Parliamentary questions
Carol Mochan
846 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
29 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in order to prepare for the forthcoming ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans, what plans it has to create more electric vehicle charging points in (a) general, (b) communities where drivers are least prepared for the change, (c) Ayrshire and (d) Dumfries and Galloway.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Draft Vision for Scotland’s Public Electric Vehicle Charging Network published in January provides the guiding vision on how Scotland’s public electric vehicle charging network will continue to grow across Scotland in a fair and inclusive way. The Scotti…
29 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the forthcoming ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans, what plans it has to (a) encourage all communities in Scotland to embrace the planned shift towards electric vehicles and (b) prepare areas, such as East Ayrshire, that were highlighted in a recent study…
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I also refer the member to the answer to S6W-08398 on 23 May 2022. In addition to the £60m that will be invested through the EV Infrastructure Fund, the Scottish Government has provided a wide range of incentives to support the early uptake of electric vehicl…
25 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Young Persons Allowance component of the Employability Fund will be continuing, and, if so, what criteria applicants must meet for this, and whether there are plans to change the criteria in the near future.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Through No One Left behind, we are delivering an all age approach to employability that is flexible and person centred. It promotes a strengthened partnership approach where the spheres of government work together with partners across the public, private and …
20 Apr 2022 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how Long COVID has been factored into its COVID-19 strategic review.
19 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the standards set out in NHS service specifications for rare and complex diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, are adhered to, and to what extent these service specifications represent a statutory expectation of the minimum level of care that patients should expect to re…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The National Services Division (NSD) of NHS National Services Scotland commission a number of highly specialised services in Scotland for patients who require investigation, treatment and ongoing follow up care for rare and complex conditions such as Cystic F…
12 Apr 2022 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what plans it has to offer home fee status to Ukrainian refugees in Scotland, or those displaced following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
24 Mar 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether any jobs related to the National Care Service are being recruited by Scotland Excel, and, if so, what these roles are.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: There are no jobs related to the National Care Service which are being recruited by Scotland Excel at this time.
24 Mar 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many government contracts KPMG has withdrawn from bidding for since renewed scrutiny of its practices in January 2022, and what these contracts were.
Answer · Ivan McKee: KPMG have advised that there are 23 contracts across Scottish Government public bodies that they would have considered bidding for, were it not for them having stepped back from bidding for Scottish Government work. The combined value of these opportunities i…
9 Mar 2022 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of low-income households that will not be eligible for the £150 payment to help tackle the rising cost of living.
23 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to remove any financial obstacles that may be affecting people applying for Masters level courses in social work at Scottish universities.
Answer · Clare Haughey: The SSSC has been administering Postgraduate Bursaries on behalf of Scottish Government since 2004. Funding of £2,655m each year is provided to support up to 300 students undertake the postgraduate course in social work. A review of the scheme was undertaken…
23 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what funding opportunities exist for people applying for Masters level courses in social work at Scottish universities to ensure that all fees can be met without placing financial burden on them.
Answer · Clare Haughey: I refer the Member to the answer to question S6W-06940 on 14 March 2022 The post graduate social work bursary scheme provides a contribution to the fees level set by the individual universities. This is to ensure that the funding available is able to support…
23 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether people should be encouraged to pursue careers in social work, and how it will address reported concerns that too many challenges face people actively trying to gain more qualifications in the field.
Answer · Clare Haughey: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the social work workforce. We greatly value their contribution to supporting the most vulnerable in society, particularly throughout the pandemic. Over the last five years, £25 million funding has been inves…
23 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has run any public information campaigns to inform individuals about the potential to (a) study and (b) work in the social work field.
