Paul O'Kane

28 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish an updated Personal Footcare Guidance.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government is currently in the process of establishing a Short Life Working Group to be tasked with refreshing the Personal Footcare Guidance for publication in early 2023.

28 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will launch its HIV elimination plan, and whether the launch will coincide with World AIDS Day 2022.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government remains committed to reaching its target of eliminating HIV Transmission in Scotland by 2030. In 2019, The Scottish Government commissioned the Scottish Health Protection Network leads to deliver a proposal for how Scotland can become…

27 Sep 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to provide additional financial resources for third sector organisations that are on the frontline in providing advice and support services as the cost of living crisis continues to deepen.

30 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what additional support it can provide to people with sleep apnoea to cover costs of running treatment devices such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, in light of rising energy costs.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government is acutely aware of the impact that the recent price rises in the cost of energy will have on people, especially those using medical equipment at home, such as CPAP machines for the treatment of sleep apnoea. Decisions about the reimb…

30 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of rising energy costs on people living with sleep apnoea who require the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines and other electrical treatment devices.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to question S6W-10779 on 20 September 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-…

30 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the consultation process will begin on the proposed Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government has committed to introducing a Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill to ensure that the rights of autistic people, people with learning disabilities, and neurodivergent people are respected and protected. Informal consu…

30 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to establish a Dynamic Support Register, as recommended by the working group on complex care and delayed discharge in its report, Coming Home Implementation.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: We have set out Scottish Government’s and COSLA’s commitment to implementing the key recommendations set out in the Coming Home Implementation report, which are essential to achieving our aim to significantly reduce delayed discharge and inappropriate out-of-…

30 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to establish a National Support Panel to provide support and expertise to health and social care partnerships, as recommended by the working group on complex care and delayed discharge in its report, Coming Home Implementation.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: We have set out Scottish Government’s and COSLA’s commitment to implementing the key recommendations set out in the Coming Home Implementation report, which are essential to achieving our aim to significantly reduce delayed discharge and inappropriate out-of-…

30 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the draft legislation for the proposed Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill will be developed through a model of co-production that will include people with learning disabilities and autism.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government has committed to introducing a Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill to ensure that the rights of autistic people, people with learning disabilities, and neurodivergent people are respected and protected. Across our wor…

30 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of its review of Individual Placement and Support employability services.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Individual Placement and Support assists people requiring more intensive support to enter and sustain employment. The Independent review has considered the current delivery landscape and outcomes achieved by this specialist employment support programme, and m…

29 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to implement a new priority booking system, as part of the new ticketing system to be introduced by Caledonian MacBrayne in autumn 2022, similar to models reportedly used in Scandinavia, to allow islanders to book priority spaces on ferries at short notice, including …

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I have discussed this with stakeholders over the summer and CalMac has been asked to investigate options to consider how there can be greater access for 'Islands Essential Travel' for those who need to make bookings at shorter notice. We will need to carefull…

29 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to create through its agencies a capital funding stream for arts and culture projects, which could support the building of new theatre spaces.

Answer · Neil Gray: The recent targeted review of the Capital Spending Review does not include a new funding stream dedicated to supporting new theatre spaces. The Scottish Government currently considers any request for capital funding of cultural venues on a case by case basis,…

29 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding (a) has been provided since 2019 and (b) will be provided to local authorities in order to comply with the Burial Ground Memorial Safety Guidance for Scotland's Local Authorities it published in June 2019, in particular to support local authorities to follow the options set …

Answer · Maree Todd: Responsibility for the routine maintenance, upkeep and management of burial grounds in Scotland rests with the relevant burial authority. A burial authority may be a local authority or a private owner. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (as amended)…

23 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to implement a service-level agreement with ScotRail.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: In line with the Grant Agreement between Scottish Rail Holdings Ltd and ScotRail Trains Ltd, the first Service Level Commitment (SLC) has to be prepared within the first quarter from 1 April 2022 i.e. end of June 2022. Transport Scotland’s will publish the S…

13 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Save a Life for Scotland partnership.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government is a key partner in the Save a Life for Scotland Partnership. The delivery of the Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Strategy 2021 – 2026 is facilitated and overseen by two groups; the Strategy Delivery Group and the Out of Hospital Cardia…

