Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02989 on‎ 27 September 2021. 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 Scottish Government welcomes the Migraine Trust report as an important document setting out some of the difficulties faced by people living with migraine. At the start of this year the Modernising Patients Pathway Programme (MPPP) initiated a Headache Management Pathway. This process is well underway, focusing initially on migraine. This developing pathway addresses key areas outlined in the Migraine Trust report and has representation from pharmacy, general practice, emergency medicine and neurology. I understand that the migraine section is due to be completed by the end of 2021 and will review the Migraine Trust report as part of that process.

More widely, the Centre for Sustainable Delivery continues to support work on Active Clinical Referral Triage. This works aims to ensure that patients with neurological conditions who require appointments most urgently are seen as soon as possible, while those who may not benefit from a Consultant appointment are returned to the GP with advice and guidance. The Centre is also working to expand Discharge Patient Initiated Review, which aims to avoid unnecessary return appointments, again supporting access for those patient who need to be seen in a timely manner.

As indicated in the report, a majority of the responding NHS health boards have reported having a headache service. Within smaller health boards, this may be as part of a general neurology service, or a referral route to one of the tertiary services.

To support workforce capacity and planning, Scottish Government will publish a National Workforce Strategy by the end of this year, which supports the remobilisation, recovery and renewal of Health and Social Care Services. The Strategy will articulate a long-term health and social care workforce vision, alongside our priorities for workforce growth, recruitment, retention, training and development, and will build upon our ongoing work to support Boards’ workforce capacity.

Officials recently met with the Migraine Trust to discuss current issues regarding migraine care in Scotland and potential areas for future progress and partnership working, and the Scottish Government is happy to work further with stakeholders in raising awareness of Migraine Awareness Week going forward.

Information on dementia patients being moved between wards at night (boarding) in each year since 1999 is not collected or held centrally

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02989 on‎ 27 September 2021. 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

We expect NHS Boards to ensure that people with osteoporosis, including those who may be awaiting a bone-density scan, have timely access to high-quality care as set out in the SIGN guideline Management of osteoporosis and the prevention of fragility fractures.

On 25 August we launched our NHS Recovery Plan which is backed by more than £1bn of investment over the next five years. The plan sets out how we will invest more than £400m to create a network of 10 National Treatment Centres across Scotland, increasing capacity for planned elective procedures and diagnostic care. The plan takes forward our aim of increasing NHS capacity by at least 10% as quickly as possible in order to address the backlog of care and meet the ongoing healthcare needs for people across the country.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02919 on‎ 27 September 2021. 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 age ranges for each of the screening programmes, including the breast screening programme, are based on evidence about the risks and benefits of screening people at different ages. They are developed in line with advice from the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent expert advisory group which informs decisions taken across the UK on screening programmes, including those taken by the Scottish Government. Currently their recommendation is to invite women aged between 50 and 70 for routine breast screening every three years.

The UK NSC review their recommendations as new evidence that could improve outcomes emerges. The previous review cycle for the breast screening programme was completed in 2019 and the next cycle is estimated to complete in 2022-2023.

Women over the age of 71 usually have the option to self-refer into the breast screening programme, however this option is currently paused to allow the programme to recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and will resume as soon as capacity allows.

In the meantime, it remains important for women at any age to be aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and to report any concerns to a GP so that these can be thoroughly investigated. More information on symptoms can be found on the NHS Inform website at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/cancer/cancer-types-in-adults/breast-cancer-female#symptoms-of-breast-cancer.

The Scottish Government and all associated agencies, are currently working towards the targets set out in the 2019-20 Programme for Government, where we outlined our commitment to phase out the need for all petrol or diesel cars in the public sector fleet by 2025 and for all other new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030.