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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-08372

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how patient confidentiality is ensured in connection with the use of GP DACS (General Practice Digital Asynchronous Consultation Systems), in light of some NHS Scotland GP practices reportedly using such systems.

As outlined in my reply to your letter dated 28 April 2022, I can assure you that the Scottish Government takes the security of patient information and data extremely seriously. I can confirm that there are robust Digital Security and Governance procedures that apply to any procurement activity within the NHS. Local NHS boards or practices are responsible for compliance in the form of a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) and System Security Policy (SSP).

I can also advise that all Health Boards in Scotland have been advised of the national approach being taken to the provision of a 'once for Scotland' GP DACS. Boards are aware that a national steering group is overseeing this development and has established a ‘pathfinder’ approach to better understand the level of demand, market maturity and benefits and impact before seeking to agree a national approach. Guidance will be developed and issued as part of the pathfinder programme.

As part of the pathfinder programme guidance will developed and issued to NHS Boards on GP DACS. However, I should clarify that Near Me is not an asynchronous model (as it only provides real-time video consultations) and that AskMyGP has been procured at a local level and does not fall under the remit of the national programme.

The expenditure on local adoption of GP DACS is not currently monitored at a national level given the variation in different approaches and systems that are currently in use for online triage and asynchronous consultations. We expect to develop a clearer picture of this as we develop the approach to national GP DACS.

Question reference: S6W-08373

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what advice it has provided to NHS boards about the use of GP DACS (General Practice Digital Asynchronous Consultation Systems).

I can advise that all Health Boards in Scotland have been advised of the national approach being taken to the provision of a 'once for Scotland' GP DACS. Boards are aware that a national steering group is overseeing this development and has established a ‘pathfinder’ approach to better understand the level of demand, market maturity and benefits and impact before seeking to agree a national approach. Guidance will developed and issued as part of the pathfinder programme.

Question reference: S6W-08294

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether secondary schools are a high-risk environment regarding COVID-19 infection for teachers (a) aged 68 and over who have a cancer history and (b) with a spouse who is on the highest risk list, and whether it will provide free lateral flow tests in secondary schools.

The COVID-19 Advisory Sub-Group on Education and Children’s Issues noted in its recently published evidence summary , that the evidence continues to indicate that teachers do not have an increased risk of severe disease. Guidance for all schools has been updated to reflect public health guidance on symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19 and we are asking ask people to continue to take sensible, basic steps in order to protect themselves and others in the same way as we do within shops and on public transport.

In relation to those who are clinically vulnerable, the Scottish Government announced on 27 April that we will formally end the Highest Risk List on 31 May 2022. The success of the vaccination programme, and availability of new medicines to treat Covid-19, mean the majority of people on the list are at no greater risk from Covid-19 than the rest of the population in Scotland.

The Chief Medical Officer has for some time advised people on the Highest Risk List to follow the same advice as the rest of the population unless advised otherwise by their GP or clinician. This applies equally to household members of people on the list and includes going into schools and early learning and childcare settings. He has also advised people whose immune system is suppressed to take extra care and follow the advice of their GP or clinician as they would have done before the pandemic.

At this stage in the pandemic it is no longer considered necessary or proportionate to continue to ask school staff and secondary pupils to test regularly. This is in line with advice from Public Health Scotland, senior clinicians and the Advisory Sub-group on Education and Children’s Issues. That advice makes clear that the population currently has much stronger protection against COVID-19 than at any other point in the pandemic, due to the vaccination programme (levels of vaccination are very high amongst school staff) and the development of natural immunity to the infection. In contrast to the position when the testing programme was first introduced, severe health outcomes for all age groups are far less likely to arise due to this protection, availability of and access to antiviral treatments, and increased scientific and public understanding about how to manage risk.

Question reference: S6W-08377

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when the Physical Intervention Working Group last met, and when the group will submit its recommendations to ministers.

The Scottish Government is working with partners, including the Children and Young People’s Commissioner, on new human rights-based non-statutory guidance to minimise the use of restraint in schools.

The physical intervention working group began work on the new guidance in January 2020. Progress was affected by group members’ focus on the Covid-19 response. However, work resumed in June 2020 and positive progress has been made since then. The working group last met on 23 November 2021. Following that meeting, working group members reached agreement by correspondence that the draft guidance can be put to public consultation. The Scottish Government is currently preparing this consultation.

Details of the membership and notes of the meetings of the physical intervention working group are available on the Scottish Government’s website: Physical Intervention Working Group - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

Question reference: S6W-08463

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many MS specialist nurses were in post in each of the last five years.

Information on the number of MS specialist nurses were in post in each of the last five years is not centrally held.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) data by NHS Board from 2009 to the most recent data published in September 2018, can be found at:

https://turasdata.nes.nhs.scot/media/4ndpx4za/clinical_nurse_specialists_s2018.xlsx

Given data quality concerns all historical data, whilst published, should be treated with caution.

A national review into the CNS role and definition is currently underway, NES will work with NHS Boards to cleanse their CNS data once this is complete.

Question reference: S6W-08470

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, how many (a) emergency calls and (b) ambulance call-outs recorded in the Scottish Ambulance Service call log have included the field search "abortion", in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S6W-08467

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that the pyramid of support, as outlined in its neurological care and support framework, is effectively implemented for MS patients throughout the Western Isles, in light of reports that such patients often require complex tailored packages of care and support, which may rely on treatment that is unavailable in that area.

The Board is ensuring the pyramid of support for patients with MS by working in partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Neurology Service who provide a specialist neurology service through a Service Level Agreement. The NHS Western Isles Neurology Team has weekly discussions with their NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde colleagues to discuss the Team’s caseload.

NHS Western Isles is also working to meet Commitment 9 in the Neurological care and support: framework for action 2020-2025, namely testing innovative ways of delivering health and social care, including new roles and new arrangements for co-ordinating care and support for people with neurological conditions such as MS.

The Board also aims to recruit to an Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist – Neurology role who will work with the current Parkinson’s specialist nurse to support people with neurological conditions including MS that require specialist support, ensuring equity of care.

Question reference: S6T-00722

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 16 May 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its reaction is to the reported awarding of almost £1 million compensation from Police Scotland to an ex-officer following an employment tribunal ruling of victimisation.

Question reference: S6T-00713

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 May 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the anticipated delivery date of the ferries under construction at Ferguson Marine, in light of recent reports that the number of faults in the two vessels has risen.

Question reference: S6T-00711

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 May 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the investigation into the recent spike in deaths of newborn babies.