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We intend to open a Scottish Government Office in Warsaw within the lifetime of this Parliament. The office will contribute to a fairer, greener Scotland by promoting Scottish culture and expertise, attracting inward investment and fostering people-to people contacts between Scotland and Poland.

I replied to a similar question from the member on 15 June 2022 (S6W-08828) explaining that collision data for 2022 was not available at that time. Data on fatal and non-fatal road collisions for 2022 are still being collected and provisional figures will be available in May 2023. I will therefore be able to provide an update to the members’ question at that time.

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

Yes. The platform can be found at : Women's health | NHS inform

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring women can access appropriate contraception when and where they need it. Since November 2021, community pharmacies have been able to supply the progestogen-only pill for a 3-month period, if clinically appropriate to do so, and in line with a national Patient Group Direction (PGD). The national roll-out followed a successful pilot in pharmacies across Lothian and Tayside.

This availability of bridging contraception from community pharmacies enables women to access contraception without the need for a prescription and receive healthcare advice and treatment from their community pharmacist. Thereafter, individuals wishing to continue with a regular supply or access an alternative method of contraception, may contact their GP practice to request a repeat prescription or request an appointment to discuss their options.

Contraception can be obtained for free from:

• most GP surgeries

• community contraception clinics

• some genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics

• sexual health clinics

• some young people's services.

However, there are two brands of the progestogen-only available to purchase over the counter (OTC) in pharmacies, increasing choice for women in the ways in which they can access contraception.

The Women’s Health Plan, published in August 2021, contains an action to implement a Women’s Health Service in community pharmacies.

This service will be introduced on an incremental basis over the next few years. The first step was the introduction of bridging contraception in community pharmacies from November 2021.

The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland continues to promote the use of remote consultations, including NHS Near Me, as a means to support access to services and reduce the need to travel to appointments.

As an example of this support, Community Hubs are also being established in areas of Scotland where people could more easily attend and access appointments remotely. These Hubs provide a private space and equipment for members of the public to access digital services, such as video consultations.

More recently, Midwives in NHS Grampian have used Near Me Group s Consultations to provide Antenatal Classes which reduces the need for pregnant women to travel to their appointments. NHS Near Me has provided a short film which contains more information - Near Me Groups for Antenatal Classes, NHS Grampian - YouTube

As set out in the August 2021 Plan the establishment of a Women’s Health Research Fund is a long term action with a delivery timescale of three years or more from publication.

Establishing a Women’s Health Lead in every board is a medium term action in the Women’s Health Plan due for delivery by September 2024 . NHS Boards have begun the process of identifying their Women’s Health Lead.

A Sexual Health Digital Group has not yet been established, in recognition of the pressures facing the NHS as it recovers from the pandemic, and to avoid further demands on the time of the clinicians and NHS professionals who would be required to join.

However, to maintain momentum, the Scottish Government has continued to support digital solutions, including online testing and ePrEP. Additionally, much of the anticipated work that the Group would have taken forward will be addressed through other forums, such as the forthcoming update to the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework or through the refreshed Digital Health and Care Strategy. However, the establishment of the Group will remain under review and be stood up, should the need arise and resources permit.

A number of high-calibre candidates have been interviewed for this important role and the appointments process is in the final stages. Ministers will provide an update to Parliament shortly.