Seòmar agus comataidhean

The latest data on people living with HIV in Scotland and not attending for HIV treatment and care can be found in Public Health Scotland’s (PHS) HIV in Scotland surveillance report, which is available at: https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/hiv-in-scotland/hiv-in-scotland-update-to-31-december-2023/.In their report, PHS noted that changes to service delivery during and since the COVID-19 pandemic mean that the reported proportion of diagnosed individuals receiving treatment may be an underestimate. Work is currently underway, led by PHS, to better understand the cohort of individuals who are no longer engaged with HIV specialist services and, therefore, not in receipt of treatment and care. This exercise will refine and improve the accuracy of this reporting and will inform the next phase of our HIV transmission elimination efforts beyond 2026.

The Scottish Government has committed to rolling out Emergency Department opt-out testing for blood borne viruses in the areas of highest diagnosed prevalence, which will identify undiagnosed patients as well as providing an opportunity to re-engage patients who are not currently in care.

(a) Enviro400EV – (SULEBs) 125, (ScotZEB) 59.

(b) Enviro200EV – (SULEBs) 82, (ScotZEB) 74.

(c) Enviro100EV – (SULEBs) 0, (ScotZEB) 21.

(d) Enviro400MMC – 0.

(e) Enviro200MMC – 0.

The peer review has now concluded and the feedback shared by the reviewers is currently under consideration by the research paper author, Mr Malcom McMillan. Once that process, and any further action needed has concluded, including consideration of the consultation, we will publish the paper and it remains that we expect to be able to do that no later than the end of this year.

The Scottish Government is engaging widely on the creation of a new approach to care and support for people impacted by alcohol. The recommendations made in the Public Health Scotland review of ABI are a key component of our engagement.

Our aim is to publish our new approach in 2026. This will include actions for re-affirming our commitment to brief interventions in all settings as well as how we will meet the recommendation to embed conversations about alcohol over 10 years.

The Scottish Government’s national guidance on Alcohol Brief Interventions (ABI) was last published in 2018.

In response to the national review of ABI we will be working with Public Health Scotland on refreshing and updating guidance and training advice as part of our new approach to alcohol care and support.

The Scottish Government is engaging widely on the creation of a new approach to care and support for people impacted by alcohol. That new approach will include plans for a national specification setting out the interventions required to reduce harm as well as improved standards for implementing those. Standards for alcohol care and support in the justice system are the same as standards in the community.

The Scottish Government has oversight groups in place to help provide national and local leadership with a clear steer on the services which need to be in place in all settings.

Specialist courts such as the Glasgow Alcohol Court are the responsibility of Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, rather than the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

There are other good practice examples of problem solving courts, including the Pan-Lanarkshire Alcohol and Drugs Problem Solving Court, which secured funding via the CORRA foundation and launched in December 2023.

If there was a desire to see this approach extended to other areas on the basis of evidence of effectiveness, we would be supportive.

The Scottish Government’s national guidance on Alcohol Brief Interventions (ABI) was last published in 2018. It includes advice on training as well as advice for carrying out and recording ABI in justice settings.

In response to the national review of ABI we will be working on updating this guidance and working with Public Health Scotland on refreshing and updating related advice as part of our new approach to alcohol care and support.

The Vessels and Ports Plan, published as part of the Islands Connectivity Plan, indicates delivery of new tonnage to replace the three NIFS Ro-Pax vessels is expected within Phase 3 (2031-2036). Work on planning for and procuring their replacements will commence during Phase 1(2021-2026). The outline business case for the replacement vessels, including concept design work and project cost estimates, is expected to be presented to Transport Scotland and then Ministers in 2026. The specific timeline of business case activity, procurement and delivery is still currently being developed and will be dependent upon resource, required approvals and available funding.

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-39215 on 30 July 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.