Parliamentary questions
Sandesh Gulhane
385 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
14 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what means and metrics it assesses its own performance in delivering primary care services.
Answer · Neil Gray: Scottish Ministers are responsible for securing the provision of general medical, general dental and general ophthalmic services, and of pharmaceutical services.Health Boards have a duty to provide those services in accordance with regulations.Each set of reg…
14 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that public data availability in relation to primary care services is limited because these services are mostly delivered by sub-contractors, what steps it would consider taking to facilitate greater data (a) collection and (b) publication in relation to primary care…
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government is willing to consider any steps that might usefully and proportionately allow us to improve the data collected about primary care services and which could be used to improve those services. Any consideration of steps would be done in …
14 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has given to NHS boards on the implementation of the National Headache Pathway.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The National Headache Pathway sets out key principles of best practice headache management. NHS boards have flexibility to implement this in a way that is appropriate to their local circumstances. Representatives from all boards were consulted throughout the …
3 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects that its National Care Service proposals will lead to benefits in social care outcomes beyond those that would have been delivered by the existing social care structure and, if so, what (a) these benefits might be and (b) evidence it has used to determine this.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Independent Review of Adult Social Care recommendations, consultation and co-design with thousands of people who receive or provide social care have told us change is needed in how social care and support in delivered. We are working with people to design…
3 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of its spending on the National Care Service up to 2032 will be directly on pay for frontline care workers.
Answer · Maree Todd: Projected spending on the National Care Service up to 2032 is focused on strategic improvement of the sector, including improving standards for our workforce. The NCS Board will improve oversight, accountability and transparency on the delivery of integrated …
2 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether minimum unit pricing has reduced the consumption of alcohol among hazardous and harmful drinkers.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Public Health Scotland's (PHS) independent evaluation of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) of alcohol estimated that our world-leading policy reduced wholly alcohol-attributable deaths by 13.4% and was likely to have reduced hospital admissions wholly attributable t…
2 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, when it was initially conceived, whether a stated aim of minimum unit pricing was to reduce the consumption of alcohol among hazardous and harmful drinkers, and, if so, whether this aim has changed, and for what reason.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The aim of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) of alcohol is to reduce health harms caused by alcohol consumption by setting a floor price below which alcohol cannot be sold. In particular, it targets a reduction in consumption of alcohol that is considered cheap, rel…
2 Oct 2024 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support the university sector during the current academic year.
1 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Coroner's Regulation 28 report, Susan Pollitt: Prevention of Future Deaths Report, dated 31 July 2024, what consideration it has given to the Coroner's "Matters of Concern" in relation to the role and increased use of Physician Associates and Anaesthesia Ass…
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government is aware of the concerns raised by the Coroner in respect of this unfortunate case. We will await the responses of the recipients named in the report to help inform any future actions that may be applicable to Scotland, and will contin…
26 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what effect limiting the purchase of alcohol at off-licence premises to between 10.00 am and 10.00 pm has had on alcohol-related illnesses and deaths.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Every life lost to alcohol is a tragedy and the recent alcohol specific deaths statistics published by the National Records of Scotland is a stark reminder of the challenge we continue to face in tackling alcohol harm across Scotland. There is currently no sp…
26 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to NHS Lothian’s account of the reasons that the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh had a hospital standardised mortality ratio (HSMR) more than two standard deviations above the Scotland-wide average, in light of NHS Lothian not attributing excess mortality to any d…
Answer · Neil Gray: The latest release by Public Health Scotland (PHS), providing information on Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratios (HSMRs), for the period April 2019 to March 2024 is available via the PHS website. (Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratios - April 2023 to Marc…
25 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the results of its practice-level dental workforce census will be published.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The practice level workforce survey was administered on behalf of The Scottish Government by NHS Education for Scotland (NES). A closing date of 31 July was set for responses. Analysis of the data is ongoing and while no specific date has been set NES are wor…
18 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported information from National Records of Scotland stating that, in the second quarter of 2024, Dumfries and Galloway had the highest stillbirth rate, perinatal death rate and extended perinatal death rate in Scotland, as well as one of the highest infant death rates and…
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is committed to improving outcomes for babies and children and funds key initiatives, including the established Scottish Patient Safety Programme (SPSP) led by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. SPSP Perinatal currently supports NHS Boar…
17 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people aged 65 and over have been treated within the NHS for exposure to excessive natural cold in each year since 2010.
