Parliamentary questions
Carol Mochan
846 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
9 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed regulations for restricting promotions of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt will include temporary price reductions and meal deals, in light of reported evidence showing that these are the most commonly used and most significant price promotion types for driv…
Answer · Jenni Minto: The public consultation on the detail of proposed regulations to restrict promotions of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt closed on 21 May 2024. The consultation paper sought views on proposals for price promotions within scope of restrictions, includ…
9 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent meetings its ministers have had with representatives from (a) public health groups and (b) the food and drink industry, and whether the proposed regulations to restrict promotions of food and drink high in fat, salt and sugar were discussed.
Answer · Jenni Minto: From February – May 2024, the Scottish Government held a public consultation on the detail of proposed regulations to restrict promotions of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt. The consultation was run in parallel with a programme of extensive st…
9 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the timeline is for the introduction of regulations restricting promotions of food and drink high in fat, salt and sugar.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The public consultation on the detail of proposed regulations to restrict promotions of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt closed on 21 May 2024.We will publish the independent analysis report of the consultation responses in early 2025, as well as nex…
9 Dec 2024 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported review of more than 1,000 CT scans, in light of concerns regarding the quality of assessments made by a consultant radiologist.
6 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of an eighth primary school in Dumfries and Galloway closing due to a decline in pupil numbers, what action it is taking to ensure that schools in the South Scotland region are adequately resourced and funded to prevent such closures.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The management of the school estate is the statutory responsibility of local authorities. Decisions about the closure of schools are also a matter for local authorities.There are additional provisions to protect schools from closure in place, particularly tho…
6 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what targeted action it is taking to improve health outcomes in areas in Scotland with low life expectancy rates, in light of recently published statistics from the Office for National Statistics, which reportedly found that seven of the 10 areas in the UK with the lowest female life exp…
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government remains committed to reducing health inequalities and supporting people to live longer and healthier lives. Tackling underlying drivers such as poverty and inequality remain the best way to improve population health outcomes and life e…
6 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle public health issues in (a) general and (b) relation to (i) alcohol consumption, (ii) unhealthy diets and (iii) smoking, in light of recently published data from the Office for National Statistics, which reportedly found that Scotland has some of the lo…
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government continues to adopt a comprehensive approach to address public health issues focusing on early prevention, reducing inequalities and creating the conditions to support people to lead healthier lifestyles.This includes addressing the und…
6 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve A&E waiting times over winter 2024-25, in light of reported warnings from NHS Dumfries and Galloway that the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary emergency department has been operating beyond capacity.
Answer · Neil Gray: As we head towards the peak winter period we can expect to see performance fluctuate as pressures start to increase. We know that too many people are still waiting too long – and we are determined to drive improvements across our NHS.As part of the NHS …
6 Dec 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the recently announced £150 million of investment for the former Hunterston coal terminal in North Ayrshire delivers economic growth for the local region around it.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government welcomes the significant investment being made in the redevelopment of Hunterston marine yard to create a renewables hub, which it is anticipated could support thousands of jobs for the local community.Peel Ports suggest that the site …
27 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the role of Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland has reportedly not been filled, and when it anticipates that it will be.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Patient Safety Commissioner is a Parliamentary office-holder and is being recruited by the Scottish Parliament. They will be appointed by His Majesty on nomination of the Scottish Parliament.As the Commissioner will be an independent public advocate for p…
26 Nov 2024 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to recent reports that many towns in Scotland are so-called legal aid deserts.
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to ensure that the funding planned as a result of the HIV Transmission Elimination Delivery Plan Implementation Short-Life Working Group (HIV-TEDI) Workforce Education and Community Engagement call for proposals for HIV education and training will include targeted train…
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31702 on 4 December 2024. 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-co…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will address any gaps in the integration ofsocial determinants of health, such as housing and poverty, into mental healthand HIV care pathways.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Early intervention and prevention are key priorities for the Scottish Government in taking forward our approaches to mental health and wellbeing, and HIV transmission elimination. We recognise that physical and mental health can be influenced by many factors,…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that all HIVclinics have the resources and staffing necessary to implement the British HIVAssociation (BHIVA) standards for psychological support for adults living withHIV.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government’s HIV Transmission Elimination Delivery Plan sets out our approach to ensuring that people living with HIV have equitable access to high quality care and treatment to support them to live well.We are aware of the recent HIV Outco…
31 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the suggestion in the Audit Scotland report, Alcohol and Drugs Services, that alcohol and drugs partnerships (ADPs) have focused on medication assisted treatment (MAT) standard compliance, leading to less focus on tackling alcohol harm.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government has fully committed to ensuring that treatment services are available for all forms of substance use. The MAT standards are an essential part of the National Mission on Drugs, to save and improve lives.The National Mission focuses on a…
31 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will update its Alcohol Framework.
