- Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 April 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the (a) availability, (b) quality and (c) use of NHS workforce data.
Answer
On 11 March we published the National Health and Social Care Workforce Strategy.
As part of the strategy, we have committed to taking forward specific actions to improve how we gather, use and assess NHS Workforce data. This includes taking steps to improve the demographic data we collect and the analysis we undertake of data obtained at different geographic levels within our health and social care system.
The strategy further commits us to taking forward complementary actions to improve workforce planning capacity and capability within our health boards and health and social care partnerships (HSCPs).
New guidance has already been communicated to health boards and HSCPs to support the production of demand-led 3-year workforce plans, supported by local systems’ workforce data. Later this year we will also publish new staffing projections for health and social care.
Complementary data systems and data improvement work is taking place, as part of the Implementation Programme being established to support delivery of the Workforce Strategy. We have undertaken to publish annual updates outlining progress with the strategy’s implementation, in support of our tri-partite ambition to achieve long-term workforce sustainability through recovery, growth and service transformation.
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 29 April 2022
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07409 by Michael Matheson on 31 March 2022, whether it will provide the information requested, regarding when it expects projects from the ScotWind offshore wind leasing round to start generating electricity, and what generating capacity, in GW, it anticipates in (a) the first year of operation and (b) each of the following years; for what reason it did not provide this information in its previous response, and what its position is on whether sufficiently detailed planning has been carried out regarding when Scotwind projects are expected to start generating electricity, and what the anticipated generating capacity will be in the first, and each of the following, years.
Answer
Over the next few years each project will go through project development and consenting processes, respond to geographical and technological requirements, and find a route to market. There are several variables to be considered across these processes, including aspects such as grid connection and the impact of offshore wind developments on various environmental receptors.
To add to my response of 31 March 2022, it is not possible at this stage to predict how long each of the 17 ScotWind projects awarded lease options will take to pass through the project development and consenting process, achieve connections to the onshore grid network and subsequently to undergo construction. For each project this is a complex and multi-faceted process involving a number of variables, including the iterative review of offshore wind planning assumptions, impacts arising from environmental assessments, consultative processes, investment decisions with regard to supporting supply chain activity, success in securing power supply agreements though the Contracts for Difference regime, and potential challenges to be addressed in design and construction with regard to physical conditions and the application of innovative floating wind technologies being pioneered at GW scale in a number of projects. These variables are dynamic and are capable of affecting the size and nature of projects as well as the speed at which they will progress. Their impact cannot be predicted with accuracy at this stage.
Forward planning with regard to potential generating capacity, which may be expected from ScotWind and other offshore renewables developments, informs our thinking and is continually reviewed. This type of forward planning will next be reflected in the Government’s Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan due to be published for consultation this autumn.
- Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 April 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to change the guidance regarding infection control measures that aim to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in hospitals.
Answer
A directors letter (DL) was issued by Chief Nursing Officer on 31 March regarding the de-escalation of enhanced IPC measures as we now observe that harms associated with reduced elective services within NHS Scotland are now outweighing COVID-19 harms. The DL outlined the removal of guidance on physical distancing and car sharing as well as changes to the types of COVID-19 tests that are available for patient use.
NSS ARHAI Scotland are also undertaking a gap analysis across the current Scottish Winter (21/22), Respiratory Infections in Health and Care Settings Addendum and the National Infection, Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM). This analysis will highlight which COVID-19 specific aspects of the winter respiratory guidance, require to be retained and carried over into the NIPCM. This work is envisaged to be completed in early May.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Lorna Slater on 29 April 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported decision in the Republic of Ireland to introduce a Deposit Return Scheme for plastic and cans only and not glass, and what its position is on the impact that adopting a similar approach to that being taken in Ireland or in Wales, regarding the implementation of recycling policy aims, would have on cost, complexity, practical, financial and logistical considerations, when compared with the anticipated impact of its proposed Deposit Return Scheme on the same considerations.
Answer
Any decision by the Republic of Ireland to exclude glass from their deposit return scheme (DRS) is a matter for them.
The Full Business Case Stage 1 for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), published on 8 May 2019 (pp36-37), considered the costs and benefits of including glass within the scheme and concluded that glass should be included due to the substantial environmental and economic benefits. The Scottish Government remains fully committed to this position, which is also that taken by the Welsh Government.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Lorna Slater on 29 April 2022
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07108 by Lorna Slater on 22 March 2022, whether, at the time that the answer was provided, it had been advised by Circularity Scotland that the estimated number of reverse vending machines (RVMs) to be used for its Deposit Return Scheme would be around 5,000 rather 3,021, and, if so, for what reason this information was not disclosed in that answer.
