Parliamentary questions
Carol Mochan
846 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
6 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is promoting pharmacy as a career path for (a) school leavers and (b) college and university graduates.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government continues to work with NHS National Education for Scotland (NES) and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in developing a joint programme to encourage more students, and not just school leavers, to consider careers in pharmacy, including e…
6 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is supporting community pharmacies to modernise and digitise their prescription processes.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is committed to improving pharmaceutical care in Scotland and the development of digitally enabled infrastructure in primary care to underpin this. The ePharmacy Programme continues to oversee and develop technology used in community p…
5 Sep 2023 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to invest in community midwifery services to ensure that they are consistently delivered in areas of need rather than in centralised, and often hard-to-access, locations.
5 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what processes are in place to support workers employed in the self-directed support sector.
Answer · Maree Todd: Inspiring Scotland through the ‘Support in the Right Direction’ (SiRDS) programme, provides access to independent advice and advocacy in 31 local authorities, with a forthcoming scoping project tasked with identifying a SiRD partner to offer services in the M…
5 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms are in place for local authorities to monitor and audit the care packages provided through self-directed support.
Answer · Maree Todd: The updated Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 Statutory Guidance, written in partnership between Scottish Government and COSLA, commits to integrated monitoring arrangements that co-ordinate two forms of monitoring, welfare and financial…
5 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government who is responsible for upholding workers’ rights in the self-directed support sector.
Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member the answer to question S6W-21021 on 19 September 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/chamber-and-committe…
5 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what advice it provides for workers employed in the self-directed support sector in relation to any employment challenges that may arise.
Answer · Maree Todd: Inspiring Scotland through the ‘Support in the Right Direction’ (SiRDS) programme, provides access to independent advice and advocacy in 31 local authorities, with a forthcoming scoping project tasked with identifying a SiRD partner to offer services in the M…
5 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans, or is aware of any plans, to change the employment status of people employed in the self- directed support sector to incorporate it within regulated work.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government has no current plans to expand the scope of SSSC registration to bring other groups employed in the self-directed support sector into the regulated workforce. For a further description of expansion of scope of SSSC registration please …
18 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many working groups, reference groups, policy sub groups, network groups and other groups it has set up in relation to its delivery of the Women's Health Plan; what the full name of each group is, and who each group reports to.
Answer · Jenni Minto: There are two standing groups which support the implementation of the Women’s Health Plan . The Women’s Health Plan Implementation Programme Board provides strategic oversight for the implementation of the Women’s Health Plan programme and reports to the…
18 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to reduce so-called "recreational vaping".
Answer · Jenni Minto: We have a clear message on vaping – that it is one possible smoking cessation method and not a lifestyle accessory. Vapes should not be used by children and young people or adult non-smokers. Our 2022 consultation on Tightening Rules on Advertising and Promo…
18 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the most up to date advice that it has received from its public health experts on the impact of (a) electronic cigarettes and (b) disposable plastic vapes.
Answer · Jenni Minto: In 2022 we published our consultation on Tightening rules on advertising and promoting vaping products . Evidence about the impact of e-cigarette use on health was included as a section. Since then Electronic cigarettes and health outcomes: systematic rev…
18 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with local authorities regarding the potential banning of disposable plastic vapes.
Answer · Jenni Minto: We have not had any direct discussions with Local Authorities to date regarding the potential banning of disposable vapes. However, a stakeholder roundtable was held on 6 September 2023 by the Ministers for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity and…
18 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on (a) whether the number of people partaking in so-called "recreational vaping" is still increasing and (b) what the (i) public health and (ii) environmental impacts are of the use of disposable plastic vapes.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government does not hold data on recreational vaping. However, the Scottish Government published a report earlier in 2023 which examined the extent of use of e-cigarette in adults and children. The numbers will include those using e-cigarettes to…
18 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to further understand the potential health impacts of using (a) electronic cigarettes and (b) disposable plastic vapes.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government will publish a refreshed Tobacco Action Plan in Autumn this year, which will include further action on nicotine vaping products. We work with Public Health Scotland, Scottish Government analysts and a range of academics and stakeholde…
3 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the role that it and relevant agencies and bodies have played regarding the UK and Ireland's joint bid to host Euro 2028.
