- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 18 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 30 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an up-to-date assessment of the ecological condition of species-rich grasslands (a) within and (b) outside of Special Sites of Scientific Interest.
Answer
The 2023 Official Statistic ‘The Proportion of Scotland’s Protected Areas in Favourable Condition 2023’ reported that, of 161 species rich grassland natural features on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), 73% were in favourable condition or had recent management put in place to recover to favourable condition, and 27% were unfavourable.
The data for the condition of species rich grassland outside of protected areas is limited. The condition of species-rich grasslands forms part of six yearly reports which NatureScot compile to meet the requirements of the Habitats Regulations – the next report is due in late 2024. In the 2019 report, NatureScot estimate that 17% of species rich grassland types were in good condition, 31% were in poor condition and the condition of the remainder is unknown. The most common pressure on species rich grassland which causes poor condition are invasive species and under-grazing. The draft Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Delivery Plan contains commitments to restore degraded habitats, including species rich grassland.
- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 18 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 30 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether the registration record of all NHS staff, irrespective of job title, is checked at employment in regard to (a) Health and Care Professionals Council, (b) Social Work England, (c) Social Care Wales, (d) Northern Ireland Social Care Council, (e) General Teaching Council for Scotland, (f) General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland, (g) Education Workforce Council, (h) General Chiropractic Council, (i) General Dental Council, (j) General Medical Council, (k) General Optical Council, (l) General Osteopathic Council, (m) Nursing and Midwifery Council, (n) General Pharmaceutical Council and (o) Scottish Social Services Council.
Answer
Within NHSScotland, professional registration ensures that health practitioners are practising safely. Evidence of registration with a statutory regulatory body must be verified before placement, including confirmation of a medical licence. Health Boards must directly contact regulatory bodies to ensure ongoing registration and inquire about any restrictions or ongoing investigations related to fitness to practise.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 30 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address the reported high level of vacancies for psychiatrist posts.
Answer
We are taking forward a number of steps to address issues around vacancy levels for psychiatry posts.
Through the Psychiatry Working Group we are actively looking at how we can better support the recruitment and retention of psychiatrists in NHS Scotland.
We also continue to work with NHS Education for Scotland and The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland to encourage medical students to consider a long-term career as a psychiatrist. This work includes the ‘Choose Psychiatry’ campaign, undergraduate taster sessions and improved psychiatric placements at Foundation level. 10 additional Core Psychiatry posts were created in 2022, followed by another 15 in April 2023. As part of this year’s expansion we will be adding a further 12, along with 2 extra run-through training posts in both Intellectual Disability and Child & Adult Psychiatry (16 posts in total).
Recruitment into Core Psychiatry has improved drastically in recent years. With the exception of one unfilled post in 2020, 100% of entry level posts have now filled for the fourth consecutive year (up from 63% in 2018).
The most recent publication of Mental Health Workforce data (5 March 2024) shows that under this Government and since 2007, the number of Psychiatrist Consultants across All Specialities in NHS Scotland has increased by 16.7% to 527.0 whole time equivalent posts.
- Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 11 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 30 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is the case that, from 1 April 2024, fossil fuel and biofuel heating systems will not be permitted in newbuild construction; whether, in addition to oil and gas heating systems, (a) log boilers and (b) solid fuel and woodburning stoves have been banned, and, if so, what assessment it has made of any impact that this may have on (i) rural economies, (ii) resilience for properties during periods of power cuts and (iii) energy costs for properties.
Answer
The New Build Heat Standard (NBHS)means new homes and buildings constructed under a building warrant (applied for on or after 1 April 2024) will not be allowed to use any fixed direct emission heating systems like oil and gas boilers and bioenergy.
The NBHS does not apply to the installation of ‘emergency heating’. This is in direct response to feedback from rural communities and concerns about interruption of supply. This means that the NBHS permits fixed systems which may include woodburning stoves where this is justified.
New buildings are already required to meet high standards of energy efficiency which result in lower heat demand and can help reduce energy costs. Impacts of the NBHS on cost and on island communities were considered in the Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) and Islands Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) published alongside the regulations. These have been informed by consultation feedback and wider stakeholder engagement.
