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No consulting firm has been hired or paid to oversee the implementation of the Best Start programme for maternity and neonatal care. The Best Start Implementation Programme Board (IPB), Chaired by Jane Grant, Chief Executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde was established in June 2017 to guide the implementation of The Best Start: A Five-Year Plan for Maternity and Neonatal Care in Scotland.

Members of the IPB are drawn from NHSScotland, third sector organisations, Partnership and Royal Colleges. Members are not paid; however, third sector representative have been reimbursed for travel expenses.

A range of support was available for students receiving their exam results, including:

• The SQA Candidate Advice Helpline, which was open from 6 to 9 August, answered queries relating to Scottish Qualifications Certificates.
• The SDS Results Helpline which provides young people, parents and carers, with career information, expert advice and guidance on the wide range of post-school options and pathways available was also open from 6 to 9 August.
• A free and direct appeals service is available giving all young people the right to request a review of their marked exam papers or coursework for their National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher results this year, including a priority service for young people with a conditional offer of a place in university, college, training or employment that depends on their grade.
• Information for young people on how to look after their emotional wellbeing, including support and tips on how to promote a positive mindset are also available on the Young Scot website.

We would encourage all young people to discuss any concerns about their next steps and progression with their teachers or lecturers who know them best.

The Scottish Government continues to work closely with Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) to maximise apprenticeship opportunities and ensure that employers wishing to take on an apprentice are supported and able to do so.

Scottish Government investment will support up to 25,500 new Modern Apprenticeship starts in 2024-25 and continue to provide support for more than 38,500 apprentices already in training.

For Graduate Apprenticeships (GA), SFC have published their indicative funding allocation for universities, which includes provision for up to 1,378 GA in academic year 2024-25. In addition, we have committed to fund up to 5,000 Foundation Apprenticeships in 2024-25.

The Women’s Health Champion, Professor Anna Glasier, has highlighted the impact of polycystic ovarian syndrome and its effect on women as one of her priorities.

Given the impact PCOS can have on women’s lives, and in particular the way in which symptoms such as these can affect relationships, work, education and mental health, we have ensured that our Women’s Health Platform on NHS Inform provides accurate and comprehensive information about PCOS including the options for care, treatment and support.

The Platform also offers a wide range of information to support people with their mental health including a self-help guide focussed on menstrual health and mental health.

The health and wellbeing of women at work is an important element of fair work. Our policy approach is informed by evidence and findings from a range of expert stakeholders. This includes the 2023 survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) which recommends employers provide appropriate workplace culture, environments and support that are menstruation friendly. These can increase employee attendance, and also legitimise absence where this is needed.

In addition, we have worked in partnership with the University of Glasgow on the ground-breaking study "Advancing Menopause and Menstrual Health in Organisations (AMMInO): A National Study of Employees in Health and Social Care".

Over 6,000 NHSScotland staff responded to the staff survey which informed the NHSScotland Menopause and Menstrual Health Workplace Policy, launched in October 2023. This policy and accompanying supporting resources are available on the National Wellbeing Hub which is accessible to the public.

Neonatal clinical outcomes data is gathered from neonatal units in Scotland and routinely published by Public Health Scotland on their Scottish Pregnancy, Births and Neonatal Data Dashboard. The National Neonatal Audit Programme run by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health also provides a further level of detailed comparable neonatal clinical outcomes data for units in England, Scotland and Wales on their Data Dashboard, and in their annual reports.

The Review of Maternity and Neonatal Services was led by a review group consisting of representatives from the key professional groups involved in managing and delivering maternity and neonatal services, representatives of the Scottish Government, staff side organisations, Royal Colleges, third sector representatives and academics working in maternal and infant health research.

The full membership of the Review group can be found in Appendix E of The Best Start: A Five Year Forward Plan for Maternity and Neonatal Care in Scotland, and membership of Sub Groups and their remit in Appendix F.

The Scottish Government has not provided any funding to the Stroke Association in the last five years.

Matters of parliamentary reform, including changes in relation to the position on parliamentary privilege, are primarily for Parliament to develop and consider.

The Scottish Government would consider proposals put before Parliament.

The Scottish Government has provided the following funding to Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland:

2020-21 financial year - £952,444

2021-22 financial year - £218,996

2022-23 financial year - £379,685

2023-24 financial year – No funding provided in this financial year.

2024-25 financial year - £62,639