Parliamentary questions
Craig Hoy
1,298 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many individuals Connecting Scotland has assisted in accessing the devices, data and support that they need to be able to use digital technology, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Ivan McKee: The Connecting Scotland programme aims to ensure that people in Scotland have access to digital services by providing them with opportunities to access and utilise devices, connectivity, skills, and support effectively. To date, the programme has brought a to…
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people Connecting Scotland has assisted in accessing online health services.
Answer · Ivan McKee: 63% of respondents for whom health was a relevant concern told us that their ability to access health services was much better or a little better after receiving support from Connecting Scotland. 36% of respondents told us that their ability to access health …
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that access to free Wi-Fi is available for any patients and residents currently being cared for by health and social care services who do not have such connectivity (a) at their bedside and (b) in public areas within their healthcare setting.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to questions S6W-13962 and S6W-13990 on 31 January 2023. 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/cham…
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding Connecting Scotland has received, broken down by each project for which the money was allocated.
Answer · Ivan McKee: The Connecting Scotland programme aims to ensure that people in Scotland have access to digital services by providing them with opportunities to access and utilise devices, connectivity, skills, and support effectively. To date, the Scottish Government has co…
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent in each year since 2007 on the provision of access to free Wi-Fi for patients and residents currently being cared for by health and social care services (a) at their bedside and (b) in public areas within their healthcare setting.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally.
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on the Near Me service.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has spent £5.512 million since Near Me was launched in 2019.
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have used the Near Me service in each NHS board area in each month since it was brought into use, broken down by (a) type of appointment and (b) service provided.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The information recorded is for internal management purposes only, however we are exploring how best to make it publicly available.
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what targets are in place for the Near Me service to determine whether it has been a success.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: We do not set national targets for its implementation nor intend to do so. We are actively encouraging a public centred care approach which allows people to access services in a way which is comfortable and convenient for them. Where appropriate clinically an…
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13496 by Kevin Stewart on 13 January 2023, how many (a) health and social care partnerships and (b) provider representative organisations it has worked with to deliver webinars for social care employers, and what plans it has to engage with any such…
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Officials hosted webinars which took place week commencing? 9 January to offer additional support to providers in applying PR and Marketing approaches at a local level, based on their specific need, and to share more insight into the alternative recruitment r…
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13474 by Kevin Stewart on 13 January 2023, what information it holds on how many social care staff (a) have and (b) have not received a "robust and supportive induction" since the launch of the National Induction Framework on 1 February 2022.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: This answer is not centrally held, however, the SSSC advises that although the National Induction Framework resource is presented as open access (in order to ensure maximum accessibility), and therefore analytics are anonymous, they can advise that the number…
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13474 by Kevin Stewart on 13 January 2023, how much it is spending on the development of a mobile-friendly IPC practice support app for social care workers based on the IPC pocketbook.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: A mobile-friendly IPC practice support app has been developed by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and NHS Education Scotland (NES), and supported from within their existing funding streams. Neither body has requested funding from Scottish Governmen…
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13505 by Kevin Stewart on 13 January 2023, how often the Fair Work in Social Care Group meets, and when it last met.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Fair Work in Social Care Group organised itself into four workstreams on Pay; Terms and Conditions; Effective Voice; and Sectoral Bargaining. The workstreams meet 1-2 times per month, most recently on 17 January 2023. The Fair Work in Social Care Group i…
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13505 by Kevin Stewart on 13 January 2023, what the timeline is for its project to trial the Framework in social care settings.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Initial implementation will begin in Spring 2023. This phase is expected to last for a period of 12-18 months.
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13532 by Kevin Stewart on 13 January 2023, what the minimum standards developed are.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Fair Work in Social Care Group has developed the following minimum standard terms and conditions: Term/Condition Proposed minimum Terms and Conditions Sickness Tenure within the sector is recognised for sick pay: < 1 Year. 5 weeks full, 5 weeks h…
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13532 by Kevin Stewart on 13 January 2023, when it expects this investigatory work to be completed.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: We intend to deliver enhanced maternity, paternity, and sickness pay rates in Financial Year 2023-24. Other minimum standards will require further analysis before delivery can commence. This analysis will likely continue into Financial Year 2024-25.
