and when the review is taken forward.
In 2023 we prepared the draft Transport to Health plan and have been engaging with Health Boards, Regional Transport Partnerships and other partners to take forward a range of commitments to improve joined up working on transport to health. The plan will be published this Autumn and a workplan has been agreed.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 September 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 23 September 2024
To ask the Scottish Government when the environmental assessment of the dualling of the A96 will be published.
Answer
It is expected that the draft outcomes from the Review, which includes a climate compatibility assessment and other impact assessments, will be consulted on this Autumn, before a final decision can be reached.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 16 September 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 23 September 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ban the installation of uPVC windows in conservation areas.
Answer
The Scottish Government has no plans to ban the installation of uPVC windows in conservation areas.
Following extensive consultation, and taking account of the need to address the cost and climate crises, new permitted development rights (PDR) were introduced in May this year. These PDR allow for (amongst other things) the alteration or replacement of windows without the need to apply for planning permission. The measures strike an appropriate balance between allowing owners/occupiers to improve the environmental performance of their properties whilst safeguarding the overall character and appearance of the historic environment.
Reflecting the importance of conservation areas, PDR for the alteration/replacement of windows on buildings in such areas, are subject to prior approval arrangements in some cases where the windows are located on the building’s front elevation or side elevation fronting a road. This enables planning authorities to consider the design and external appearance of proposed replacement windows
The new PDR do not apply in World Heritage Sites, and they do not remove any need for listed building consent. Additionally, planning authorities have the power to use an Article 4 direction to restrict PDR in certain locations should they consider that appropriate.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 September 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 23 September 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-28609 by Christina McKelvie on 6 August 2024, whether it can provide further detail on the process of developing the national specification for alcohol and drug treatment, including how stakeholders, including those with lived experience, will be involved in this process.
Answer
For the development of the national specification for alcohol and drug services, initial engagement has begun with representative groups covering service commissioners, service providers and people who use, have used or could use the services.
We have invited relevant stakeholders to be part of the national specification and overarching guidance reference group which we will continue to engage with during development. This includes stakeholders with lived experience.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 September 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 23 September 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether the definition of "rehabilitation" has been altered to include any form of "residential placement", in light of reported concerns that this potentially dilutes the understanding of what constitutes true rehabilitation.
Answer
No - we have set out a clear definition of what counts as residential rehabilitation and used it consistently since its publication in 2021.
The Scottish Government uses the Residential Rehabilitation Development Working Group definition of residential rehab as "facilities offering programmes which aim to support individuals to attain an alcohol or drug-free lifestyle and to be re-integrated into society, provide intensive psychosocial support and a structured programme of daily activities, and which residents are required to attend over a fixed period of time."
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 September 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 23 September 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-28615 by Christina McKelvie on 9 August 2024, whether it can provide more detail on any research gaps identified in the 2022 literature review, and how it plans to address any such gaps.
Answer
The Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland have worked collaboratively with stakeholders to establish an experimental core minimum dataset to support the monitoring and evaluation of the residential rehabilitation programme. It is expected that the first extracts will be published in December 2024, which will allow us to gauge the current status of the research gaps identified in 2022 and address those remaining as appropriate.
Further detail on the research gaps identified in the 2022 literature review can be found in pages 27-30 of the report. The report recommends further research in several areas, including impact on specific demographics and the differences between residential rehabilitation models.