- Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 13 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 5 January 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether the expert group to identify the capacity needs of NHS boards and staff that it committed to establishing in Scotland's Long Covid Service has been created, and, if so, what work it has carried out.
Answer
The Scottish Government has commissioned National Services Division (NSD) to undertake a programme of activity to assist in identifying the capacity needs of NHS Boards and staff in delivering safe, effective and person-centred support for people with long COVID.
As part of this activity, a Short Life Working Group on managing the long-term effects of COVID-19 was set up. The Short Life Working Group identified the need to establish a Strategic Network to support the delivery of the policy framework outlined in ‘Scotland’s Long COVID Service’, which includes exploring how a care co-ordination model might be able to enhance the way in which primary, community and secondary care services work together in order to meet the needs of people living with complex needs as a result of long COVID.
The Strategic Network will then support experts, clinicians and lived experience and will have a key role in identifying and ensuring that the £10m long COVID Support Fund is targeted at areas where this additional resource is most needed and can make the biggest impact.
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 5 January 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has taken to (a) ensure that private COVID-19 test providers on its approved supplier list are legitimate businesses, (b) conduct regular due diligence of and review of the regulations that govern the private providers on its approved supplier list, (c) remove private suppliers from its approved supplier list if they do not fulfil their contractual obligations, and (d) inform customers on how to report unscrupulous private providers that do not provide PCR tests within the two-day required time period.
Answer
The list of private providers is owned by the UK Government. All providers included on the list must complete or be working towards full United Kingdom Accreditation Service accreditation. If a provider does not complete this or fails the accreditation then they are removed from the list.
Officials continue to work with UK Government to monitor performance of private tests providers. This is done at the private testing provider working group with the Department of Health and Social Care and the devolved administrations, which meet every 2 weeks.
The providers have various standards to meet, which are defined in our regulations and the key performance indicators (KPIs) that are set on turnaround times, customer service and sequencing requirements. Any provider not achieving these standards or engaging in unethical practices are removed from the list.
If individuals are having or have had an issue with a private test provider, they should first report this back to the provider. If they are not satisfied with this then they can submit a complaint here: https://enquiries.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/s/enquiries where the complaint will be investigated.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 10 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 5 January 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what additional support it is offering specialist dermatology services in the diagnosis and management of suspected skin cancer.
Answer
A clinical refresh of the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer has been completed with revised guidance published in January 2019. The Guidelines support primary care clinicians in ensuring those with symptoms suspicious of cancer are put on the right pathway at the right time, including possible skin cancers.
In December 2021, the Scottish Government published a refreshed Framework for Effective Cancer Management. This Framework provides NHS Cancer Teams with the tools to effectively manage USC patients from the point of referral to first treatment to improve patient experience and cancer waiting times. Tailored support will be provided to all NHS Boards to ensure the eight key elements are embedded, where relevant, across cancer pathways and specialties, including dermatology.
The Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) is working with a number of Health Boards to implement the Digital Dermatology app, which allows patients to interact with a clinician at a time convenient to them, without having to attend hospital. This will support dermatology teams in conducting more virtual appointments. CfSD also supports a Dermatology Pathways app and website which provides clinically validated pathway information to GPs and other health professionals for many of the most common skin conditions, with the aim of supporting access for patients who most need treatment in the most appropriate care setting. As part of this, CfSD is working with the British Association of Dermatologists to increase the number of pathways covered by this approach.
- Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 5 January 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote (a) public ownership, (b) integration and (c) the use of renewable energy in the public transport system.
Answer
We are pressing ahead to put in place arrangements to mobilise a wholly owned company of the Scottish Government to provide ScotRail services within the public sector under Scottish Government control. The revised arrangements will start when the current franchise expires as expected on 31 March 2022.
For bus services, the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 provides viable options for partnership working, franchising and wider powers for local transport authorities to run their own buses (and which sit alongside their existing ability to subsidise services). We have allocated £1 million in the draft Scottish Budget for development of the Community Bus Fund in 2022-23. This will support local transport authorities to improve local bus services and to explore the full range of options set out in the 2019 Act. In administering the fund, we and local transport authorities will need to observe competition, procurement and subsidy control rules.
The development of an integrated transport network is being guided by our National Transport Strategy, and the Strategic Transport Projects Review process is identifying investment priorities which will support this and help to deliver our commitment to create an inclusive and net zero emissions economy.
As the amount of renewable energy being produced in Scotland increases, so does the amount available to the public transport system. Already 75% of rail journeys are being undertaken via electrical traction, and we have given significant funding to zero emission buses, introducing diesel-electric hybrid vehicle carrying ferries, and promoting electric vehicles. We believe Scotland’s approach to transport decarbonisation – which focuses not only the transition to clean technology but also on reducing demand and encouraging behaviour shift – is an example of world-leading best practice and is central to our green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Asked by: Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 20 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 24 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether, according to the Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland 2020-21, taxes generated are greater or less than total public expenditure.
