Chamber and committees

We are aware of recent evidence and data that points to increased cocaine use in Scotland, which we believe is being driven by falling prices and increased purity. We will continue to work with Alcohol and Drug Partnerships, stakeholders and Police Scotland to closely monitor the situation to ascertain whether it is a longer term trend, and we expect ADPs to use local data and intelligence to commission appropriate services that respond to the immediate and changing needs of their population.

Addressing drug related harm is a public health priority of this government. I recently announced that I would convene an expert group to determine what further changes, in practice or in law, could help save lives and reduce harm. Our alcohol and drug strategy, published in November 2018, is also clear that the quality and provision of services must be improved in order to make services more person centred in order to better meet the wide range of complex needs of those who are most at risk as a result of their drug use. This is being supported by additional investment of £20m for drug and alcohol treatment services.

Information on the number of patients delayed in hospitals in Scotland is available through the monthly Delayed Discharge Census. The most recent report, for April 2019, was published on 4 June 2019 and is available at https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Health-and-Social-Community-Care/Delayed-Discharges/Previous-Publications/ .

The census report records the number of patients who are delayed due to procedures associated with the Adults with Incapacity (AWI) legislation. Generally, these are patients who have not appointed a Power of Attorney, and lack the capacity to make decisions about their long-term care. Data on the number of AWI delays can be found in Tab 1 of the Delayed Discharge Census report ( http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Health-and-Social-Community-Care/Publications/2019-06-04/Census_Tables_To_Apr_2019.xlsx?10:45:44 ), and is available from July 2016 onwards (data recording changes make data prior to this point incomparable).

The following table provides information on patients waiting for urgent and non-urgent procedures at Edinburgh Western General Urology Hub.

NHS Lothian is working to ensure the number of patients waiting for Urology appointments is reduced and already have a number of actions in place to increase and optimise capacity, including the appointment of additional staffing which will generate new appointments each week and they continue to offer evening and weekend appointments throughout the year.

I have been clear that the level of performance across Scotland is below the level I would expect. That is why I published our £850 million Waiting Times Improvement Plan which aims to significantly improve the experience of patients waiting to be seen or treated. NHS Lothian received additional funding last year, nearly £7.5 million, to support improvements in waiting times. Over and above, we invested over £2 million towards the end of 2018-19.

Recently I announced the second phase of funding, an additional investment of £70 million, that will be allocated to NHS Boards to target the longest waiting patients in 2019-20. We will continue to work with all health boards to ensure the additional funding available delivers the improvements needed.

Additionally, Urology is one of the specialities being looked at through the Scottish Access Collaborative. A report was published in November 2018 and informs recommendations which are being actioned by the Modern Outpatient Programme.

Number of Patients waiting for Urology operations or procedures by Referrer Urgency Category at Edinburgh Western General Hospital

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23319 on 6 June 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 .

Our mental health legislation is based on rights and principles and offers protection for patients where compulsory treatment is necessary. Any increase in compulsory treatments may represent the effects of more people coming forward for treatment and increased awareness and response to mental ill health. It’s also important to note that the largest proportion of people subject to compulsion are for short-term orders rather than long-term orders.

We are making significant investment in the range of mental health support available, which will see issues tackled earlier and where possible in the community, while ensuring speedier access to specialist care for those who need it. We will continue to work with the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland and stakeholders both to ensure these orders are used correctly, and to promote patients’ rights more generally.

Scottish Ministers recently announced the appointment of John Scott QC as Chair of the review.

We have been clear that it is for the Chair to determine how the review work will be taken forward. However, this will include appointing a review group whose remit will include agreeing the terms of reference, ensuring each stage of the process has an engagement strategy which is not only transparent but also affords the opportunity to gather as wide-ranging views as possible by engaging people with real experiences, service users, carers and professionals, as well as those with a more academic interest.

We have also publically stated that the principal aim of the review is to improve the rights and protections of persons with a mental disorder and remove barriers to those caring for their health and welfare. The Chair will therefore provide leadership which will deliver on these aims by:

• reviewing the developments in mental health law and practice on compulsory detention and care and treatment since the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 came into force;
• making recommendations that give effect to the rights, will and preferences of the individual by ensuring that mental health, incapacity and adult support and protection legislation reflects people’s social, economic and cultural rights including UNCRPD and ECHR requirements; and
• considering the need for the convergence of incapacity, mental health and adult support and protection legislation.

Scottish Government provides a framework of policy guidance on planning and architecture that supports local authorities in promoting development that responds appropriately to its context.

This reinforces the identity and character of Scotland’s communities and the use of appropriate materials is recognised as a key consideration in that.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-22466 on 23 May 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 .

a) Number of pupils with additional support needs (ASN) by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) deciles, 2014-2018.

a) Number of pupils with a Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP) by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) decile, 2014-2018.