Answer · Jenni Minto: A refreshed cross-government and cross-sectoral approach to population health - focused on prevention - is being progressed. Increasing healthy life expectancy and reducing health inequalities across Scotland remains a clear ambition for this Government. It i…
31 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the suggestion in the Audit Scotland report, Alcohol and Drugs Services, that its increased focus on drug harm is shifting the balance of attention from, and effort on, tackling alcohol harm.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government continues to take significant steps to tackle alcohol harm as a public health priority.The National Mission focuses on actions and initiatives to address the harms associated with drugs, but these can and do support people affected by …
31 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the suggestion in the Audit Scotland report, Alcohol and Drugs Services, that 93% of alcohol and drugs partnerships (ADPs) have drug death review groups, while 7% carried out alcohol death audits in 2022-23.
Answer · Neil Gray: Tackling alcohol related harm remains a priority for Scottish Government, and we are treating our policies to reduce alcohol and drug deaths as twin public health issues in Scotland.We are working to ensure that people who experience harms as a result of alco…
31 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the suggestion in the Audit Scotland report, Alcohol and Drugs Services, that it has been "slow" to implement alcohol marketing reform.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government remains committed to progressing work on protecting children and young people from exposure to alcohol marketing. It was clear from our earlier public consultation that there was a wide range of views on alcohol marketing proposals, in…
31 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to assess drug and alcohol services for their cost-effectiveness.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government is committed to evidence-based policy making. National Mission activity undertaken to date has been based on the evidence available and informed by people with lived and living experience, as well as the National Mission’s Clinic…
31 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will set out timescales for the delivery of alcohol marketing reform.
Answer · Jenni Minto: As the Cabinet Secretary set out to Parliament, Public Health Scotland (PHS) are being commissioned to carry out a review of the evidence for the range of options that are available to the Scottish Government under devolved powers. This important step will en…
25 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what funding will be allocated to support the work of the new the See Hear Strategy, to support people who are Deaf, Deafblind or have visual impairments to live well.
Answer · Maree Todd: The See Hear Strategy is supported by Scottish Government See Hear funding of £320,000 yearly, shared across each local authority area and based on population size, to deliver local implementation of the Strategy. This is in addition to Section 10 grant…
25 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to publish the new See Hear Strategy, and what work has been done to ensure that lived experience is at the centre of that work.
Answer · Maree Todd: The current See Hear Strategy which was published in 2014 still exists to support children and adults who have deafness, sight loss and dual sensory loss to access the support and social care they need.See Hear Leads, within local authorities, are in place to…
23 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support (a) drug services and (b) local authorities with the provision of drug harm reduction measures such as needle and syringe programmes and opioid substitution therapy.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government is committed to support Health and Social Care Partnerships and their local services deliver on our National Mission to save and improve lives affected by problem drug use. This includes the implementation of harm reduction initiatives…
23 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to work with NHS boards and the Scottish Prison Service to ensure that there is routine opt-out blood-borne virus testing for hepatitis C, hepatitis B and HIV for all new prisoners.
Answer · Jenni Minto: As part of the reception process into prison, everyone has a consultation with an NHS healthcare professional within 24 hours of arrival, using a nationally agreed admission process.Public Health Scotland (PHS) is currently in the process of updating its guid…
23 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it anticipates that it will achieve its target of eliminating the hepatitis C virus (HCV) as a public health concern by the end of the 2024-25 financial year.
Answer · Jenni Minto: In 2019, Scotland committed to the ambitious goal of eliminating HCV as a public health concern five years ahead of the World Health Organization’s global target of 2030. Since then, we’ve seen considerable progress with major achievements across …
23 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to review the guidance for services dealing with pain management within the NHS.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is working with stakeholders on the review and development of various guidance to inform pain management services.As outlined in the updated chronic pain implementation plan, Framework for pain management service delivery - implementat…
23 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last communicated with the Faculty of Pain Medicine regarding the safety of steroid injections to treat chronic lower back pain.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government believes it is important to work with a wide range of clinical, lived experience and third sector representatives in developing chronic pain policies. This includes the Faculty for Pain Management (FPM) Our clinical lead for chronic pa…
7 Oct 2024 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported view of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine that its winter planning is "not doing enough" to support A&E departments as they approach their busiest time of year.
1 Oct 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to any increasing weight of vehicles and any damage that this may be doing to ageing road infrastructure.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The design of road infrastructure is influenced by the loading from heavy goods vehicles and the legislation for the weights and dimensions of these vehicles is reserved to the UK Government. Regular engagement on potential changes to vehicle weights and dime…