Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-03429

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 01 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 25 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it is having with Optometry Scotland regarding its request for a fee uplift and regular yearly review of fees; when it anticipates making an announcement on this, and whether any increase will be backdated to the start of the financial year.

Question reference: S6W-03680

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 22 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a threshold for COVID-19 infection in schools, at which further mitigation actions will be taken.

This Government has made clear that whilst a cautious approach to removing or reducing mitigations will continue to be taken, we do not want mitigations to be in place in schools any longer than is necessary. Therefore, as confirmed on 19 October existing safety measures are to remain in schools for now, following advice from senior clinicians.

As has been the case throughout Scotland’s response to the pandemic, all decisions related to schools draw on expert advice, including that received from the Advisory sub-group on children’s issues , and consider the valuable feedback from partners and stakeholders, including the COVID-19 Education Recovery Group?(CERG) . There is no fixed threshold for decisions to either increase or decrease mitigations, but instead a range of indicators are monitored. All adjustments to mitigations in schools, and other education settings, are made after very careful consideration of all available advice and continue to be kept under regular review in light of emerging scientific evidence.

Question reference: S6W-02972

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 18 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to undertake modelling of the cancer services workforce regarding any requirements due to rising demand and more complex needs.

This government has seen an 87.7% increase in consultant oncologists and we’ve increased consultant radiologists by 57.4% (September 2006 – June 2021). We recognise the immense pressure our NHS workforce has been under in response to the pandemic and we are working to provide a sustainable workforce. The National Cancer Plan is backed by £114.5 million and has the potential to provide significant financial support to address cancer workforce shortages.

As part of the work of the National Cancer Recovery Group (NCRG), we are currently carrying out an exercise to identify workforce requirements to help inform wider planning discussions. This will look at roles specifically related to cancer.

Question reference: S6W-03315

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 04 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 18 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action is taking to ensure that the decision regarding whether children should have a COVID-19 vaccination will remain a matter of personal choice for the young people concerned.

Informed consent is integral to the vaccination programme, and we have developed detailed information for young people and their parents or carers to allow them to make informed decisions on vaccination. Vaccinators are fully trained and have materials to support discussions on informed consent at appointments.

Further information on consent for children and young people can be found on NHS Inform: Vaccinating 12 to 15 year olds | NHS inform .

A new leaflet from Public Health Scotland will be circulated and is available to view online at: COVID-19 vaccine information for young people in English (healthscotland.com) .

Whilst we strongly encourage those eligible to receive coronavirus vaccination to do so, the decision is one of personal choice and the Scottish Government has no plans to introduce mandatory vaccination.

Question reference: S6W-02752

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 12 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to figures from Public Health Scotland suggesting that the average number of primary contacts for COVID-19 cases has reduced from six in the week beginning 20 June 2021 to 1.5 in the week beginning 29 August.

Figures published by Public Health Scotland about average numbers of close contacts are based on completed Test and Protect interviews and completed online tracing form data, where index cases identify their close contacts.

As of 19 September Test and Protect has been successful in reaching over 1 million unique contacts.

We have introduced a range of measures, including increased use of digital and SMS communications and shortened call scripts for index case interviews, to ensure the contact tracing system continues to trace the contacts of people with Coronavirus and ensure they are given the right public health advice as quickly as possible, even when case numbers rise substantially. All decisions in relation to operational delivery of the contact tracing system have made in line with public health advice, including the continued prioritisation of higher risk cases. A combination of these changes is likely to have affected the average number of close contacts reported per case.

Test and Protect relies on members of the public to report all of their close contacts, to enable public health advice to be issued to those that may have been exposed to the virus. The Scottish Government strongly encourages everyone to engage with Test and Protect when contacted and fully disclose all contacts whether contacted by phone or digitally.

Question reference: S6W-02970

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 12 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what planning it is undertaking to ensure that there are sufficient nurses with the right competencies and skills to fill vacant specialist roles as they arise.

Over nine consecutive years, qualified nursing numbers have grown and we have also steadily increased places on undergraduate nursing courses. Ahead of each academic year, the Scottish Government undertakes a robust student intake planning process which seeks to estimate the levels of student intake necessary to service Scotland’s nursing workforce requirements in future years. At the conclusion of each year’s process, recommended target intake figures are agreed across four fields of nursing: adult, mental health, learning disability, and children’s nursing. This allows us to ensure there are sufficient nurses entering the healthcare system who specialise in each field of nursing each year.

The Scottish Government is also committed to the growth of advanced nursing practice, which is why in 2017 we committed £3m investment over 5 years to train an additional 500 advanced nurse practitioners. In April 2021, the Scottish Government published a paper setting out key areas for further expansion of advanced nursing practice. The paper can be found at the link below:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/transforming-nursing-roles-advanced-nursing-practice-phase-ii/

Question reference: S6W-02971

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 12 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make specific commitments on the cancer services workforce in the forthcoming National Workforce Strategy.