Answer · Christina McKelvie: The Scottish Government is working in partnership with governments and football associations across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland on the joint bid to host EURO 2028. This bid was submitted jointly by the five football associations of the UK and I…
3 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will propose the scheduling of time for a ministerial statement to update the Parliament on progress in addressing racism in Scottish cricket at the earliest opportunity.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government have no current plans to publish a Ministerial statement. Parliamentary scrutiny has been possible through two sessions the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee has held with sport scotland and Cricket Scotland. In addition sport s…
3 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how regularly it meets with sportscotland to receive updates on its efforts to tackle racism in Scottish cricket.
Answer · Maree Todd: I have met with sport scotland and Cricket Scotland on a number of occasions to discuss progress against the Changing the Boundaries report and will be meeting the interim CEO on 21 September. The issue is also regularly discussed at monthly meetings between…
3 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has confidence that all necessary steps are being taken to root out racism in Scottish cricket.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government is clear that there is no place for racism or discrimination of any kind in sport, or indeed wider society and we are working to ensure there is real and lasting change on this issue. While there is clearly a long way to go, there hav…
25 Jul 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to its plans for a National Care Service (NCS), whether it has given consideration to the provision of support for any care home residents who, during the period between any legislation being passed by the Parliament and it coming into force, are in the process of sellin…
Answer · Maree Todd: We are committed to delivering a National Care Service (NCS) to improve quality, fairness and consistency of provision that meets individuals’ needs. The NCS will have equality, dignity and human rights at its heart and will empower people across Scotland to …
18 Jul 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it considers to be an acceptable distance between existing residences and wind farm developments, and what its position is on whether the number of separate wind farms in proximity to a residential area should be taken into account when judging the suitability of a new wind farm…
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: There is no recommended minimum distance between onshore wind turbines and residential properties. Policy 11: Energy of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) states that potential impacts on communities, nature and other receptors will be important considerati…
18 Jul 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it considers when taking a decision on whether to override an existing local authority decision refusing planning permission for a wind farm development, or aspects of such a development.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The majority of planning appeals are decided by reporters from Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) of the Scottish Government. Whilst Scottish ministers have the power to recall an appeal for their own decision, they would normally only do so i…
27 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its action plan in relation to alcohol and stigma.
Answer · Elena Whitham: Removing the stigma attached to problem drug use and harmful drinking in Scotland is a key part of our alcohol and drug strategy. In January 2023, we published the Stigma Action Plan as part of the cross-government response to the Drug Deaths Taskforce fin…
27 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of any impact of health inequalities on (a) prevention, (b) earlier diagnosis and (c) treatment outcomes for liver disease patients.
Answer · Elena Whitham: Scottish Government has not undertaken any recent assessment of the impact of health inequalities in relation to liver disease patients. However Public Health Scotland (PHS) published a report in November 2022 that examined average mortality rates from liver …
20 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the statement in the Transvaginal Mesh Case Record Review report, regarding the findings of the 2018 investigative review, that "Despite being well received, to date, none of the 46 recommendations made have been implemented by the Scottish Government", and how it…
Answer · Siobhian Brown: Professor Britton’s 2018 Investigative Review gave 46 recommendations regarding the process of establishing, managing and supporting Independent Reviews in Scotland. We accepted and agreed with the vast majority of her conclusions and recommendations. The re…
20 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to meet with NHS boards to discuss the implementation of the recommendations set out in the Transvaginal Mesh Case Record Review report, particularly those relating to consistency and cooperative working across NHS boards.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19355 on? 29 June 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/chamber-and-committee…
20 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what role the women who have had transvaginal mesh complications will have in implementing any recommendations that it accepts from the Transvaginal Mesh Case Record Review report.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19355 on 29 June 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/chamber-and-committees…
20 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings and recommendations of the Transvaginal Mesh Case Record Review report.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is grateful to Professor Britton and her team for undertaking this review and we are pleased to receive her final report. It is important that we now take the time to consider Professor Britton's findings and the recommendations she ha…
20 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will present a timetable to the Parliament for the implementation of any recommendations that it accepts from the Transvaginal Mesh Case Record Review report.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19355 on 4 July 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/chamber-and-committees/…
1 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to its plans to introduce a distinctly Scottish approach to apprenticeships, whether it has any plans to (a) introduce specific apprenticeships for allied health professionals and (b) expand existing bursaries for people to study health professions to also cover allied healt…
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government continues to work closely with partners including Higher Education Institutions, Health Boards, Skills Development Scotland, and the Scottish Funding Council on skills development, employability and widening access to NHS Scotland care…
29 May 2023 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what value it places on resourcing community sport as part of efforts to eradicate health inequalities.