Paul O'Kane

29 Nov 2021 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the report, Towards a Scotland that cares: a new National Outcome on Care for the National Performance Framework, by the University of the West of Scotland, which is supported by Oxfam Scotland, Carers Scotland, Scottish Care, the Scottish Women’s…

24 Nov 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out an Equality Impact Assessment following reports that it plans to cease funding for the Schools Programme as part of the Scottish Attainment Challenge.

8 Nov 2021 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking in response to reports of an increase in turnaround times for ambulances offloading patients at A&E departments.

26 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of some people aged over 60 who are not in the shielding category reportedly being invited to receive their COVID-19 booster vaccine, whether people in this group are receiving this invitation ahead of people who are in the shielding category, and who received their second dose…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The primary objective of the booster programme is to maintain protection against severe COVID-19 disease, specifically hospitalization and deaths, over winter 2021-22, and is aimed at maintaining protection in those most vulnerable and to protect the NHS. The…

14 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) short- and (b) long-term bereavement support is available for families who lose a child suddenly in an NHS hospital.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: In line with our Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan, the Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring that high quality, person centred bereavement care and support is available for those who need it. It is important to reflect that each …

14 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how death, dying and bereavement education will be supported in schools, in light of it not being included in the report on the review of personal and social education in Scotland.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: In Scotland's curriculum, Curriculum for Excellence, learning about health and wellbeing is a specific curriculum area and is one of the three core areas that are the responsibility of all school staff. Schools are encouraged to develop the curriculum to suit…

14 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether children in all schools will have access to a counsellor to talk about death, dying and grief, and whether this will extend to children under the age of 10.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: We know that schools play a key role in supporting children and young people’s mental health. We continue to support our local authority partners with £16 million in funding to ensure that every secondary school across Scotland has access to counselling servi…

14 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress the National Childhood Bereavement Coordinator has made on developing a curriculum on bereavement.

Answer · Clare Haughey: Includem, the charitable organisation who were awarded the contract for the National Childhood Bereavement Coordinator, facilitated roundtable discussions earlier this summer exploring the theme of ‘Training & Education’. These roundtable discussions were ope…

12 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will undertake a consultation on restricting the advertising and promotion of alcohol.

Answer · Maree Todd: The advertising and promotion of alcohol entails a range of activity which is seen by children and young people across Scotland. This influences attitudes towards drinking alcohol and can encourage children and young people to start drinking alcohol or to dri…

11 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to allow new applications for the Scottish Carer's Assistance payment.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-03374 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-committ…

1 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to adding the free flu vaccination distribution list to the COVID-19 booster vaccination list.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Flu and COVID-19 are completely different diseases caused by different viruses and is why there are different recommendations for those who are eligible for flu vaccination and those who should be offered both COVID-19 and flu vaccination. The Joint Committe…

21 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many times an ambulance has been dispatched single-crewed in each year since 2019, broken down by (a) Scottish Ambulance Service division and (b) NHS board area.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Ambulances are not single-crewed other than in exceptional circumstances, such as short notice unplanned staff absences, and every effort is made to double crew ambulances through rostered and relief staff, overtime or our bank staff. Ambulance Technicians ar…

16 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether proof of vaccination will be required at sporting venues with crowds over 10,000 for all (a) officials and (b) players in attendance.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government have produced updated guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): vaccine certification update - 23 September 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot), which states that an exemption will be in place for those working and performing at venues requiring p…

16 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that football clubs enforce the wearing of face coverings inside their grounds, and what action will be taken if clubs fail to enforce the regulations.

Answer · Maree Todd: Face coverings are required in indoor spaces. As stadiums are a mixture of both inside and outside, face coverings are required in internal areas such as entering and exiting as well as accessing kiosks or toilet facilities. Local Authorities engage with the …

16 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people who had previously received (a) zero doses, (b) one dose and (c) two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine have been hospitalised due to the virus.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the Member to Public Health Scotland (PHS) weekly statistical report and the details on pages 34 to 39; that show hospitalisations by vaccine status. You can view the report at: Public Health Scotland COVID-19 Statistical Report  

15 Sep 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps will be taken over the current parliamentary session to deliver crofting reform.