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13495 by Kevin Stewart on 13 January 2023, how much it spent on the There’s More to Care Than Caring campaign, and how much it plans to spend on the 2023 campaign.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The total cost of the 2021-2022 campaign was £206,970. The 2023 campaign has been developed to have a much greater media presence and will aim to reach a broader audience than previous campaigns. With this, the projected spend for the 2023 campaign is £500,00…
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13457 by Kevin Stewart on 13 January 2023, how often this stakeholder group is meeting, and when it last met.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Workforce Development Group is newly established and had its first meeting on 29 November 2022. The group will meet bi-monthly with the next meeting scheduled for 30 January 2023.
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13457 by Kevin Stewart on 13 January 2023, whether the national induction framework for social care staff has targets attached to it, and, if so, what these are.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The National Induction Framework was created as a resource for providers and staff as a good practice example. It was developed in conjunction with the sector, to enhance and support an employer’s own induction processes. It should complement existing inducti…
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13457 by Kevin Stewart on 13 January 2023, when the evaluation of the framework will be completed.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The evaluation of the national induction framework will remain open until at least the end of March to allow as many people as possible to take part. As the regulator for social services, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) have also designed and imp…
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13506 by Kevin Stewart on 13 January 2023, how many social services workers have accessed the resources on this new system for continuous professional learning, in each month since October 2020.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: This is a matter for the Scottish Social Services Council. The information requested is not held centrally.
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13506 by Kevin Stewart on 13 January 2023, how often resources are reviewed and refreshed on this new system for continuous professional learning.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: This is a matter for the Scottish Social Services Council. The information requested is not held centrally.
13 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13506 by Kevin Stewart on 13 January 2023, how much has been spent on providing this new system for continuous professional learning.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: This is a matter for the Scottish Social Services Council. The information requested is not held centrally.
12 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it has done to establish a distinctive Scottish approach to veterans’ health at a strategic level.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government works with key veteran stakeholders, NHS Armed Forces and Veterans Champions and through the Armed Forces Personnel and Veterans Health Joint Group to ensure we create the conditions for and drive forward progress towards the ‘Distinct…
12 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to increase the number of Veterans Champions.
Answer · Keith Brown: The work of Armed Forces and Veterans Champions throughout Scotland is crucial to ensuring veterans can access the right support, guidance and services. The Scottish Government supports fully the work of the Champions in public sector organisations including …
12 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it has done to reinvigorate senior participation in cross-border networks with a view to improved information sharing about veterans.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government actively participates in a number of cross border networks through MoD/Department of Health Partnership Board and Department of Health and Social Care sub groups. These groups have UK wide representation and provide an opportunity to s…
12 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the National Advisory Committee for Chronic Pain has specifically considered veterans issues as part of its work to improve chronic pain management in Scotland.
Answer · Maree Todd: We recognise the impact that chronic pain can have on people’s quality of life, including those with health problems arising as a result of their service to their country. The Scottish Veterans Commissioner (SVC) report ‘Veterans’ Health and Wellbeing ( www.…
12 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has introduced to tackle drugs misuse in the veterans community in Scotland.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government is investing £250 million in the National Drugs Mission over the life of the Parliament to save and improve lives of people who use drugs, including veterans. For the first time this year we will have data on the number of veterans acc…
12 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has produced a Mental Health Action Plan for the long-term delivery of services and support for veterans.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Veterans Mental Health & Wellbeing Action Plan was published in December 2021 and, through this, three key principles have been identified for future services: equal access to service; clear and timely pathways to correct help; and improving support to pr…
12 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to assist the work of Veterans Champions.
Answer · Keith Brown: Scottish Government facilitates and provides secretariat to quarterly meetings with our NHS Armed Forces Personnel and Veterans Champions Network. These Network meetings enable Scottish Government, relevant stakeholders and Champions to exchange information, …
12 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it has done to assess the scale and nature of drugs misuse in the veterans community in Scotland.
Answer · Angela Constance: Last year we published ‘The Strategy For Our Veterans: Taking the Strategy Forward in Scotland – Our Refreshed Action Plan’ which sets out our commitment to obtaining data on veterans from the new Drug and Alcohol Information System (DAISy). DAISy includes a …