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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-11924

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 04 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 24 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to ensure that all patients who present to their GP with symptoms of leukaemia receive a blood test as soon as possible, in light of this reportedly not being specifically covered in the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer.

A clinical refresh of the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer was completed in 2018 with revised clinical guidance published January 2019. The guidelines support primary care clinicians in ensuring those with symptoms suspicious of cancer are put on the right pathway at the right time.

The Scottish Government continues to work closely with primary care clinicians across NHS Scotland, including the Scottish Primary Care Cancer Group, to raise awareness of symptoms and best referral practice for all cancer types.

Scotland’s first three Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services are live, providing primary care with a new referral pathway for patients with non-specific symptoms i.e. fatigue, nausea, weight loss – this can often include patients with Haematological cancers. A suite of tests, including blood tests, are undertaken in primary care at the point of referral. The Scottish Government is committed to working towards equitable access to a RCDS across Scotland, for eligible patients.

Question reference: S6W-11872

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 24 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) adults and (b) children have been admitted to hospital with a primary diagnosis of asthma in (i) NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and (ii) NHS Ayrshire and Arran, in each year since 2010.

Asthma patient hospitalisations, age-sex standardised rate per 100,000

3 year rolling average	Ayrshire and Arran
	Rate	Numerator
2010-11 to 2012-13	112.55	423.33
2011-12 to 2013-14	111.16	419.00
2012-13 to 2014-15	117.72	439.33
2013-14 to 2015-16	113.08	420.67
2014-15 to 2016-17	118.08	439.67
2015-16 to 2017-18	123.96	461.00
2016-17 to 2018-19	130.07	479.67
2017-18 to 2019-20	133.05	489.33
2018-19 to 2020-21	106.34	389.00

3 year rolling average	Greater Glasgow and Clyde
	Rate	Numerator
2010-11 to 2012-13	105.78	1220.67
2011-12 to 2013-14	105.18	1215.00
2012-13 to 2014-15	108.62	1261.00
2013-14 to 2015-16	112.49	1310.33
2014-15 to 2016-17	113.27	1323.33
2015-16 to 2017-18	106.00	1241.67
2016-17 to 2018-19	99.69	1172.00
2017-18 to 2019-20	93.48	1109.00
2018-19 to 2020-21	80.13	955.67

Notes:

1. Patients discharged from hospital (annually) diagnosed with asthma: 3 year rolls average number and directly age-sex standardised rate per 100,000 population.

2. All rates are standardised against the European standard population (ESP2013) and 2011-base population estimates. Patient is selected only once per year, based on their first asthma related hospital admission for that year. Patient's demographic data (age, sex, location) are extracted from the first valid information within that stay.

Children (aged 0-15 years) hospitalised due to asthma, age-sex standardised rate per 100,000

3 year rolling average	Ayrshire and Arran
	Rate	Numerator
2010-11 to 2012-13	218.47	141.67
2011-12 to 2013-14	230.40	148.67
2012-13 to 2014-15	242.12	154.33
2013-14 to 2015-16	219.36	138.67
2014-15 to 2016-17	217.97	137.33
2015-16 to 2017-18	224.01	140.67
2016-17 to 2018-19	228.59	142.33
2017-18 to 2019-20	219.85	135.33
2018-19 to 2020-21	170.21	103.67

3 year rolling average	Greater Glasgow and Clyde
	Rate	Numerator
2010-11 to 2012-13	204.72	404.67
2011-12 to 2013-14	200.44	395.33
2012-13 to 2014-15	217.29	430.00
2013-14 to 2015-16	216.16	429.00
2014-15 to 2016-17	203.33	405.33
2015-16 to 2017-18	166.94	335.67
2016-17 to 2018-19	150.30	303.00
2017-18 to 2019-20	136.86	276.00
2018-19 to 2020-21	118.10	237.00

Notes: General acute inpatient and day case admissions for asthma in children aged 0-15 years; 3-year rolling average number and directly age-sex standardised rate per 100,000 population.

Source: PHS SMR01

This data is publicly available on ScotPHO’s profiles tool.

Additional data is also available in PHS’s annual Acute hospital activity and NHS beds information publication , which includes number of admissions by condition, age group and health board of residence (with asthma being one of the conditions).

3 year rolling average	Ayrshire and Arran
	Rate	Numerator
2010-11 to 2012-13	218.47	141.67
2011-12 to 2013-14	230.40	148.67
2012-13 to 2014-15	242.12	154.33
2013-14 to 2015-16	219.36	138.67
2014-15 to 2016-17	217.97	137.33
2015-16 to 2017-18	224.01	140.67
2016-17 to 2018-19	228.59	142.33
2017-18 to 2019-20	219.85	135.33
2018-19 to 2020-21	170.21	103.67

Question reference: S6O-01604

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 24 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress of the work of the National Audiology Review Group on examining hearing services in NHS boards across Scotland and providing recommendations for a national plan for improvement.

The National Audiology Review Group continues its independent review of services having most recently convened on 25 October. The Cabinet Secretary will shortly be meeting with the Review’s Chair for an update on their progress and their developing recommendations.

The review is pursuing four workstreams encompassing the lived experience, governance, quality assurance and education and will fully report in the new year.

Question reference: S6O-01637

Asked by: James Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 November 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any recent engagement it has had with the energy sector regarding support for those at risk of fuel poverty.

Question reference: S6O-01638

Asked by: Jenni Minto, MSP for Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 November 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what recent dialogue it has had with the UK Government regarding the potential impact on Scotland of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill.

Question reference: S6O-01636

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 November 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on any discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding infrastructure.

Question reference: S6O-01642

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 November 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to ban the installation of replacement fossil fuel boilers from 2025.

Question reference: S6O-01641

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 November 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address reported declining numbers of National 5 and Higher pupils taking STEM subjects in schools.

Question reference: S6O-01640

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 November 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how citizens can influence energy consent planning decisions made under the section 36 application process.

Question reference: S6O-01632

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 November 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether current funding provisions will enable local authorities to meet the standards in its housing strategy regarding social housing, including energy efficiency.