Parliamentary questions
Tim Eagle
1,493 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
9 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that, following a review of existing facilities at St Brendan’s Hospital in Castlebay by NHS Assure, "heating systems, electrical wiring, and water systems have been identified as requiring upgrade in the very near future".
Answer · Neil Gray: As a result of significant increases in construction costs due to inflation, and a lower than expected capital grant from the UK Government, a capital review is currently underway.Alongside this, we are working with all health boards to develop a whole-system…
9 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the air flow cleansing canopy in an NHS Western Isles operating theatre is showing signs of failure, but that this work is reportedly unaffordable in the current financial year.
Answer · Neil Gray: As a result of significant increases in construction costs due to inflation, and a lower than expected capital grant from the UK Government, a capital review is currently underway.Alongside this, we are working with all health boards to develop a whole-system…
9 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to its decision to pause the replacement of St Brendan’s hospital in Castlebay; whether it has held any recent meetings with NHS Western Isles, and, if so, whether it can provide details of what was discussed.
Answer · Neil Gray: In December 2023, given the extremely challenging capital funding position, NHS Boards were instructed to stop any project development spend and instead direct capital budgets towards maintenance of the existing estate and essential equipment and digital repl…
9 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is able to provide a breakdown of the number of patients that faced delayed discharge in NHS Western Isles between January 2024 and August 2024 by age group.
Answer · Neil Gray: A delayed discharge occurs when a hospital patient (aged 18 or over) who is clinically ready for discharge from inpatient hospital care continues to occupy a hospital bed beyond the date they are ready for discharge. Public Health Scotland hold data relating …
9 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many Changing Places toilets it estimates will be introduced following its announcement in its Pre-Budget Fiscal Update to reprofile the commencement of the Changing Places Toilet Fund, compared with its previous funding plans.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government committed to investing £10 million in Changing Places Toilets over the lifetime of the Parliament. Ultimately, the number of Changing Places Toilets that will be introduced as a result of investment will be determined by the numb…
9 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of the potential impact of its proposed Pre-Budget Fiscal Update reduction of £4.1 million to the Health Improvement and Protection budget on its (a) diet and healthy weight and (b) effective prescribing and therapeutics policies.
Answer · Jenni Minto: As part of the development of the measures outlined in the Pre-budget Fiscal Update, all Portfolios assessed the impact of specific measures relevant to their portfolios. The Scottish Government approach to impact assessments is guided by meeting our statutor…
9 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether its Pre-Budget Fiscal Update proposal to reprofile the timing of project spend on the Hydrogen Emerging Energies Technology Fund will impact on the ability of the selected projects to develop and demonstrate renewable hydrogen technologies by the end of the funding period in 2026.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The Hydrogen Action Plan, published in December 2022, set out a clear commitment to support renewable hydrogen production.The UK Government’s 10% cut on the Scottish Government capital budget has impacted Scottish government funding ability. However, on…
9 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29126 by Gillian Martin on 2 September 2024, whether it proposed an increase in funding for flood resilience for local authorities within the Highlands and Islands region at the last COSLA meeting on 5 September 2024.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Funding for flood resilience is distributed to local authorities through the general capital grant. The allocation mechanism is agreed by Ministers and COSLA Leaders on a national basis, rather than bespoke to each local authority, and as such there was no di…
9 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made any assessment of whether the spending reductions announced in the Pre-Budget Fiscal Update will have an indirect impact on the community link worker programme in the Highlands and Islands region.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government’s Primary Care Improvement Fund (PCIF) provides funding for the implementation of multidisciplinary teams in primary care, including Community Link Workers. The PCIF was not subject to reductions announced in the Pre-Budget Fisca…
9 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) improvement and (b) repair works have been (i) postponed or (ii) rescheduled by Traffic Scotland in the Highlands and Islands region between August 2023 and August 2024, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Seven improvement works were re-scheduled in the Highland Council Area. One set of repair works was re-scheduled in the Highland Council Area. All programmed works for the period in question have been completed.
9 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of whether its Pre-Budget Fiscal Update proposal to reduce mental health services spending by £18.8 million will have an impact on the number of people able to access (a) the Distress Brief Interventions programme and (b) student mental health suppor…
Answer · Maree Todd: Following the UK Chancellor's July statement, the Scottish Government continues to face the most challenging financial situation since devolution.Whilst any reduction is regrettable, we remain committed to taking forward our work across mental health, working…
9 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the total value of grants awarded by Creative Scotland’s Open Fund for Individuals to applicants in the Highlands and Islands region has been since May 2021, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Angus Robertson: The following table shows the total value of grants awarded by Creative Scotland’s Open Fund for Individuals to applicants in the Highlands and Islands region from 1 May 2021 to 31 August 2024, which are broken down by local authority area.Local Authori…
9 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29060 by Angus Robertson on 26 August 2024, whether an official from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) was present at the meeting, as per the established protocol that ministerial meetings have a FCDO official present.