All impact assessments and accompanying research can be accessed at: New Build Heat Standard - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 18 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to local businesses, in light of any customer behavioural changes resulting from road closures caused by renewables developments.
Answer
Road closures on the local road network are the responsibility of the local authority in that area. They have a duty under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to manage and maintain local roads in their area and duties under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to secure expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic.
Local businesses can provide views as part of the planning application process, including comments on transport and traffic considerations and their impacts. If an application is approved, where appropriate, a condition of consent can require a finalised traffic management plan to be approved with the local planning authority and, where required, in consultation with other relevant bodies (such as Transport Scotland).
Other conditions may be imposed requiring developers to set up a community liaison group to assist with the provision of mitigation measures etc. It can be the case that the development is not permitted to commence construction until this group is established and the terms of engagement are signed off by the planning authority.
- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 18 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 30 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether the registration record of all NHS staff, irrespective of job title, is checked on an ongoing basis in regard to (a) Health and Care Professionals Council, (b) Social Work England, (c) Social Care Wales, (d) Northern Ireland Social Care Council, (e) General Teaching Council for Scotland, (f) General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland, (g) Education Workforce Council, (h) General Chiropractic Council, (i) General Dental Council, (j) General Medical Council, (k) General Optical Council, (l) General Osteopathic Council, (m) Nursing and Midwifery Council, (n) General Pharmaceutical Council and (o) Scottish Social Services Council.
Answer
Within NHSScotland, the duty to maintain registration rests with the healthcare professional. Health Boards must ensure that mechanisms are in place to check the ongoing registration of staff and thereby prevent the risk of staff whose registration has lapsed, been lost or suspended continuing to practise in a role which requires such professional registration.
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 08 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul McLennan on 30 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to reshape the Self-Build Loan Fund to better tailor it to the areas and people utilising it most, and to extend it beyond its current completion date.
Answer
The Self Build Loan Fund (“the Fund”) is a demand led and flexible fund available across all of Scotland. Recognising that self-build is an important option particularly for those in rural areas to provide a home that meets their needs, the fund offers support to self-builders who are unable to access traditional finance. The Fund was established in September 2018 following the success of a pilot in the Highland area and strong interest from outside this area.
The Fund was extended in November 2022 for up to 5 years and we will continue to monitor its implementation.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 12 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it
has reportedly excluded (a) Africa, (b) South America and (c) Oceania
from the Offshore Wind Directorate's International Engagement Strategy's
designated priority regions.
Answer
Our Offshore Wind International Engagement Strategy was developed working closely with Scottish Development International, using the latest market intelligence.
The strategy identifies priority countries crucial to delivering our offshore wind objectives, ensuring our engagement is focussed and resources are used efficiently.
The strategy does not preclude working with other countries or regions, or engaging with other international opportunities, with decisions being made on a case by case basis.
Given the dynamic nature of the offshore wind market, our approach will be reviewed regularly to reflect the latest market intelligence.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 30 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for people who have received a private diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) but who are not able to access support due to their diagnosis not being recognised by practitioners in the NHS.
Answer
The Scottish Government acknowledges that there is the need for better access to NHS diagnostic assessment and support for people who may have ADHD, and that private assessments can lead to issues with accessing pharmaceutical interventions. We expect, however, local support for people with ADHD to not be diagnosis dependent, but rather be based on needs.
NAIT published guidance on Prescribing ADHD medication to adults following private sector diagnosis in Scotland in April 2022. The guidance was drafted in consultation with practising Psychiatrists, the Royal Colleges of Psychiatry and General Practice and individuals with ADHD.
NAIT’s guidance highlighted, for a Shared Care Agreement to work properly everyone involved must communicate effectively. A Shared Care Agreement is an agreement between a patient, their GP and a specialist service, which can include a private diagnosis service. Recommendations from specialists for ongoing prescribing on the NHS need to be made at an NHS consultation with an NHS specialist.
The Scottish Government is taking forward proposals for a proposed Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence bill to help better protect the rights of people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent people, including people with ADHD. The consultation ran from 21 December 2023 to 21 April 2024 and we are currently analysing the responses we received.
- Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 30 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what work is being done to promote traditional building skills in rural areas.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-25489 on 9 March 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/questions-and-answers .