Seòmar agus comataidhean

Ensuring equitable access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) remains a priority for the Scottish Government. Our assessment of PrEP delivery models is informed by multi-sector engagement, expert advice from the HIV Transmission Elimination Delivery Plan Implementation Group and surveillance data published by Public Health Scotland (PHS).

The latest HIV in Scotland report from PHS highlights increased uptake of PrEP among women and trans people, alongside sustained demand among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. However, we recognise that further action is needed to increase awareness and uptake of PrEP, particularly among people who may face barriers to accessing sexual health services. In addition to funding the online PrEP (e-PrEP) clinic pilot, the Scottish Government’s HIV Transmission Elimination Delivery Plan sets out a range of actions to increase awareness of PrEP and explore alternative access routes, including primary care, community pharmacies and outreach-based models.

The Scottish Government is working at pace with participating NHS Boards and Public Health Scotland to deliver our Programme for Government commitment to roll out emergency department opt-out testing for blood borne viruses. Following a successful pilot at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, the first phase of the programme has been expanded to include NHS Grampian, where testing began in early October. Preparations are also underway in NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, where we expect testing to begin by March 2026.

NHS Inform helps women to access the information they need on a range of issues relating to their health. The Platform includes comprehensive information on polycystic ovary syndrome This includes an animation produced by the University of Edinburgh which provides an explanation of the condition in an easy to understand way including what polycystic ovaries are and their relevance in a diagnosis of PCOS.

To raise awareness of the condition and provide further information to women we worked with the Health and Social Care Alliance to deliver a series of webinars on menstrual health including a webinar on PCOS. This session explored the condition and how it is diagnosed, included information about polycystic ovaries as well as busting some common myths about the condition.

Each September we highlight the condition to the public by lighting our Scottish Government buildings to mark PCOS awareness month and utilise this opportunity to highlight the information available on NHS Inform.

Officials are engaging with UK Government counterparts with regard to the legislative competence of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill and discussions on proposals to resolve the issues the Scottish Government has raised are ongoing.

The Scottish Government will continue to keep the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee informed of progress. A copy of the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care’s most recent correspondence with the Committee is publicly available on the following webpage under 'Stage 2 Correspondence': Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill | Scottish Parliament Website.

Scottish Government decisions are informed by appropriate analysis of any legal considerations. All legal advice is confidential. It is a long-established convention that legal advice provided to the Scottish Government is not disclosed, and that the Scottish Government does not disclose the source of legal advice other than in the most exceptional circumstances.

The estimated cost to deliver the removal of peak fares is available in the ScotRail Peak Fares Permanent Removal Outline Business Case, published on Transport Scotland website: ScotRail Peak Fares Permanent Removal Outline Business Case

Any future predictions of the cost of delivery of this initiative must include variety of different factors, which naturally, may influence the annual cost.

There will be an evaluation of the project at the end of year 1 and year 3 which will assess the ongoing costs and impact of the scheme.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-41047 on 15 October 2025. 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 initial launch of MyCare.scot in Lanarkshire will allow people to securely access and manage some hospital appointments online, receive communications, find local services and update personal information.

While the timeline sets out an overview of our intentions for the progress on MyCare.scot, this may be subject to change based on a range of factors. This includes pilot outcomes, local readiness, technical performance, and user feedback. After the initial launch in Lanarkshire this December, we will publish more information on how we will scale and roll out across Scotland.

Scotland’s National Digital Platform (NDP) brings together cloud-based digital components and services. The technology available on the platform will improve consistency of access to core digital tools in the health and care system. MyCare.scot will make extensive use of the reuseable digital components and data services offered by NDP. The NDP is currently operational, and the member can read more about it at: https://www.nationaldigitalplatform.scot/about/.