25 Aug 2021 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported increase in the attainment gap between pupils from the most and least deprived backgrounds, following the most recent SQA results.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Closing the poverty-related attainment gap, and ensuring every young person has the chance to fulfil their potential, remains central to this Government’s work. While the 2021 results show a slight change from 2020, the results saw a narrower poverty-relate…

24 Aug 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date the COVID-19 digital vaccine certificate will be (a) be fully developed and (b) made available to the general public, and whether it will be recognised by IATA Travel Pass.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The NHS Scotland COVID Status app is being developed for release to the public by the end of September with vaccination information initially. We are developing our app to meet the EU requirements so we expect this to be compatible with the IATA Travel Pass. …

9 Aug 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will review the fees paid to optometrists and, in light of these last increasing 12 years ago, what its position is on introducing a regular review mechanism.

Answer · Maree Todd: Both General Ophthalmic Services fees paid to optometrists and any mechanism for reviewing these fees is currently under consideration.

30 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve water safety education in schools, and whether it will consider making swimming lessons available to all young people as part of the health and wellbeing curriculum.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Our thoughts and condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who have recently lost their lives in water-related incidents. Ensuring that every child learns to swim is a priority for both Scottish Swimming and the Scottish Government. The Natio…

27 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what pay increase junior doctors will receive in 2021-22.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I announced on 12th August that I have accepted the DDRB recommendation of a 3% pay uplift for 2021-22. This award recognises the unprecedented year that NHS Scotland has faced, and ensures that Doctors in Scotland continue to be the best paid in the United K…

8 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to publishing a (a) draft HIV Action Plan and (b) precise and timely consultation timetable before September 2021.

Answer · Maree Todd: On 1 December 2020 Joe Fitzpatrick, the then Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing commissioned leading HIV experts to deliver a proposal for how Scotland can become one of the first countries to eliminate HIV transmission by 2030. This proposal wi…

24 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it will provide to support the provision of palliative and end of life care training for those delivering homelessness services, in order to identify people who could benefit from a palliative approach much earlier.

Answer · Maree Todd: We want everyone who would benefit from palliative and end of life care to have access to it, including those who are homeless. As the Marie Curie report makes clear, good end of life care requires collaborative, multi-disciplinary support which is based on t…

24 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will fund the development and delivery of bereavement support specifically for those experiencing homelessness, and those delivering homelessness services.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring that high quality, person centred bereavement care and support is available for all those who need it, including people experiencing homelessness. Each person’s experience of bereavement is unique …

24 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make a commitment to urgent reform to improve access to and the provision of palliative and end of life care for those experiencing homelessness, in light of Marie Curie and Dr Joy Rafferty’s recent report, Dying in the Cold: Being Homeless at the End of Life, which state…

Answer · Maree Todd: We want everyone who would benefit from palliative and end of life care to have access to it, including those who are experiencing homelessness. We are committed to working with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships between health, homelessness and fro…

22 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is engaging with (a) local authorities and (b) NHS boards on the delivery of its rehabilitation framework.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00977 on 22 July 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…

22 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what resources it will allocate in the current financial year for the delivery of the rehabilitation framework.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00977 on 22 July 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…

22 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on delivering the rehabilitation framework published in 2020.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Since the publication of the rehabilitation framework in August 2020, we have established a National Advisory Board to oversee its implementation and we have appointed a professional advisor to lead on this programme of work.   The rehabilitation program…

16 Jun 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the National Qualifications Group agreed on the appeals process for 2021 National Qualifications, and whether the decision was unanimous.

15 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to implement the recommendations of the Scotland Eating Disorder Service Review.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: As announced in March, the recommendations from the Review will be taken forward by an Implementation Group. On the 18 June we announced that the Group will be Co-Chaired by Dennis Robertson and a clinical lead who will be confirmed shortly. We also announce…