- Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 20 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the NHS Tayside oncologists who were found by the General Medical Council to have acted appropriately, in line with professional clinical practice, when administering treatment to breast cancer patients, despite concerns expressed in the 2019 Health Improvement Scotland report.
Answer
Scottish Government representatives last met with oncologists in Tayside linked with the HIS report in July 2020, where all independent reviews of the service were discussed, as well the ongoing delivery of the breast cancer services in Tayside. During the work of the Independent Advisory Group (Tayside Breast Cancer) which reported in August 2019, there was also discussion with the same oncologists as part of the group’s evidence gathering.
- Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 18 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 20 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government within what timescale it anticipates the requirement to wear face coverings will be lifted.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-03564 on 25 October 2021. 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: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 18 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 20 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether the £15 million of funding announced on 15 October 2021 for a Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund is in addition to its commitment in the Programme for Government to “double the budget for community based mental wellbeing services for children and young people to £30 million”.
Answer
The £15 million of funding announced on 15 October 2021 for a Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults is a new fund. The Fund is part of the £120 million Recovery and Renewal Fund announced in February to ensure the delivery of the commitments set out in the Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan in response to mental health needs arising from the pandemic. This funding is separate from the commitment to double funding for community mental wellbeing services for children and young people.
The £15 million Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund aims to support adult community-based initiatives across Scotland which promote good mental health and wellbeing and early intervention for those in distress and tackle the impact of social isolation, loneliness and the mental health inequalities made worse by the pandemic. Grass roots community groups and organisations will be able to benefit from the funds to deliver activities and programmes to people to re-connect and revitalise communities building on examples of good practice which have emerged throughout the pandemic.
This year we have provided local authorities with an additional £15 Million to fund over 200 new and enhanced mental health and wellbeing supports and services for children and young people. The Scottish Government and Scottish Green Party shared policy programme commits to doubling the budget for community based mental wellbeing services for children and young people to £30 million per annum. Ministers are currently considering options to take this forward and will be informed by the work of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Joint Delivery Board.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 25 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 20 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how many COVID-19 vaccination centres are in operation, and how this compares with the number in operation during the initial vaccination programme.
Answer
NHS health boards lead on the local delivery of the vaccination programme. Vaccination centres have frequently changed throughout the programme, with some facilities being repurposed, and drop-in clinics being made available as we have had to exercise flexibility.
As such, the Scottish Government do not hold the requested level of information.
Information regarding the number of vaccination centres operating in each health board area, and their opening hours can be found on NHS inform.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 22 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 20 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how many COVID-19 vaccination centres have been operating in each NHS board area on a (a) full-time and (b) part-time basis, broken down by month since January 2021.
Answer
NHS health boards lead on the local delivery of the vaccination programme. Vaccination centres have frequently changed throughout the programme, with some facilities being repurposed, and drop-in clinics being made available as we have had to exercise flexibility.
As such, the Scottish Government do not hold the requested level of information.
Information regarding the number of vaccination centres operating in each health board area, and their opening hours can be found on NHS inform.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 22 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 20 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to each of the COVID-19 vaccines that are in use in Scotland (a) whether it will provide an update on what the efficacy is, broken down by (i) first and (ii) second dose, and (b) when a booster vaccine is recommended.
Answer
Analysis published by Public Health England (PHE) showed high effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccinations against hospitalisation after 2 doses. The Pfizer vaccine is 96% effective against hospitalisation after 2 doses, with the AstraZeneca vaccine being 92% effective against hospitalisation after 2 doses. These are comparable with vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation from the Alpha variant.
A study published by PHE on 22 May demonstrated high effectiveness levels of 2 doses of both Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines against the Delta variant. 2 doses offer protection levels of 88% and 60% for Pfizer and AstraZeneca respectively after 2 weeks.
A single dose of either vaccine offers protection of 33% against Delta variant after 3 weeks, compared to 50% against the Alpha variant.
Booster doses can be offered any time at least 6 months after the second dose and help to reduce the risk of hospitalisation due to coronavirus over the autumn/winter period. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice on boosters indicates that booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines provide a substantial increase in vaccine-induced immune responses.
Further information on vaccine efficacy and effectiveness is available online at:
Overview - COVID-19 vaccine information and resources - COVID-19 vaccinations - COVID-19 - Our areas of work - Public Health Scotland
Greenbook COVID-19 chapter 14a (publishing.service.gov.uk)
- Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 15 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 20 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what training is given to COVID-19 vaccinators on aspirating (drawing back) before injection to check that the needle has not gone into a vein.
Answer
Aspiration is not recommended in Scotland and the rest of the UK for the administration of intramuscular COVID-19 vaccines. The clinical recommendation that trained COVID-19 vaccinators work to in Scotland and the UK is to administer the vaccine to the deltoid muscle and not drawing back before injection.
As outlined in the Green Book, Chapter 4, the Chief Nursing Officer recommends the deltoid muscle for COVID-19 vaccine administration and, as there are no large blood vessels in this area, it is not recommend to draw back.
The Green Book, Chapter 4 contains further information on this and is published here: Immunisation procedures: the green book, chapter 4 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) .
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 November 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 19 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government when Scottish Water last undertook an assessment and upgrade of the drainage in Newcastleton.
Answer
Monitoring has found previous flooding incidents in Newcastleton to be due to recurring blockages in the network which Scottish Water’s Sewer Response Team duly attended and cleared. Scottish Water is also aware that more recent incidents have arisen from severe wet weather events leading to surface and river flooding.
The primary flooding issue in Newcastleton is associated with the Liddell Water breaking its banks and I refer the member to the answer to S6W-04149 on 17 November 2021 for further information.
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: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 November 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 19 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the data that shows the efficacy of the Hawick flood defences that are soon to be completed.
Answer
The data about the efficacy of the Hawick flood defences is not held by the Scottish Government. The scheme is being taken forward and constructed by Scottish Borders Council and they will be able to provide the relevant data.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 05 November 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Patrick Harvie on 19 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to respond to the reported recommendation of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry that building evacuation alert systems should be fitted in new and existing high-rise buildings over 11 metres in height.
Answer
On 1 October 2019, the Scottish Government introduced evacuation alert systems in new high rise domestic buildings with a floor over 18m. The government also published Practical Fire Safety Guidance for Existing High Rise Domestic Buildings. The guidance promotes using a risk based approach to determine the fire safety measures required. Therefore, upgrading existing high rise domestic buildings with evacuation alert systems may be implemented where the level of fire risk is justified, taking into account the time, cost and disruption to building occupants involved.
We are not aware of any recommendation from the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 1 report relating to evacuation alert systems to be installed in new and existing high rise buildings over 11 metres in height.