Answer
As set out in the answer to S6W-07830 on 29 April 2022, we have had no further discussions with Circularity Scotland Ltd regarding any estimated numbers of reverse vending machines since the publication of the amended final Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment for our Deposit Return Scheme, and do not recognise the figure of around 5,000.
. 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/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 01 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 29 April 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made to ensure that Medical Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards will be fully embedded across services by April 2022.
Answer
The Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards were published on 31 May 2021, and the Scottish Government made a commitment that Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs) will embed the standards by April 2022.
Work to embed the MAT standards by local services and Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) is a crucial and significant undertaking. To support progress, we are providing multi-year funding to HSCPs specifically for the standards and have set up a MAT support team, based within Public Health Scotland to lead this work.
I have committed to update Parliament on the progress of MAT standards on a six monthly basis and will be returning to Parliament in June to provide an update on progress on embedding the standards.
Local progress from each HSCP area is currently being evaluated and a report will be published in June to coincide with the update to Parliament. This report will be a collation of process, data and lived experience evaluation. This will be followed in short order during the summer with a report providing more detail of work undertaken in each area.
April 2022 is not the end of line for the standards and what happens post April is as equally important. From now and over the life of the National Mission, work will continue on the standards to make sure they are not only embedded, but are improving and are sustainable.
- Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 01 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 29 April 2022
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the impact on households in Scotland, particularly in rural areas, what (a) action it is taking to mitigate the effects of increases in the price of kerosene heating oil and (b) discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding any consideration of a potential price cap for heating oil, similar to the electricity price cap.
Answer
I know that many rural households, living in off gas grid areas and reliant on heating oil, are likely to be facing difficulties as the price of kerosene has soared in recent months. We are doing all we can within our powers to assist those worst affected and have recently allocated a further £10 million to our Fuel Insecurity Fund (FIF). The FIF is delivered through trusted third sector partners including the Fuel Bank Foundation and Advice Direct Scotland, who administer our Home Heating Support Fund. Both these organisations are able to provide direct assistance to households who rely upon solid, or liquid fuels such as kerosene, for their heating.
Following on from recent discussions with the heating oil trade body, UKIFDA, my officials have engaged with the UK Government to raise concerns about the recent unprecedented rises in heating fuel costs for off-gas-grid customers in parts of Scotland. However the UK Government has indicated that there are no plans to regulate the sector.
- Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 29 April 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Social Security Scotland and (b) the Department for Work and Pensions regarding the relocation of staff affected by the reported planned office cuts at (i) Whitburn Road, Bathgate, (ii) Lindsay House, Dundee, (iii) Callendar Gate, Falkirk, (iv) Radnor House, Clydebank, (v) Springburn, Glasgow and (vi) St Ninians Road, Stirling.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-07984 on 29 April 2022.. 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/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 29 April 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has met its target to embed, within every Drug and Alcohol Partnership, the 10 Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards by April 2022.
Answer
Work to embed the MAT standards by local services and Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) is a crucial and significant undertaking. To support progress, we are providing multi-year funding to HSCPs specifically for the standards and have set up a MAT support team, based within Public Health Scotland to lead this work.
I have committed to update Parliament on the progress of MAT standards on a six monthly basis and will be returning to Parliament in June to provide an update on progress on embedding the standards.
Local progress from each HSCP area is currently being evaluated and a report will be published in June to coincide with the update to Parliament. This report will be a collation of process, data and lived experience evaluation. This will be followed in short order during the summer with a report providing more detail of work undertaken in each area.
April 2022 is not the end of line for the standards and what happens post April is as equally important. From now and over the life of the National Mission, work will continue on the standards to make sure they are not only embedded, but are improving and are sustainable.
- Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 29 April 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Social Security Scotland and (b) the Department for Work and Pensions regarding redeployment of staff affected by the reported planned office cuts at (i) Ebury House, Aberdeen and (ii) Victoria Road, Kirkcaldy.
Answer
On 17 March Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) announced their plan to close a number of back-office sites across the UK and collocate others. The Scottish Government was not consulted prior to the announcement, however, have subsequently contacted DWP to gain an understanding of the impact of this change. DWP outlined they do not intend to reduce staff headcount through this change process. Should the situation change, the Scottish Government stands ready to provide the support necessary including through Partnership Action for Continuing Employment, (PACE), which provides individual skills development and employability support.