Answer · Angus Robertson: An FCDO official was not present at this meeting. This is in accordance with standard practice for my meetings with Members of the European Parliament. FCDO officials were of course informed of the visit and programme in the normal way.
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-28961 by Jim Fairlie on 23 August 2024, whether it has any plans to publish an updated report on Scotland’s canal network, in light of it being more than 10 years since the previous report was published.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: The timing of the Making the Most of Scotland’s Canals document reflected the split from the Canals and Waterways Trust in 2012 and Ministers’ desire to set the policy context for a fully devolved Scottish Canals. That context is maintained and re…
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards prescribe alemtuzumab (Lemtrada) to treat multiple sclerosis (MS); how many patients in each NHS board are receiving this disease modifying therapy, and what its position is on whether it should be prescribed to appropriate patients.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government or Public Health Scotland (PHS).The decision to prescribe any medicine is for the clinician in charge of an individual’s care, having considered their clinical condition and any …
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards prescribe teriflunomide (Aubagio) to treat multiple sclerosis (MS); how many patients in each NHS board are receiving this disease modifying therapy, and what its position is on whether it should be prescribed to appropriate patients.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-29676 on 18 September 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/chamb…
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates that the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment will report back to it.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment was announced in the 2023 Programme for Government and is currently underway. The review is being chaired by Edel Harris OBE and the final report will be published in July 2025.The Scottish Government will pr…
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards prescribe ozanimod (Zeposia) to treat multiple sclerosis (MS); how many patients in each NHS board are receiving this disease modifying therapy, and what its position is on whether it should be prescribed to appropriate patients.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-29676 on 18 September 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-commit…
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards prescribe ponesimod (Ponvory) to treat multiple sclerosis (MS); how many patients in each NHS board are receiving this disease modifying therapy, and what its position is on whether it should be prescribed to appropriate patients.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-29676 on 18 September 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-commit…
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards prescribe hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to treat multiple sclerosis (MS); how many patients in each NHS board are receiving HSCT, and what its position is on whether HSCT should be available.
Answer · Jenni Minto: A 2019 Scottish Government-commissioned review by the Scottish Health Technologies Group recommended that where patients understand and accept the risks, HSCT should be considered as a treatment option for patients with relapsing-MS who have significant disea…
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards prescribe Plegridy (peginterferon beta 1a) to treat multiple sclerosis (MS); how many patients in each NHS board are receiving this disease modifying therapy, and what its position is on whether it should be prescribed to appropriate patients.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-29676 on 18 September 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-commit…
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards prescribe dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera) to treat multiple sclerosis (MS); how many patients in each NHS board are receiving this disease modifying therapy, and what its position is on whether it should be prescribed to appropriate patients.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-29676 on 18 September 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-commit…
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that there is early (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Answer · Jenni Minto: We are committed to ensuring that people living in Scotland with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are able to access the best possible care and support, and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and person-centred.Since October 2020 we have awarded…
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards prescribe diroximel fumarate (Vumerity) to treat multiple sclerosis (MS); how many patients in each NHS board are receiving this disease modifying therapy, and what its position is on whether it should be prescribed to appropriate patients.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-29676 on 18 September 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-commit…
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards prescribe cladribine (Mavenclad) to treat multiple sclerosis (MS); how many patients in each NHS board are receiving this disease modifying therapy, and what its position is on whether it should be prescribed to appropriate patients.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-29676 on 18 September 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-commit…
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards prescribe Avonex (interferon beta-1a) to treat multiple sclerosis (MS); how many patients in each NHS board are receiving this disease modifying therapy, and what its position is on whether it should be prescribed to appropriate patients.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-29676 on 18 September 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-commit…
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards prescribe glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) to treat multiple sclerosis (MS); how many patients in each NHS board are receiving this disease modifying therapy, and what its position is on whether it should be prescribed to appropriate patients.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-29676 on 18 September 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-commit…
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards prescribe ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) to treat multiple sclerosis (MS); how many patients in each NHS board are receiving this disease modifying therapy, and what its position is on whether it should be prescribed to appropriate patients.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-29676 on 18 September 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/chamb…
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the availability of disease modifying therapies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is committed to increasing the availability of medicines that patients in Scotland need.In Scotland, the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) appraises the clinical and cost-effectiveness of newly licensed medicines, following receipt o…
5 Sep 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the conclusions in the Economist Impact report, The value of action: mitigating the impact of neurological disorders in the United Kingdom.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government recognises how debilitating and distressing neurological conditions can be and the significant human and economic costs associated. However, we note that this report contains no Scotland-specific analyses of health policy or delivery o…