Chamber and committees

As set out in the Scottish Governments Rights, Respect and Recovery strategy we continue to support Harm Prevention work on a national level; this includes the potential provision of naloxone to first responders such as the Police.

Dialogue is ongoing between the Scottish Government and Police Scotland, with the latter recently establishing a short life working group to address; along with partners, the subject of Police access and carriage.

The inspection of drug addiction services is not within the remit of Healthcare Improvement Scotland.

Scottish Government did, however, commission the Care Inspectorate to review the way all 29 Alcohol and Drug Partnerships in Scotland used and applied the Scottish Government's 'Quality Principles' which set out the standard expectations of care and support in drug and alcohol treatment services. The Care Inspectorate's 2017 report, 'Alcohol and Drug partnerships - A report on the use and impact of the Quality Principles through validated self-assessment', can be found here - https://www.careinspectorate.com/images/documents/3850/Alcohol%20and%20Drug%20Partnerships%20-%20use%20and%20impact%20of%20the%20Quality%20Principles.pdf .

NHS Research Scotland (NRS) supports clinical research studies and clinical trials, including those involving gene therapy, from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical technology industries through a simplified, single point of access to Scotland’s clinical research infrastructure, including world-class facilities, expert investigators and well-characterised groups of patients.

More details on the role of NRS and how it supports clinical research activity in Scotland can be found at: http://www.nhsresearchscotland.org.uk/about/role-of-nrs .

NHS construction project typically cover more than one financial year, so in order to provide a more meaningful overview of capital investment projects, the Scottish Government developed the Infrastructure Investment Plan. This plan provides regular updates every six months on progress including timescales and costs. In addition to the publication of the plan and the major projects update, the Scottish Government discuss progress each year with the Public Audit and Post Legislative Scrutiny Committee at the Scottish Parliament.

The Infrastructure Investment Plan and supporting documents can be accessed at:

https://www.gov.scot/policies/government-finance/infrastructure-investment/#plan .

An extensive and effective campaign was put in place in July, asking parents and patients to continue using the Sciennes building until further notice. Teams were put in place in case patients mistakenly turned up at the new site. A helpline was also created and remains in place although demand / usage of this helpline has recently been very low. Patients with follow up appointments in the coming months will receive appointment details to attend the RHSC at Sciennes. Once a new opening date is confirmed, NHS Lothian will undertake a full campaign similar to that which was carried out to promote the original planned opening in July.

NHS boards are required to make every effort to ensure the safety of patients' belongings while they are in hospital, and to have appropriate security arrangements in place. The Scottish Government welcomes suggestions to further increase safety arrangements, and will continue its work with NHS Boards to consider potential improvements that can be made.

The Scottish Government notes that the Scottish Medicines Consortium has undertaken recently an assessment of the “CAR-T” cell therapy submission Kymriah ® (tisagenlecleucel) for paediatric patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia ( SMC2129 ) and adult patients with diffuse large cell B lymphoma ( SMC2200 ). In this assessment, the SMC’s existing methods and processes proved to be suitable for the consideration of gene therapies. The independent SMC does of course keep these matters under review.

My officials & I have met regularly with representatives from NHS Lothian regarding the opening of the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-24250 on 20 August 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

The Scottish Government complies with the terms of any Parliamentary Motions it is required to under statute. The Government has made clear that it will give careful consideration to all decisions of the Parliament and will be accountable for any consequential action it proposes to take.

The work currently underway across primary and secondary care in respect of pain management is aimed at strengthening the links and exploring more sustainable models of care. This will help to reduce the demand on secondary care consultants and thus free up capacity so that those who need secondary care, and those on the waiting list for these services, can be seen quicker.