We are currently working in consultation with partners and stakeholders to agree the scope and content of the National Workforce Strategy. The Strategy will be designed around objectives which support remobilisation, recovery and renewal of Health and Social Care Services. It will articulate a holistic, long-term health and social care workforce vision, alongside our strategic priorities for workforce growth, recruitment, retention, training and development.

The National Cancer Recovery Group (NCRG) are currently carrying out an exercise to identify workforce requirements, looking specifically at roles related to cancer. We will pay close attention to this work, in the development of the National Workforce Strategy.

Question reference: S6F-00339

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 04 October 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 October 2021

To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.

Question reference: S6W-02218

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 23 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 4 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many people were waiting for (a) brain surgery, (b) treatment for gynaecological conditions, (c) eye treatment, (d) ear, nose and throat treatment, (e) gastroenterology services, (f) ophthalmology services, (g) trauma treatment and (h) orthopaedic services in May (i) 2019, (ii) 2020, and (iii) 2021, and what the longest waiting time was in each of these categories in the same three months.

The figures provided below include patients waiting to have their initial appointment with a consultant (new outpatient) and patients who were waiting to be admitted for treatment (inpatient or day case) within select specialties relating to the question.

In the field of orthopaedic medicine, trauma is categorised as a severe injury to the elements of the musculoskeletal system (muscles, joints, ligaments, bones, and soft tissue). These trauma injuries are often the result of a sudden accident, such as a fall or car accident, and so the patient requires immediate medical attention. Consequently, no waiting times are provided here.

Table 1 shows the total number of patients waiting for a new outpatient appointment across NHS Scotland at 31 May 2019, 31 May 2020 and 31 May 2021, broken down by specialty. Note that 95 th percentile waits have been provided rather than the longest wait as a more robust measure. This is due to the likelihood of the longest wait for each specialty being a data quality issue as opposed to a true waiting time.

Table 1: Total waiting for a New Outpatient appointment and 95 th percentile waits, 31 May 2019, 31 May 2020, 31 May 2021; NHS Scotland

Specialty	Indicator	31/05/2019	31/05/2020	31/05/2021
Ear, Nose & Throat	Number on list	29,648	23,901	34,454
	95th Percentile (days)	245	292	524
Gastroenterology	Number on list	20,701	10,856	16,880
	95th Percentile (days)	644	377	563
Gynaecology	Number on list	20,487	17,094	33,691
	95th Percentile (days)	227	202	437
Neurosurgery	Number on list	3,774	3,153	2,998
	95th Percentile (days)	282	339	495
Ophthalmology	Number on list	30,400	13,286	9,831
	95th Percentile (days)	205	289	538
Orthopaedics	Number on list	19,126	26,146	49,630
	95th Percentile (days)	260	332	497

Source: PHS Waiting Times Datamart

Note: The 95th percentile (days) measure indicates that 95% of patients had been waiting less than the number of days shown and 5% had been waiting longer.

Table 2 shows the total number of patients waiting to be admitted for treatment as an inpatient or day case across NHS Scotland at 31 May 2019, 31 May 2020 and 31 May 2021, broken down by specialty.

Table 2: Total waiting to be admitted as an inpatient or day case and 95 th percentile waits, 31 May 2019, 31 May 2020, 31 May 2021; NHS Scotland

Specialty	Indicator	31/05/2019	31/05/2020	31/05/2021
Ear, Nose & Throat	Number on list	6,873	7,142	7,966
	95th Percentile (days)	349	396	656
Gastroenterology	Number on list	178	208	282
	95th Percentile (days)	77	143	455
Gynaecology	Number on list	4,421	4,823	5,739
	95th Percentile (days)	303	310	581
Neurosurgery	Number on list	850	1,104	1,392
	95th Percentile (days)	246	389	640
Ophthalmology	Number on list	11,090	13,286	9,831
	95th Percentile (days)	205	289	538
Orthopaedics	Number on list	19,126	22,715	29,606
	95th Percentile (days)	263	356	633

Source: PHS Waiting Times Datamart

Note: The 95th percentile (days) measure indicates that 95% of patients had been waiting less than the number of days shown and 5% had been waiting longer.

Question reference: S6W-03179

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 20 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 28 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that people who have taken part in a COVID-19 vaccine trial have access to their certificate of vaccination.

We are extremely grateful to everyone who has volunteered for vaccine trials in Scotland. We are committed to ensuring that these volunteers are not disadvantaged in any way, and work is on-going to ensure their vaccine status is correctly presented on the vaccine database.

If a person has participated in coronavirus vaccine clinical trials in Scotland, they should have already received a letter from their Chief Investigator confirming their involvement. The letter allows them to attend events or access services throughout the UK in the same way as those who are fully vaccinated. They will also soon be able to obtain a record of their vaccination status that contains a barcode to enable easier access to venues.

Further information is available here at NHS Inform: Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination status for clinical trial participants | The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine (nhsinform.scot)

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