Chamber and committees

This information is available on the Sexual Health Scotland website at http://www.sexualhealthscotland.co.uk/pregnancy/abortion via a link under the section entitled 'Where can abortions take place?'.

All NHS Boards will ensure that women are referred to another provider for their termination if the gestation of their pregnancy exceeds these limits, up to the maximum gestation of 24 weeks. Terminations of pregnancy carried out under Ground E - in other words where, in accordance with the Abortion Act 1967, 'there is substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped' - may be carried out at later gestations.

The Scottish Government's consultation on Social Security in Scotland in 2016 and the user research we have conducted with our experience panels has indicated that the ability to be accompanied is not being applied consistently by the Department for Work and Pensions. We understand that where an individual is accompanied, it is often the case that the person there to provide support is not allowed to participate. Support at an assessment can be vital to the individual's ability to communicate the impact of their condition.

The Scottish Government has enshrined the right to accompaniment in the Social Security Bill, removing any doubt as to the role of the person providing support. This aligns with our commitment to deliver a social security system which is founded upon the principles of dignity and respect.

The Scottish Government has been clear that companions will be able to attend assessments under the new social security system in Scotland, and we will ensure that any person accompanying someone to their assessment will be able to contribute to it.

We continue to hear from individuals that their ability to be accompanied at assessments is not being applied consistently by the Department of Work and Pensions. The new social security system in Scotland will differ in that the Scottish Government has enshrined the right to accompaniment in the Social Security (Scotland) Bill. This aligns with our commitment to build a system founded on the principles of fairness, dignity and respect and sends a clear message, leaving no room for ambiguity as to a person's rights.

Making sure that everyone receives the financial support they are entitled to is one of the first steps towards putting dignity and respect at the heart of social security in Scotland.

We have made clear that the private sector will not deliver assessments in Scotland. We are committed to making sure we get decisions right the first time by using existing evidence to support decision making - reducing the number of face to face assessments and reassessments currently being carried out unnecessarily. We will continue to work with our Experience Panels and stakeholders to help us design a new approach to decision making in Scotland.

Once we are delivering benefits in Scotland, we will ensure that our communications are clear, accessible and transparent so that individuals are fully informed about what will happen at each stage of their claim. Further, the Social Security (Scotland) Bill was amended on 1 February to place a duty on Scottish Ministers to have regard to the importance of ensuring that people receive information in a way that best meet each individual's needs. We will work to ensure people feel confident and comfortable about accessing the system and that services are tailored to individual needs, as part of our rights-based approach.

The Scottish Government has committed to building a social security system based on dignity and respect. To support the creation of this system, we have recruited 2400 people with experience of the current system to join our experience panels.

The user research we have conducted with our experience panels has found evidence that the ability to be accompanied is not being applied consistently at all times. In some cases where accompaniment has been allowed, it has been reported that the person there to provide support is often not allowed to participate in the assessment process. Witnesses giving evidence to the Work and Pensions Select Committee at Westminster as part of their on-going Inquiry into Personal Independence Payment and Employment Support Allowance Assessments have also provided evidence that allowing companies to contribute to the assessment was not consistently permitted.

Traffic signs and permitted variants that can be used on public roads are contained in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (the TSRGD). This legislation ensures a continuity and consistency of signing throughout the country.

Local roads authorities have considerable latitude over the design and content of gateway signs, which are located at the entrance to settlements including references to matters of local interest and historical events. However, authorisation in accordance with the TSRGD does not extend to the use of signage indicating “Fairtrade”, as these are not considered to be traffic signs.

While the Fairtrade campaign is well recognised and the initiative is to be commended, Fairtrade is a recognised global brand, which is promoting a commercial interest. As such they are not considered suitable for inclusion in traffic signs and fall to be considered as advertisements. In addition, most towns, villages and other settlements in Scotland will meet the Fairtrade criteria so this is not considered to be a distinctive local message for the purposes of road signage, nor is it a relevant consideration when promoting safe and efficient traffic management.

The Council (as planning authority) could consider a planning application for ‘Fairtrade’ however these signs should not be incorporated in any traffic sign (such as a town gateway sign) which is controlled by the TSRGD.

I have instructed Transport Scotland to carry out a review of traffic sign and general signage policy, which will include a review of the use of Fairtrade accreditation on signs.

The information requested is not held centrally.

The IUD (the coil), IUS (mirena) and contraceptive implant are all available to women wishing to access LARC. Other hormonal and barrier methods of contraception are also available meaning women are supported and empowered to choose the method most suited to them. The number of LARC prescriptions can be obtained from the ISD publication on LARC in Scotland at Table 5a: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Sexual-Health/Publications/2017-09-05/mat_la_table5.xlsx?08:31:21

It is the responsibility of NHS Boards to ensure that women can access LARC, whether that is through primary care or specialist sexual health services.

It is for NHS Boards to determine their recruitment requirements based on local need.

However, following the commitments in both the 2016-17 Programme for Government and the National Workforce Plan, published in June, we are planning to commission a further 2,600 nursing and midwifery training places over the next 3 years. 

The CNO Commission report, Widening Participation into Nursing and Midwifery Education and Careers, also sets out ways in which to maximise opportunities to participate in nursing and midwifery education and careers, recommending initiatives to remove current barriers of entry into nursing and midwifery training and careers.

We plan to create and fund further enhanced initiatives that are expected to result in a further 1,300 nurses and midwives working in Scotland.

Initiatives include:

• Commission additional nursing and midwifery student training places;

• Undertake a marketing campaign that tackles stereotypical images of nurses and midwives;

• Strengthening the successful Return to Practice programme, which has already seen over 370 former nurses and midwives start this programme, with 257 completions to date;

• Increase places for access programmes for healthcare support workers;

• Provide funding to enable the Open University to double their intake numbers;

• Finalise the review of the nursing and midwifery student bursary and consider specific funding packages for students in remote and rural areas;

• Improve recruitment, retention and completion rates;

This information is not held centrally.