Answer · Neil Gray: Public Health Scotland have provided some limited information regarding those who have had an inpatient hospital admission which includes a diagnosis of ‘exposure to excessive natural cold’.Table 1 below provides information on the number of hospi…
17 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people aged 65 and over have been admitted to hospital for cold weather related illnesses in each year since 2010.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government does not hold information on the people admitted to hospital for cold weather related illnesses in each year since 2010.Hospital admissions data record the diagnostic conditions patients were admitted for using the International Classi…
17 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been admitted to hospital for cold weather related illnesses in each year since 2010.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government does not hold information on the people admitted to hospital for cold weather related illnesses in each year since 2010.Hospital admissions data record the diagnostic conditions patients were admitted for using the International Classi…
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated administrative cost would be of the potential introduction of prescription charges on the NHS.
Answer · Jenni Minto: No estimations have been made as there are no plans to reintroduce prescription charges.
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the article in The Times on 26 August 2024, whether it is considering introducing prescription charges for medicines on the NHS to balance its budget deficit.
Answer · Jenni Minto: There is no plan to re-introduce prescription charges in Scotland. Prescription charges were abolished in April 2011 because Scottish Ministers believed that they were a tax on ill health and a barrier to good health for many people. This was particularly so …
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken an impact assessment regarding the potential introduction of prescription charges for medicines on the NHS.
Answer · Jenni Minto: No impact assessment has been undertaken as there are no plans to reintroduce prescription charges.
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of introducing prescription charges for medicines on the NHS on people with (a) chronic kidney disease and (b) long-term conditions.
Answer · Jenni Minto: No impact assessment has been made on the potential impact on people with chronic kidney disease or long term conditions as there are no plans to reintroduce prescription charges.
4 Sep 2024 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent Centre for Social Justice report, Where have all the children gone?, which found that there has been a 72% increase in severe school absence rates in the last five years.
21 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-28109 byJenni Minto on 25 June 2024, whether it has undertaken an analysis of whatimpact the publication of its Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy has had onthe psychological support offered to patients living with non-communicablediseases, includ…
Answer · Maree Todd: The Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy was published in June 2023. To show how the Strategy is making a positive difference to people’s mental health, at all levels of need, it is structured around a Vision and a set of Outcomes so we can be held to a…
21 Aug 2024 · Written Question
Toask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-28109 byJenni Minto on 25 June 2024, what steps it has taken to assess the adherence ofNHS boards to the standards outlined in the (a) National Specification forthe Delivery of Psychological Therapies and Interventions and (b) Core MentalHealth Quali…
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government published the National Specification for Psychological Therapies and Interventions and the Core Mental Health Standards in September 2023.We have made a commitment to take a phased approach to implementation, to ensure the Standards an…
21 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-28109 by Jenni Minto on 25 June 2024, whether it plans to publish guidelines outlining best practice provision of psychological support services to patients living with non-communicable diseases, including chronic kidney disease.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring high-quality care for people with kidney disease, and other non-communicable diseases, expecting adherence to existing guidelines and best practice, such as the National Specification for Psychological Therapie…
11 Jun 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of preliminary data collected by Kidney Care UK, which currently suggests that there is a severe lack of designated psychosocial support for adults and children with kidney disease in Scotland, what steps it is taking to improve NHS psychosocial support provision for people wit…
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all people living with kidney disease in Scotland are able to access the best possible care and support, and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put people at the centre of their …
11 Jun 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is planning to implement minimum standards of psychosocial care to ensure that all patients living with chronic kidney disease receive equal access to the care that they need, regardless of geography.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government expects all NHS Boards in Scotland to adhere to current guidelines and follow best practice when providing psychosocial care for people with chronic kidney disease. Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy published in 2023, sets ou…
20 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to investigate any reasons for the standardised mortality ratio reportedly being (a) above the upper warning limit for the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and (b) below the lower warning limit for the Western General Hospital, in 2023.
Answer · Neil Gray: Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio data is one of a series of measures we use to monitor safety in Scotland’s hospitals. With regard to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE), the Deputy National Clinical Director (DNCD) has been in contact with NHS Lothia…
1 May 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Public Health Scotland having changed its dental activity data publication format such that new indicators reportedly cannot be equated with previous releases, how it is possible to compare current dental activity with previous activity levels and evaluate how far is left to…
Answer · Jenni Minto: The new publication format from Public Health Scotland is experimental and will continue to develop as the new Payments Model beds in. The new publications draw from the revised Statement of Dental Remuneration (SDR) which sets out 45 comprehensive care and …
1 May 2024 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to introduce long-term rent controls.
25 Apr 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken, since the publication of Out of hospital cardiac arrest: strategy 2021 to 2026, to ensure that defibrillators are (a) placed in positions that are as accessible as possible to the public and (b) available 24/7.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is a member of the Save a Life for Scotland (SALFS) Partnership. Through SALFS, work is ongoing to increase the strategic placement of defibrillators in Scotland. The Scottish Government have provided funding to support the Resuscitat…