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Clinical pathways are designed and delivered by individual NHS Boards in line with local service structures and population needs. The information requested is not held centrally.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.

Scotland relies on advice from the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent expert advisory group which informs decisions across the UK on national screening programmes. Only when it considers whether to recommend screening for a particular condition, the UK NSC has to consider a range of criteria, appraising the viability, effectiveness and appropriateness of a population screening programme. Only once it is satisfied that screening for a particular condition meets its criteria, and the evidence shows that the benefits of screening outweigh any potential harms, will the committee announce a positive recommendation.

The UK NSC has previously considered some genetic conditions, including Metachromatic leukodystrophy, that may lead to severe neurodegeneration in children, often referred to as ‘Childhood Dementia’. A full list of considered conditions, and whether screening for them is recommended, can be found here. To date, the UK NSC has not recommended screening for the genetic conditions that can cause ‘Childhood Dementia’. However, should the UK NSC make a positive recommendation for screening for one or more of these genetic conditions the Scottish Government will take advice on how best to implement any recommendations.

The UK NSC also welcomes proposals to consider new conditions for screening. These can be submitted to the UK NSC during their annual open call for topics. The next open call will be between 1 July 2026 to 30 September 2026, and guidance regarding submitting a proposal can be found here.

Responsibility for service delivery rests with NHS boards which configure services based on local circumstances and the reasonable needs of their populations.

The Scottish Government expects all NHS Boards to provide high-quality, safe and effective person-centred care and support for everyone, including people with postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS).

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43399 on 10 February 2026. 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.

I visited Caithness General Hospital on 30 July 2025 to meet with a range of stakeholders, including members of the Caithness Health Action Team.

The Caithness Health Action Team and other local community representatives play an important role in making sure the voices of women and families are heard. We expect NHS Boards to plan and provide safe, effective and high-quality care, in line with their statutory service provision and workforce planning responsibilities, which are dependent on the service needs of each Board taking account of national, regional and local priorities.

I chaired the inaugural meeting of the Scottish Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce on 29 January. The meeting brought together clinicians, service leaders, professional bodies, and third sector partners with a shared commitment to ensuring that every woman and baby receives safe, high-quality, and compassionate care.

At its first meeting, the Taskforce began developing its workplan and engagement strategy, including its approach to overseeing improvements in rural and island maternity services. Reviewing the issues facing rural communities, including Caithness and Stranraer, is one of the Taskforce’s priorities and will be taken forward in a structured and evidence-based manner. This work will be informed by the expertise of its members, grounded in the voices of lived experience and aligned with the principles of safe care as close to home as possible. A broad and diverse range of service users will be engaged as part of this process, including representatives from the Caithness Health Action Team.

Parliament will be kept updated on progress. The next meeting is scheduled for February.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43341 on 10 February 2026. 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.

Self-assessment for income tax is reserved to the UK Government, however given the devolved nature of childminding legislation and regulation, it is disappointing childminders in Scotland were not consulted regarding changes to the administration of the wear and tear tax relief allowance.

Scottish Ministers are considering the concerns raised by childminders and in correspondence from the Scottish Childminding Association and will make representations to the UK Government on behalf of Scottish childminders, recognising the reserved nature of self-assessment for income tax.

Our support for the childminding sector in 2025-26 included a further £1.6m funding for the Scottish Childminding Association to continue delivering a national programme of childminder recruitment and retention.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have been required by the Scottish Government to carry out visits to monitor fish welfare at the time of slaughter since 1 February 2022 and investigate any reported incidence of unacceptable methods being used.

APHA continues to inspect sites ensuring conformity with the guidance.

The Scottish Government does not hold exact data on the number of single-use vapes for which lithium has not been recovered due to the way those products and their waste are categorised. However, Zero Waste Scotland estimate that during the 52 weeks prior to April 2023, the number of single-use vapes consumed in Scotland was between 21 and 26 million units, each containing on average 0.15g of lithium. Our Strategic Environmental Assessment estimated that approximately 1% of single-use vapes returned to a shop or recycling centre across the UK were currently recycled due to a lack of capacity. Based on these figures, the estimated yearly tonnage of lithium not recovered from single-use vapes would be between 3.11 and 3.86 tonnes. This amounts to enough lithium to make around 400 electric vehicles per year.

It is now illegal to sell or supply single-use vapes in the course of business in Scotland. In 2025, a new category of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) was added to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 for vapes and electronic cigarettes to ensure producers of vape products are paying the appropriate amount for the collection, recycling, and safe disposal of used vapes. Waste vapes can be deposited at all Council household waste recycling centres where their separate collection and recycling will be funded at zero cost to the council.

Under the WEEE Regs all retailers of vapes must also offer in store takeback for waste vapes to their customers. The Office for Product Safety & Standards have undertaken extensive campaigns to raise awareness of this requirement. New targets for vape-specific collections will be introduced in 2026. This will also allow for more precise data on the number of vapes placed on the market and their end of life management. October 2026 will also see HMRC introduce excise duty on vapes which will help improve compliance of the vaping sector with all relevant legislation, including that related to waste and recycling.