Answer
Information on the levels of tax and expenditure in the Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland 2020-21 publication is set out at: Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland 2020-21 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 24 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-10494 by Roseanna Cunningham on 15 August 2017, which of the 42 formal flood protection schemes or engineering works are (a) under construction and (b) at the planning or other stage of development, broken down by (i) the expected completion date, including the reason for any date being beyond 2021, (ii) the number of properties that will be protected and (iii) the (A) initial forecast and (B) final expected cost of each.
Answer
The 2015 - 2021 Flood Risk Management Strategies included 42 formal flood protection schemes. Local authorities are expected to start work on development of these schemes by 2021. However as flood protection schemes can have significant impacts on individuals, communities and the environment, and so require careful and detailed planning and consultation, it is recognised that construction work may not be completed within the 2015-2021 timeframe.
Schemes (a) under construction are as follows:
Scheme | (ii) Properties protected | (i) Completion Date | (iii A) Initial cost (£ million) (1) | ( iii B) Estimated final cost (£ million) (2) |
Broughty Ferry | 450 | 2022 | 10.0 | 16.3 |
Upper Garnock | 600 | 2022 | 15.5 | 18.5 |
Kirkintilloch - Park Burn | 70 | Not held | 0.4 | 0.4 |
Hawick | 970 | 2023 | 37.4 | 78.6 |
Drumnadrochit | 24 | Not held | 3.4 | 5.7 |
Stonehaven | 376 | 2023 | 19.9 | 27.5 |
Schemes (b) under development are as follows:
Scheme | Stage | (ii) Properties protected | (iii A) Initial cost (£ million) (1) | ( iii B) Estimated Final Cost of Scheme (2) |
Kilmacolm – Glenmosston Burn | Confirmed (3) | Not held | 0.5 | 0.5 |
Comrie | Confirmed (3) | 200 | 15.7 | 28.4 |
Millport Coastal | Confirmed (3) | 657 | 12.1 | 27.5 |
Campbeltown | Confirmed (3) | 770 | 9.3 | 10.6 |
Arbroath | Confirmed (3) | 530 | 11.4 | 13.5 |
Caol and Lochyside | Confirmed (3) | 296 | 8.4 | 15.7 |
Dumbarton - Gruggies Burn | Confirmed (3) | 370 | 14.5 | 20.0 |
Quarrier’s Village | Confirmed (3) | 60 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
Dumfries - Whitesands | Confirmed (3) | 166 | 18.9 | 30.8 |
Water of Leith (Coltbridge, Gorgie, Saughton) Phase 3 | Confirmed (3) | 75 | Not held | Not held |
Mill Burn Millport | Confirmed (3) | 124 | 1.1 | 1.3 |
Grangemouth FPS | Under development | 2980 | 111.5 | 420 (4) |
St Andrews - Kinness Burn | Under development | 133 | 3.2 | 3.2 |
Musselburgh | Under development | 2500 | 8.9 | 42.1 |
South Fords | Under development | 58 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
Milnathort | Under development | 79 | 1.9 | 2.2 |
Stranraer | Under development | 350 | 0.4 | 1.2 |
Langholm | Under development | 200 | 2.0 | 9.9 |
Newton Stewart/ River Cree | Under development | 270 | 7.5 | 12.5 |
South Kinross | Under development | Not held | 3.2 | 3.8 |
Scone | Under development | 44 | 0.7 | 0.8 |
Bridge of Allan | Under development | Not held | 4.4 | 5.8 |
Haddington | Under development | 320 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
Stirling | Under development | 810 | 26.2 | 42.6 |
Callander | Under development | 30 | 2.4 | 4.7 |
(1) Note: Initial costs as provided by local authorities in 2016-17.
(2) Note: Final Scheme costs are the latest estimates provided by local authorities. Differences between these latest estimates and initial cost estimates arise because flood protection schemes are put forward for prioritisation at various stages of their development to fit with Flood Risk Management Planning cycle set out in the FRM Act. Costs are revised over time as designs are finalised and more detailed investigations are carried out (e.g. site investigation, utility investigation, hydraulic modelling), and as new information emerges (e.g. new flood mapping, climate projections, new source of risk, landownership challenges). Outcomes from community engagement and changes to price and supply of materials may also require revisions to cost estimates.
Schemes will only be taken forward for construction if they receive the necessary statutory and regulatory approvals (e.g. Confirmation under the FRM Act (2009), Planning Permission, Licensing under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) Regulations (2011)) so the expected completion date is not yet known.
