Chamber and committees

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.

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Question reference: S5W-16204

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 4 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that every school is fitted with smoke detectors, and when this will be achieved.

Local authorities are responsible for ensuring the fire safety for all of their schools. I wrote to all local authorities last year and received reassurances that all necessary steps are being taken on this crucial issue.

As part of these steps, it is vital that schools are fully compliant with the guidance and advice of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and we expect all schools and local authorities to take this issue as seriously as we do. I wrote again to local authorities on 1 May to reinforce this important issue.

Question reference: S5W-16125

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 4 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how many nurses in NHS (a) Borders and (b) Lothian have taken early retirement in each year since 2010.

Question reference: S5W-15689

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 March 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 3 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any NHS boards placing a restriction on patients with primary lymphoedema being seen by specialist nurses and, if so, which.

The provision of healthcare is the responsibility of NHS Boards, taking into account national guidance, local service needs and priorities for investment. It is, therefore, for each NHS Board to decide how best to deliver high quality, safe and sustainable services to meet the needs of its local population.

I am not aware of any restrictions being placed on patients with primary lymphoedema being seen by specialist nurses. The treatment of people with lymphoedema is not necessarily specialist nurse led, and they can be treated by a number of professionals including district nurses and physiotherapists in addition to specialist nurses.

Question reference: S5O-02067

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 May 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on concerns regarding the overuse of antidepressants.

Question reference: S5W-16042

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 2 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the provision of ADHD therapies other than medication, such as psychology input, counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is managed across primary care and specialist mental health services. While the provision of health services is the responsibility of local health boards, the Scottish Government expects NHS Boards to provide safe, effective care and services which support and respond to the needs of the individual. This includes the recognition and treatment of ADHD in line with evidence based practice. The Scottish Government have worked with NHS Education for Scotland to produce the Psychological Therapies Matrix. This provides guidance for Health Boards and Integration Authorities on delivering evidence-based psychological therapy treatment options, including for ADHD.

http://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/education-and-training/by-discipline/psychology/the-matrix-(2015)-a-guide-to-delivering-evidence-based-psychological-therapies-in-scotland.aspx

Any referrals to psychological therapies, including for ADHD are subject to the waiting time standard of 18 weeks referral to treatment. Our 10-year Mental Health Strategy, backed by investment of £150 million over five years, sets out clearly how we can improve early intervention and ensure better access to services. This includes the Mental Health Access Improvement Programme, which was developed to help health boards reduce waiting times and improve access to psychological therapies for all ages, including for children and adolescents' mental health services (CAMHS).

Question reference: S5W-16043

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 2 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of a recent survey by the Scottish ADHD Coalition, which found that 41% of parents whose child had been diagnosed with ADHD in the last three years had not been offered information, whether it will consider offering more parents such information.

The Scottish Government funds a number of organisations, including Enquire, who provide an advice and information service to parents and carers of children who require extra help at school. Enquire has developed a number of resources aimed at helping parents and carers to navigate the system. The information can be accessed on their website – www.enquire.org.uk . Enquire also has a dedicated, confidential helpline which can provide tailored support to parents, carers and children and young people themselves on their rights and options in more detail.

Question reference: S5W-16041

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 2 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to increase the amount of written information regarding ADHD that is tailored for individual children.

In Scotland, education authorities and other agencies have duties under the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 (as amended) to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of their pupils, including pupils affected by ADHD. An additional support need can arise for any reason and be of short or long term duration. Additional support may be required to overcome needs arising from learning environment; health or disability; family circumstances or social and emotional factors. Including arising from ADHD.

From January 2018, children aged 12-15 have their own rights under the Additional Support for Learning Act. This means that those who are able to do so can request support, information and be involved in the support that they receive to overcome barriers to their learning.

The Scottish Government funds a number of organisations, including Enquire, who provide an advice and information service to children who require extra help at school. Enquire has developed a number of resources aimed at helping users to navigate the system. The information can be accessed on their website – www.enquire.org.uk . Enquire also has a dedicated, confidential helpline which can provide tailored support to children and young people themselves on their rights and options in more detail.

To support young people to use their rights under the Additional Support for Learning Act the Scottish Government has established My Rights, My Say to provide advice, advocacy support and legal representation services to support children who wish to use their rights. My Rights, My Say also provides a service which independently seeks children’s views in relation to their rights and decisions about their support.

Question reference: S5W-16032

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 1 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of (a) midwives, (b) adult nurses, (c) health visitors and (d) doctors receive training in perinatal mental health issues as part of the core pre-registration/undergraduate curriculum in Scotland.

Perinatal mental health training is included in the core curriculum for midwives’ and health visitors’ undergraduate training, therefore it is expected that all students within these groups will receive this training.

Some pre-registration adult nurse education providers also provide training regarding perinatal mental health.

Medical schools would hold information on percentage of doctors receiving this training.

In all specialties, specialist post-registration training is available. NHS Education Scotland also support perinatal mental health training aimed at multidisciplinary staff, primarily for staff who are already qualified.

Boards are responsible for meeting training requirements of existing staff.

Question reference: S5W-16045

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 27 April 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how many firearms license renewals or applications have been turned down by GPs on the basis of the GP conscientiously objecting to firearms.

Question reference: S5W-16030

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 27 April 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when a nationally coordinated systematic approach by all NHS boards to develop local specialist perinatal mental health services will be established.

A nationally co-ordinated systematic approach has been set up with the funding of a national managed clinical network (MCN) on perinatal mental health, which is the first MCN covering mental health in Scotland.

The initial aims of the network will be to ensure equitable, coordinated access to mental health provision for pregnant and postnatal women. It will seek to understand current provision and promote improvements in local services. These improvements include access and options for families, professional expertise and effective service delivery. Beyond this, it will seek to contribute to improved early years health and development for infants as part of a broader Scottish Government intention for improved early intervention.

The MCN will be making fuller recommendations before the end of this year on what services should be available in all board areas to meet the needs of women and their families.