Parliamentary questions
Elaine Smith
1,153 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
31 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how regional variations in the delivery of services for people requiring stoma care support at home are being addressed.
Answer · Shona Robison: Where an individual is identified as being at critical or substantial risk regarding their independent living or wellbeing, personal and nursing care services should be provided. A recent survey of NHS Boards indicates that stoma care is provided through loc…
31 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to meet an increase in demand for specialist support for people living at home who require stoma care.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all people who require stoma care services are able to receive the best possible care and support wherever possible and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put the patient at the …
31 Jan 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the finance secretary has had with the Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities regarding how the 2018-19 Budget can contribute to tackling child poverty.
29 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its assurances for public transparency in 2017 in relation to meetings of the government-appointed National Advisory Committee for Chronic Pain, for what reason there is no publication of minutes or agendas for meetings in August and December 2017.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: There was a slight delay to the August minutes being ratified as the Chair was absent from the December meeting due to illness. These minutes are now available to view on the website. Minutes of the December meeting will be published once they have been rati…
23 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the collapse of Carillion, what discussions it has had with the ScotRail Alliance regarding the Edinburgh Waverley platform extension contract, and what steps it plans to ensure that the workers involved in (a) this and (b) other public infrastructure projects are employed …
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Transport Scotland has been in regular dialogue with Network Rail following the announcement on 15 January 2018 regarding Carillion. Network Rail has confirmed that works on the Edinburgh Waverley platform extensions remain on programme. The Scottish Governm…
16 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-13628 by Aileen Campbell on 10 January 2018, what action it takes to ensure that officials dealing with chronic pain issues take account of the public interest when making decisions; what training the officials receive in this regard, and what its p…
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Ministerial decisions are informed by the expert advice of the National Advisory Committee for Chronic Pain, which includes a range of governmental and external advisors, including patient representatives.
19 Dec 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Lord Advocate will provide an update regarding how the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service's reform of its working practices in dealing with sexual offence cases will help ensure that victims feel supported during the justice process.
15 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in order to meet its objectives for increasing the number of women entering and remaining in the industry, what support it can give to Forth Ports to ensure the development of a more diverse workforce, including through maximising the opportunities offered by the development of the new …
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government is committed to equality between men and women and we believe that women should be fairly and properly represented across all sectors. Forth Ports offers a wide range of career opportunities across its business with a focus on schools,…
15 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the local childcare infrastructure in the Grangemouth area has the capacity to support the workforce that is anticipated for the construction of the new Forth Ports Training Academy, and what support it can offer to build capacity.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: This private development has only recently been announced and we have no indication of the scale of the development or of any additional childcare need that may arise.
15 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to ensure good public transport access to the new Forth Ports Training Academy at Grangemouth.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Forth Ports have selected a location for the facility at the entrance to the Port to ensure that general access and the use of public transport is as easy as possible. The Port of Grangemouth has motorway and road access adjacent to the M9 and is served by lo…
15 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the benefits are expected to be for the local community in the Grangemouth area in relation to the (a) construction and (b) functioning of the new Forth Ports Training Academy.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Forth Ports has not yet selected the construction company for the construction of the facility and is going through a tender process at present. Once operational it is envisaged that the facility will be used by local businesses helping to assist the growing …
15 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what back-up system is in place to ensure the dignity and safety of a person in receipt of a home care package in the event of a home care visit being cancelled due to staff shortages.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government has overall responsibility for health and social care policy in Scotland, however the statutory responsibility for delivering or commissioning services at a local level lies with local authorities, NHS boards and integrated health and …
15 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many specialist stoma care nurses are currently employed by each NHS board, and how many were employed five years ago.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all people who require stoma care services are able to receive the best possible care and support wherever possible, and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put the patient at the…
15 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities have access to the services of specialist stoma care nurses, and how these nurses are used.