10 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the opportunities for people who have learning disabilities to access creative alternatives to how people spend their day, including access to robust supported employment programmes.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government published the Learning/Intellectual Disabilities and Autism: Towards Transformation Plan in March 2021. The plan looks at the actions needed to shape supports, services and attitudes to ensure that the human rights of autistic people…

10 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to increased access to short breaks or respite services for family carers as a result of any cuts to day services.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of day services to both those who use them and to their families and carers. Revised guidance for buildings-based day services was published on 26 May 2022 which says that such services should return to pre-pa…

10 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to capture the views of people with learning disabilities regarding their day services and any changes that have occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of day services to both those who use them and to their families and carers. We have been working closely with local areas to ensure that services are delivered safely. Revised guidance for buildings-based day…

10 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish draft guidance on restrictive practice for education staff.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government launched a public consultation on the draft physical intervention in schools guidance on 21 June. The draft human rights-based guidance makes clear that restraint and seclusion should only ever be used as a last resort and when in th…

10 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many incidents of (a) restraint and (b) seclusion were recorded in (i) healthcare (ii) social care and (iii) education settings for children, young people and adults who have a learning disability, in each of the last three years.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: In healthcare settings, all incidents of restraint should be recorded and monitored at NHS Board level in line with their individual clinical governance procedures. The Mental Welfare Commission also have a role in publishing guidance in this area and in addr…

10 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to monitor the current use of restraint and restrictive practices in (a) healthcare (b) social care and (c) education settings for children, young people and adults who have a learning disability.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government has set out our commitment to people with a learning disability and their families through the Keys to Life Learning Disability strategy and the Learning/Intellectual Disabilities and Autism: Towards Transformation Plan . Both stra…

6 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of the Respiratory Care Action Plan: 2021-2026.

Answer · Maree Todd: We published our Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland in March 2021. Since its publication we have established the Scottish Respiratory Advisory Committee (SRAC) to provide governance and oversight of the Plan implementation. The SRAC held their first m…

1 Jun 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what new steps have been taken to tackle NHS waiting lists, which now reportedly stand at over 680,000 patients.

25 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to extending the payment of Scottish Carer’s Assistance to carers for six months after the person being cared for dies, in order to ensure that any carers are not at risk of falling into, or remaining in, poverty.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: The Scottish Government is committed to increasing the amount of time Scottish Carer’s Assistance is paid after the death of a cared for person, from the current eight weeks to 12 weeks, following discussions with carers and support organisations. We are also…

25 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Marie Curie and Loughborough University’s recent research into poverty at the end of life, which states that 8,200 people die in poverty every year in Scotland and that the double burden of income loss and increased costs brought on by terminal illness can push people into p…

Answer · Ben Macpherson: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-08639 on 9 June 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/…

25 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to extending eligibility for Winter Heating Assistance to all terminally ill people under the age of 65, in order to support them with any increased energy bills as a result of their terminal illness.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: We are putting in place robust plans to deliver our replacement for Winter Fuel Payment from winter 2024 and we will consult on the proposals for this replacement in due course. Our priority is taking on full responsibility for all the devolved benefits in a …

23 May 2022 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of an outbreak of the monkeypox virus in the UK, including cases in Scotland, what action it is taking to monitor transmission of the virus in Scotland and support people affected.

19 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment made by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care at the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee meeting on 29 March 2022 to provide the number of whole-time equivalent GPs since 2019, whether it holds this information and, if so, whether it will publish…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: For ease of reference, the most recent estimate for whole time equivalent of GPs can be found in the General Practice Workforce Survey 2019 which estimated that there were 3,613 GP whole time equivalents (WTE) in Scotland in 2019. The GP (excluding Speciali…

18 May 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported concerns by the Scottish division of the train drivers union, ASLEF, regarding proposals to make further cuts to ScotRail services.

16 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the timescale for the implementation of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 must be implemented effectively so that, once in force, it offers robust protections to victims. The Scottish Government is working closely with justice partners to agree a suitable commencement date for the…