Jackie Baillie

17 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to alleviate the pressure that nurses are reportedly facing to deliver a full service to stoma patients, in light of the reported reduction in band 6 and above specialists.

Answer · Jenni Minto: As part of the recently concluded information gathering exercise on the provision of stoma care and stoma specialist nurse coverage across Scotland's 14 territorial health boards, all boards confirmed that their stoma patients had access to specialist nurse s…

17 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prioritise the needs of patients living with a stoma or awaiting stoma surgery.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government has recently concluded an information gathering exercise on the provision of stoma care and stoma specialist nurse coverage across Scotland's 14 territorial health boards. The results of this exercise will be presented to the Scottish …

17 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the British Medical Association Scotland's reported statement that the NHS workforce is "a system bursting at the seams, with a workforce running on empty", in light of reports that hip operation waiting lists have tripled in six NHS boards.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Scottish Government values the NHS workforce and is committed to investing in Scotland’s NHS workforce. Official NHS Scotland workforce statistics show record high staffing levels across all professional groups as at September 2023, including Medical and Dent…

17 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what work is being done to address long waiting lists, in light of reports that hip operation waits have tripled in six NHS boards.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S6T-01624 on 7 November 2023. All answers to parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at Meeting of the Parliament: 07/11/2023 | Scottish Parli…

16 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which cabinet secretary or minister commissioned the guidance on mobile messaging apps as part of its record management policy, and when.

Answer · Shona Robison: Director General Corporate has senior responsibility for all aspects of records management in Scottish Government as stated at Element 1 of our approved Records Management Plan .

16 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what sanctions will be applied in the event that any minister, special adviser or official has failed to record information in line with its records management policy.

Answer · Shona Robison: Ministers responsibilities for recording information are clearly set out in the Ministerial Code Scottish Ministerial Code: 2023 Edition - gov.scot The Scottish Government - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) Special advisers are bound by most provisions of the Civil …

16 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which cabinet secretary or minister signed off on the guidance on mobile message apps as part of its record management policy, and when.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23041 on 29 November 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-commit…

15 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of when cervical cancer will be eliminated in Scotland.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government continues to progress work towards the elimination of cervical cancer in Scotland, in line with the targets set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This work has included the introduction of a one-dose schedule of the HPV vaccine, …

15 Nov 2023 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how the Staff Cost Provision uprating for 2024-25 will be calculated.

14 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what dates members of its Covid Inquiries Response Directorate have held meetings with the lawyers from the UK COVID-19 Inquiry.  

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is fully cooperating with both the UK and Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry and is in regular communication with Inquiry teams as required as both a core participant and a provider of material. The Scottish Government is unable offer a runnin…

14 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when its Covid Inquiries Response Directorate was established and which (a) minister and (b) directorate it reports to.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government first established the Covid Inquiries Information Governance Division in July 2021 to support the Scottish Government in promptly responding to requests for information from the both the UK and Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry. The division …

14 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many officials are currently working within its Covid Inquiries Response Directorate, broken down by civil service grade.  

Answer · Shona Robison: As of 06 November 2023, there are 40 civil servants working within the Covid Inquiries Response Directorate. The breakdown by civil service grade is as follows: Grade Number of civil servants Director 2 (1 of which is providing part time support) Deputy …

13 Nov 2023 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what immediate action the Scottish Government is taking to address the reported crisis in social care, in light of the letter from the Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland stating that the social care pay uplift is insufficient.

8 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the announcement by NHS England on 7 November 2023, whether anastrozole will be introduced as a preventative breast cancer drug by NHS Scotland.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The National Cancer Medicines Advisory Group (NCMAG) will review the use of Anastrozole as a preventative treatment for post-menopausal women at a moderate or high risk of breast cancer, along with several other medicines for the chemoprevention of breast can…

7 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it was consulted by Scottish Water regarding the salary of its chief executive.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government was consulted by Scottish Water and is satisfied that the correct process was followed by the Scottish Water board in setting the remuneration of the Chief Executive. Scottish Water’s Executive salaries are amongst the lowest of any co…

7 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Water uprates any private sector contracts using the Consumer Prices Index.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: This is a matter for Scottish Water. Scottish Water utilises a variety of approaches regarding price increases during the life of a contract framework, agreed at the point of award.

