- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Aileen Campbell on 4 October 2016
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to conduct any research and analysis into the health impacts of e-cigarettes.
Answer
The Scottish Government continues to monitor data on the prevalence of e-cigarette use in both adults and young people through the Scottish Health Survey and Scottish Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey. We work closely with Scotland's research community to ensure our policies are based on best evidence on the health impacts of e-cigarettes.
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Aileen Campbell on 4 October 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the health impacts of passive smoke from e-cigarettes.
Answer
The Scottish Government is of the view that the health implications from passively inhaling vapour from e-cigarettes are significantly lower than those from traditional cigarettes. However e-cigarettes are not risk free. More research is required to determine the long-term health consequences of exposure to e-cigarette vapour.
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Aileen Campbell on 4 October 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what research and analysis it has carried out on the dangers of e-cigarettes.
Answer
Research and analysis on e-cigarettes is being conducted on a global scale but there is a lack of data on the long-term impacts of use. The Scottish Government commissioned research and analysis which explored awareness, experiences and attitudes towards e-cigarettes among young adults aged 16 - 25. The research was conducted between October 2015 and February 2016.
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Aileen Campbell on 4 October 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with (a) its agencies, (b) health and medical organisations and (c) industry bodies concerning the use and health and safety of of e-cigarettes.
Answer
The Scottish Government is in regular discussions with its agencies, health and medical organisations as well as third sector bodies with health and industry interests on all aspects relating to e-cigarettes.
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Aileen Campbell on 4 October 2016
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that e-cigarettes are a safe alternative to tobacco products.
Answer
The Scottish Government considers that e-cigarettes are less harmful than tobacco cigarettes and recognises the role that e-cigarettes can play in helping some smokers quit.
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 28 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government whether the drilling of boreholes solely for the purpose of core sampling to assess shale and coal bed methane resource requires planning permission at all times.
Answer
In line with the Scottish Government’s evidence-led approach to unconventional oil and gas, only boreholes to extract core samples are not included in the moratorium. Boreholes for test fracking or hydrocarbon flow testing are prohibited under the terms of the moratorium. Core sampling allows analysis of data including stratigraphy and rock properties.
Any proposal for a borehole would also need to demonstrate that it will be undertaken in collaboration with an independent research body (such as the British Geological Survey) or academic institution.
A company seeking to drill a borehole to acquire a core sample would also need to obtain all the necessary regulatory consents. These would include planning permission from the relevant planning authority and an environmental permit from SEPA. It would then be for regulators to determine whether or not the site is acceptable and whether drilling should be allowed.
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Mark McDonald on 28 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of public sector social care staff are trade union members, and what information it has regarding social care staff in the voluntary and private sectors.
Answer
The information requested is not held centrally.
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 28 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to improve palliative training for (a) public sector social care staff, (b) GPs and (c) other NHS staff.
Answer
In December 2015 Scottish Government published the Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care (SFA) which sets out a range of commitments to help achieve our vision that by 2021 everyone who needs palliative and end of life care will have access to it.
One of the commitments set out in the SFA is to support the workforce by commissioning NHS Education for Scotland and the Scottish Social Services Council to develop a new palliative and end of life care Educational Framework.
The scope of the framework will include all workers in health and social care across public, third and independent sectors, including GPs, who may be involved or come in contact with people with palliative care needs, their families and carers.
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 28 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government how many public sector social care staff have received palliative care training, and what information it has regarding social care staff in the voluntary and private sectors.
Answer
The information requested is not held centrally.
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 28 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the work/life balance of public sector social care staff, and what support it can provide to social care staff in the voluntary and private sectors.
Answer
This is a matter for individual employers.
Scottish Government is supporting Scottish Care with their front-line worker project, which includes workers from both the private and voluntary sectors. Part of the programme of work will look at the emotional, personal and physical welling of staff.