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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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S6W-42000

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 27 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) average and (b) longest recorded time for an NHS 24 111 callback was in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S6W-41998

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 27 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have spent more than (a) four, (b) eight, and (c) 12 hours on a trolley while waiting for (i) treatment and (ii) admission in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S6W-41995

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 27 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it collects data on the number of callers who report being unable to access care after multiple attempts to contact NHS 24 or other health services.

The Scottish Government does not collect data on the number of callers who report being unable to access care after multiple attempts to contact NHS 24.

The Scottish Government continues to support NHS 24, including revising performance indicators to better reflect demand and improve service delivery. Over the past two financial years, NHS 24 has received £28.3 million in additional funding, enabling the recruitment of 22 extra clinicians and achieving its highest-ever treatment capacity.

Question reference: S6W-41996

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 27 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what is the longest recorded time a patient has spent on a trolley in a hospital corridor or emergency department in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S6W-41965

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 27 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how the revised Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) methodology will recognise the contribution of solar thermal installations to energy efficiency.

Our updated response to the 2023 Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) reform consultation and 2025 technical consultation sets out the timeline for introducing a new calculation methodology called the Home Energy Model (HEM) which is under development by the UK Government.

HEM is a modular EPC methodology which will allow greater flexibility to account for new technologies. The UK Government’s documentation for HEM currently includes reference to solar thermal systems associated with reducing energy use for domestic hot water (document HEM-TP-09). We will continue working with UK Government as they develop the final version of HEM, and expect that contributions from solar thermal systems will be recognised within HEM.

The reformed domestic EPC will contain a new Heating System Rating. We expect solar thermal systems will largely operate as part of a hybrid system with other technologies. This will be reflected in the rating awarded. Our intended Heating System Rating bandings were published in the updated Government Response.

Question reference: S6W-41867

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 27 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will publish a timetable for the Community Needs Assessment of the (a) Ardrossan- (i) Brodick and (ii) Campbeltown route and (b) all other routes in the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (third generation) (CHFS3) contract, as required by the Islands Connectivity Plan.

The Community Needs Assessments (CNAs) for Arran (including the Ardrossan-Brodick route) and Campbeltown are part of a wider programme of assessments for Clyde and Kintyre routes plus Islay, Jura and Gigha, and are scheduled to be carried out during 2026.

CNAs are underway for routes within the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service. These include assessments for Coll, Colonsay, Iona, Kerrera, Lismore, Mull, Tiree, and the Sounds of Barra and Harris services. These assessments are expected to be completed by summer 2026. CNAs for the Outer Hebrides (mainland routes), Small Isles, Skye and Raasay are scheduled to commence later this year.

Question reference: S6W-42002

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 27 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce callback waiting times for the NHS 24 111 service.

The Scottish Government continues to invest in and support NHS 24 as a vital part of Scotland’s health and care system. Over the past two financial years, NHS 24 has received more than £26.9 million in additional funding to increase its capacity and improve patient access.

More than 100 new call handlers have been recruited, bringing staffing close to full levels to reduce handling times and manage demand.

Additionally, NHS 24 launched its digital transformation programme on 21 October 2025 to modernise services, improve patient experience, streamline clinical pathways, and ensure faster access to appropriate care.

Question reference: S6W-41993

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 27 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance (a) NHS 24 and (b) other NHS boards follow to ensure that repeat callers seeking medical care receive timely support.

NHS 24 operate under clear, evidence-based clinical protocols that are designed to safeguard patient safety and ensure timely access to care. These include a structured triage system, clinical decision support tools, and escalation pathways for urgent or complex cases, which apply equally to repeat callers.

The Scottish Government monitors compliance with these protocols and expects NHS 24 to adhere to them rigorously. Detailed information on specific guidance may be obtained from NHS 24.

Question reference: S6W-42001

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 27 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of NHS 24 111 callbacks were completed within target times in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S6W-41934

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 27 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its recent commitment to develop official guidance on the welfare of farmed fish, what steps it will take to provide prescriptive detail on meeting welfare obligations, and what consultation process will be undertaken with relevant stakeholders.