Answer · Shona Robison: Stoma care is assessed within the NHS by a stoma care or colorectal nurse specialist following surgery and people will be discharged with the necessary equipment to manage their stoma care at home. Those who require support should receive that either at home …
15 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the expected frequency should be of home care visits for patients requiring stoma care support.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-13474 on 9 January 2018. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusines…
15 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether each local authority should provide a home care service that includes stoma care.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government has overall responsibility for health and social care policy in Scotland, however the statutory responsibility for delivering or commissioning services at a local level lies with local authorities, NHS boards and integrated health and …
15 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government who the Scottish Stoma Forum reports to regarding problems identified within (a) local authorities and (b) NHS boards, and how any concerns are addressed.
Answer · Shona Robison: In line with the recommendations in the Stoma Appliance Service in the Community Quality and Cost Effectiveness Review (February 2016), the Scottish Government engages with the Scottish Stoma Forum and Reference Group - formerly the Scottish Stoma Forum - on …
13 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages and supports employers in the manufacturing sector to provide high-quality facilities for breastfeeding mothers.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government supports breastfeeding mothers through a number of initiatives including: publication of the Improving Maternal and Infant Nutrition: A Framework for Action (2011) and funding NHS boards to implement a range of breastfeeding support ac…
13 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how young parents will be supported in taking up the opportunities that will be offered by the Manufacturing Innovation District.
Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-13403 on 9 January 2018. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/…
13 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it is having with stakeholders to ensure that the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland and the Manufacturing Innovation District will have good public transport links.
Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-13403 on 9 January 2018. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/…
13 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will encourage women returners to take up employment at the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland.
Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-13403 on 9 January 2018. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/…
13 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland will have a workplace nursery.
Answer · Keith Brown: The National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland (NMIS) will be an industry-led centre of manufacturing expertise where research, industry and the public sector work together to transform skills, productivity and innovation. Following the announcement on 1…
10 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government where responsibility lies for the provision and publication of equality impact assessments alongside strategic housing improvement plans, including with regard to mitigating actions to address any inequalities identified.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) guidance is clear that in preparing its SHIP, a local authority should take into account the housing needs of the communities they serve and related equalities issues. In addressing the equalities impact of the SHI…
10 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the provisions of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 that require local authorities to take due regard of the long-term supply of appropriately trained construction and maintenance labour has been monitored, and how it will be recorded during the Affordable Supply Housing. Programme
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 places a statutory requirement on local authorities to produce a Local Housing Strategy (LHS). LHS guidance expects Local authorities to give full consideration to factors which may impact on the pace and scale of housing deliv…
10 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will support local authorities in mitigating the effect of reports of rising rents in some inner city areas on low-income workers.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: 1 December 2017. From that date, local authorities can apply to Scottish Ministers to have an area designated as a Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) where an authority can demonstrate that private rents in that area are rising too much, causing undue hardship to tenan…
10 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what initiatives it plans in 2018-19 to increase affordable housing options in all categories for over-60s.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government’s ‘Age, Home and Community Strategy’ was published jointly with COSLA in late 2011 and sets out a clear vision along with a number of outcomes to help realise the aspirations of enabling older people to live independently at home. The …
10 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the affordable home ownership properties identified in the Affordable Housing Supply Programme has been taken up by (a) first-time buyers and (b) people over 60, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Open Market shared Equity Scheme (OMSE) and New Supply Shared Equity Scheme (NSSE) both fall under the Scottish Government’s Low Cost Initiative for First Time Buyers (LIFT) and provide support for affordable home ownership through the Scottish Government…
10 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of local authority-owned land has been (a) sold to private developers and (b) retained for the purpose of building council housing for social rent in each of the last five years.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government does not hold this information.
10 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how local authority strategic housing investment plans help to meet the need for affordable housing among people over 50.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Local authorities are responsible for assessing housing need and demand and setting out in Local Housing Strategies their approach to meeting these requirements. This includes consideration of the needs of specific groups, including Older People. Where Local …
10 Dec 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of affordable housing in each local authority area is currently occupied by people over 60, also broken down by the category of housing.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Information on the current characteristics and composition of households in properties provided thorough particular affordable housing supply programmes is not held centrally. However information on the current age profile of all social rented households in S…