Answer · Clare Haughey: The Scottish Government is acutely aware of the importance that our social work workforce has on Scotland’s community, particularly in the lives of our most vulnerable individuals. In order to fully support our community, the capacity and skill level of our s…
11 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that personal footcare, specifically toenail cutting and filing services, is provided to older and at-risk people who require regular checks, and where this is not taking place, what support is being provided to such individuals.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: While the Scottish Government’s role is to set the strategic policy for the NHS in Scotland, NHS Boards are responsible for delivering safe, effective, person-centred care at a local level. The Scottish Government published the National Personal Footcare Gui…
10 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported findings of a Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland survey that suggest that the demand for specialist mental health care has significantly increased among children and young people.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: We know that the pandemic has been exceptionally difficult for the mental health and wellbeing of many children, young people and their families, and that there has been increased pressure on mental health services as a result of this. As part of our £120 mi…
10 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported calls from the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland to "pull out all the stops" to improve mental health services for children and young people.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: There has been significant pressure on mental health services throughout the pandemic, and the Scottish Government has responded with record-breaking levels of investment, including our £120 million Mental Health Recovery & Renewal Fund. As part of that work,…
10 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to reach its target of investing 1% of the health budget in CAMHS services by the end of this parliamentary session.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to reach its target of investing 1% of the health budget in CAMHS services by the end of this parliamentary session. We are committed to increasing direct investment in mental health by 25% and to working with NHS B…
10 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how often it reviews the NHS 24 service to ensure that it is delivering effectively for patients.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government meet with NHS 24 on a regular basis to ensure that it delivers its functions in accordance with Ministers’ policies and priorities; to provide strategic leadership; to ensure financial stewardship; and to hold Chief Executives, senior …
10 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can clarify if it is NHS 24 policy to refer patients to their GP, during GP opening times.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: NHS 24 has played a key role in the response to Covid-19, completely altering the way in which they deliver their Service from a predominantly out of hours Service to 24/7 advice and support for patients both for Covid and in support of the re-design of unsch…
10 Feb 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the waiting time for people to speak to a medical professional when phoning NHS 24.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: As a result of increased demand and changes to service delivery, we have increased funding to NHS 24 by over £20m this year for additional recruitment and the addition of a new call centre in Dundee, which opened in December. This is supporting the additiona…
27 Jan 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the five-year survival data for pancreatic cancer in Scotland.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Cancer Survival publication is due for release on 19th April 2022 and will be hosted by Public Health Scotland. Data on 1 and 5 year survival will be published for patients diagnosed between 2015 and 2019 as well as long-term trends in survival for patien…
26 Jan 2022 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what additional financial assistance it plans to provide to help local authorities meet their net zero targets.
17 Jan 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on HPV self-sampling, and when it plans to introduce this method to the cervical screening programme.
Answer · Maree Todd: The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) has not yet made a recommendation on the use of self-sampling in the national cervical screening programme. However the UK NSC continues to gather and evaluate evidence on the matter. Scotland is playing an active …
17 Jan 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage GP practices to review their policies and practice and ensure pathways or adjustments are in place to ensure every woman can access cervical screening.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government and NHS recognise the importance of ensuring cervical screening is accessible. Every sample taker is therefore required to undertake training provided by NHS Education for Scotland, and guidance is provided to account for each screenin…
22 Dec 2021 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what preparations it has made to support the rural economies of Scotland's islands, in light of the anticipated impact of the Omicron variant.
21 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to support survivors of domestic violence during court proceedings.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to ensuring that victims of domestic abuse feel supported throughout the justice system, including court proceedings. A number of measures are in place to support survivors of domestic violence during court…
21 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the right to vote is protected for people whose personal details do not appear on the electoral register for reasons of personal safety.
Answer · George Adam: Anonymous Voter Registration is available to anyone meeting certain statutory requirements where, if their name or address were listed on the electoral register, their safety would be at risk (or where the safety of other people at the same address as them wo…
21 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to adopting the Safe and Together model for child welfare.
Answer · Clare Haughey: The Scottish Government recognises and supports the Safe and Together model as a positive approach in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children living with domestic abuse. The principles of this model are central to the priorities of Equally Safe, Scotlan…
21 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what protections are in place for child witnesses in the judicial system.
Answer · Keith Brown: A number of measures are in place to ensure child witnesses are protected within our justice system. For example, the court can take extra steps, called 'special measures', to help children and young people under 18 give the best evidence they can. Children w…
8 Dec 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it expects Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guidelines that relate to cerebral palsy in adults to be released.
Answer · Maree Todd: SIGN guidelines are produced by Health Improvement Scotland’s (HIS) evidence directory. The Scottish Government does not commission the production of SIGN guidelines and are not aware of plans from HIS to publish a SIGN guideline for adults with Cerebral Pals…