More detailed information on each of the schemes can be obtained from the relevant Local Authorities whose responsibility it is to develop and deliver flood protection schemes and who are best placed to answer specific questions on each of the schemes.
The Scottish Government guarantees £42m a year to flood risk management through the general capital grant and has committed to an additional £150 m over the next 5 years. This is a 70% increase to the flood risk management budget.
Local Authorities may also provide additional funding from their own budgets or seek funding from other sources, for example the private sector.
(3) Note: Formally confirmed under Flood Risk Management Act (2009).
(4) Note: The reasons for cost variations set out in Note 2 also apply to Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme. The presence of critical national infrastructure (port, refinery and fuel distribution) and the scale of the overall project (27km of defences) means that the variation may be larger than other flood protection schemes.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Ash Regan on 23 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to (a) calls for a significant and meaningful increase in legal aid funding and (b) the reported comments of the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association that the criminal defence bar is unable to compete with the salaries offered by public bodies, in particular the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, which is leading to younger members continuing to leave criminal defence work in significant numbers.
Answer
a) Since 2019 the Scottish Government has increased legal aid fees by 8% with a further 5% committed to in early 2022. This is a total rise of 13% set against a backdrop of difficult public finances and compares well to public sector pay increases. The 5% plus 5% increases are part of an over £20m package of support for legal aid providers, in the context of the COVID pandemic. This included a £9m grant fund, payments for which were completed in September 2021 and £1m for legal aid trainees over this and next year.
The legal aid Fund is demand-led and is not cash limited. The report of the Independent Review of Legal Aid, published in 2018, found that Scotland’s legal aid system benchmarked well against other countries. The report set a long-term vision for reform. The Scottish Government has committed to bring forward reforms, including a Legal Aid Reform Bill, during this parliament.
b) With reference to pay comparisons, legal aid providers are private firms. Salaries and terms and conditions are a matter for each business. However, we are committed to the future sustainability of the legal aid system. We continue to be open to discussion and to consider evidence of gaps in the workforce and supporting diversity in the profession. The levers to assist with recruitment which the Scottish Government has undertaken includes £1m of funding over this year and next to support the costs of employing trainee solicitors.
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 23 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government on what basis local authorities are able to set short-term let licensing fees, in light of there being no baseline data on the (a) number of premises to be licensed, (b) number of staff required to resource the scheme, (c) set-up costs, (d) implementation fees, (e) cost of inspections and (f) cost of appeals.
Answer
The Scottish Government published an updated Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) on 23 November. The BRIA sets out the baseline data currently available and trends, including information from the non-domestic rates valuation roll and about Airbnb, which show a significant growth in the number of properties which are being used for short-term lets.
The BRIA sets out the costs to local authorities and recovery through fees, and provides indicative average fees for a low and high cost scenario. The assumptions behind the average indicative fees for a short-term lets licence have been informed by discussions with local authorities.
The Licensing Order allows local authorities to raise revenue from fees to cover the costs of establishing and running their licensing scheme. The actual fees to be charged will be determined by local authorities following Scottish Government guidance and are likely to include higher and lower tiers, reflecting the varying sizes of premises to be licensed.
The licensing scheme will help to build a comprehensive picture of short-term let activity across Scotland.
- Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 23 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS boards require pregnant medical staff to work in settings where there are patients with COVID-19.
Answer
The Department for Health and Social Care guidance for pregnant women in the workplace, covers NHS staff in all settings in Scotland and we have taken steps to ensure it is applied. The guidance clearly states that all pregnant staff must have a workplace risk assessment and can only continue working if the risk assessment says, it is safe for them to do so.
If a risk is identified employers must adjust their working conditions to remove the risk or offer alternative work on the same terms and conditions. If this is not possible then the member of staff will be asked not to attend work, but will continue to be paid as if at work. This ensures there is no detriment to NHS staff.
We continue to promote the use of risk assessments across Health and Social Care and on an individual, case by case basis.
- Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 13 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 23 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for people who are unable to pay for dental services due to an increase in charges that are reportedly a result of NHS dental care services being reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer
We have set out our ambitious plan to remove NHS dental charges in this Parliament. As a first step to delivering this Manifesto Commitment, we introduced on 24 August 2021 changes to abolish dental charges for all young people between 18 and 25 years of age.
There are a present set of arrangements in place to ensure that vulnerable groups in the community are protected. For example, pensioners in receipt of pension credit guarantee credit are automatically entitled to free NHS dental treatment. Others on low incomes may be entitled to full or partial help with health costs under the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS).
Scotland is the only part of the UK where free examinations are available to NHS patients.
NHS registered patients are entitled to a full range of NHS care and treatment. While dentists are able to offer private care and treatment they must also advise NHS patients of the treatment available to them under NHS arrangements.