7 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Scottish Water regarding the planned industrial action.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The industrial action and pay negotiations are a matter for Scottish Water as the employer and the recognised Trade Unions. Correspondence was received from UNISON, GMB and Unite.

7 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which private sector companies are strategic partners of Scottish Water, and what the monetary value has been of the contract for each such partner in each of the last 10 years.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Scottish Water has over 400 supply chain partners. Over 90% of its procurement expenditure is on businesses based in Scotland and 75% of their supply chain classified as small or medium sized enterprises. Scottish Water sets out information on its supply chai…

7 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Scottish Water is reportedly not prepared to separate negotiations on a revised pay and grading structure from the pay offer for 2023.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The negotiation strategy is a matter for Scottish Water. However, it is clear that implementing a new pay and grading system was important to Scottish Water as part of its business transformation activity.

7 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Scottish Water negotiations with trade unions, which are being facilitated by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, regarding pay.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Pay negotiations are a matter for Scottish Water as the employer and the Trade Unions. Industrial action has been suspended pending a ballot on a new offer.

7 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what sites are currently identified by the Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland as being of potential concern and requiring sampling by Scottish Water.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland’s active and past Enforcement Notices are published on www.dwqr.scot/regulator-activity/enforcement/ . Monitoring requirements for Scottish Water are set out in The Public Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulatio…

7 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the trade unions involved in the planned industrial action at Scottish Water.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The industrial action and pay negotiations are a matter for Scottish Water as the employer and the recognised Trade Unions. Correspondence was received from UNISON, GMB and Unite.

7 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much Scottish Water has paid to private sector contractors in each year since 2007, expressed both in monetary terms and as a percentage of overall spend.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Scottish Water sets out information on its supply chain and broader expenditure in its Annual Reports, available at www.scottishwater.co.uk/Help-and-Resources/Document-Hub/Key-Publications/Annual-Reports .

7 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the monetary value is of the Scottish Water contract with Clancy for (a) the current financial year and (b) each of the last 10 financial years, broken down by the area of business.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Scottish Water holds information for seven years, in line with HMRC guidance. The following information has been provided for the last seven years across water and waste water. A new framework was put in place in 2021-22.   Numbers in £ Area of Business Co…

7 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what amount of Scottish Water’s (a) construction projects and (b) maintenance, operation and repairs have been delivered (i) in-house and (ii) by external contractors, in each year since 2007.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Scottish Water publishes its procurement strategy and reports on its website at www.scottishwater.co.uk/Help-and-Resources/Document-Hub/Key-Publications/Procurement-and-Supply .

7 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether an equality impact assessment was carried out by Scottish Water regarding its recent job evaluation proposals.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The completion of an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) is a matter for Scottish Water. Scottish Water has confirmed that an EIA was carried out and updated as necessary.

7 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which private sector companies have been contracted by Scottish Water in each year since 2007 for (a) construction projects and (b) maintenance, operation and repairs.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: All Scottish Water contracts, including awardees, are available at www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search .

7 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6F-02515 by Humza Yousaf on 9 November 2023, whether it will detail the ministerial discussions that took place regarding approval for setting the remuneration in the current regulatory period of the chief executive of Scottish Water.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The remuneration of Scottish Water’s Chief Executive is set out in its Annual Reports. These can be found on Scottish Water’s website at www.scottishwater.co.uk/Help-and-Resources/Document-Hub/Key-Publications/Annual-Reports . Ministers considered and agre…

6 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15260 by Humza Yousaf on 7 March 2023, whether it will provide an update on which precision medicines and treatments have been accepted by the Scottish Medicines Consortium for use by NHS Scotland where the companion diagnostic test is not currently…

Answer · Michael Matheson: The only precision medicine accepted by the Scottish Medicines Consortium where the companion diagnostic test is not yet offered by NHS Scotland laboratories is Pemigatinib (SMC Number 2399). We are continuing to work closely with key partners, such as the S…

6 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15263 by Humza Yousaf on 7 March 2023, what steps it is taking to implement an "improved streamlined process for the implementation of new genetic tests linked to a Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) approved medicines".

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) continues to provide early information - on an in confidence basis - to Health Boards on medicines in clinical development that are expected to require a companion diagnostic through regular horizon scanning reports. A…