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The development of the pilot e-prep clinic is in the early stages and is likely to involve a staged approach.

As this is a complex project, involving significant IT and clinical expertise to deliver well, it is not yet possible to provide a definitive start date. The development work that’s currently underway will determine the scale, start date and duration of the initial pilot. While we expect significant progress to be made in the coming months, it is important that when we launch the pilot we ensure that it is fit for purpose and will meet the highest standards of patient safety.

As I committed to during the Parliamentary Debate on World Aids Day, the Scottish Parliament will be provided with an annual report regarding the progress made towards the goal of ending HIV transmission within Scotland by 2030.

This information is not held centrally.

Winter service operations are delivered as a fixed monthly lump sum item from October to May which covers all the elements including depot facilities, operatives, fleet, fuel and salt procurement. Transport Scotland’s Operating Companies price the contract delivery over the entire period of the contract to include the element of risk in relation to salt usage and as such Transport Scotland do not directly procure salt for winter service operations on the trunk road network.

Contracts between the Operating Companies and the salt suppliers are subject to commercial sensitivity based on arrangements over the respective Scottish Ministers Contract Period and Transport Scotland is not subject to the value of any commercial agreements which are arrived at.

The annual sums which are paid for winter service by Scottish Ministers is as follows:

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

The Scottish Government is working in partnership with SPS to ensure that the revised Strategy aligns with the planned Scottish Government Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and any other relevant strategies.

The information recorded is for internal management purposes only, however we are exploring how best to make it publicly available.

I refer the member to the answer to questions S6W-13962 and S6W-13990 on 31 January 2023. 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

Scotland’s Digital Health and Care Strategy sets out a commitment to “work with partners to ensure patients and residents of health and care services have full access to free wi-fi, both bedside and in public areas within healthcare settings”.

As mentioned in answer to question S6W-13982 on 31 January 2023 a number of programmes being taken forward in Scotland that support the use of asynchronous communication. Whilst it is therefore not possible to give an exact figure related to asynchronous communication only, since the publication of the Digital Health & Care Strategy in October 2021 to December 2022, the Sottish Government has invested around £2 million in relevant systems.

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

The latest trunk road Network Management Contracts (NMCs) in the two northern units commenced on 16 th August 2022. Both contracts are contracted to run for a minimum eight years and include the trunk roads in the Highlands and Islands. The focus on the new contracts strives for increased quality and innovation which delivers best winter practice in Scotland, serving communities and businesses by operating a safe and efficient network. Overall, from a winter service perspective, there have been significant changes delivered by the NMC contracts. These include enhancing our operational responses during snow events with a particular focus on vulnerable locations, extension of patrol routes as well as a proactive approach in treating our footways. To provide a joined-up approach where trunk road and local authority footpaths intersect, our Operating Companies consult with each respective local authority to agree levels of service provided.

Defects on roads, including potholes, can appear as the result of a number of factors, and it is up to roads authorities to maintain roads that they are responsible for. On the trunk road network, the Operating Companies are required to complete regular safety inspections and safety patrols. Their inspection teams are on the network to identify defects, including potholes, prioritise them based on the potential risk to road safety and where possible repair them or call for back-up.

While specific winter plans sit with Scotland’s Railway delivery partners (Network Rail, ScotRail, and other train and freight operators) Transport Scotland continue to engage with the industry to ensure plans are developed and delivered as required.

Established in 2001; led and managed by Scottish Enterprise, GlobalScot is a worldwide network of business professionals, entrepreneurs, business leaders and community figureheads, who have a connection to Scotland and work voluntarily to help the wider Scottish business community thrive internationally by providing market intelligence, connections and mentorship. They also act as advisors and advocates in promoting Scotland as a place to live, work, invest and study. GlobalScots were vital in the development of the National Strategy for Economic Transformation, and Sector Export Plans as well as in supporting the delivery of Scotland’s Inward Investment Plan.

As, this is an operational matter for the Scottish Enterprise, who administers the GlobalScot network. I have asked their Chief Executive to respond.

All Ministerial engagements and travel information (including costs) are proactively released 3 months in arrears and available here Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Scottish Government officials make provisional overseas travel plans as part of official government business diary management and planning for Ministers. Until the date of the visit, these are provisional and contingent on Parliamentary Business and other commitments and issues arising.