Jackie Baillie

21 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS staff have participated in the NHS Scotland Interim National Arrangement on Retire and Return since it was established, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) job role.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Whilst Scottish Government do not hold the information requested centrally, we are progressing work to allow Boards to automatically gather this.

21 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure the alignment of the processes for medicines approval by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) and the commissioning of companion diagnostics in NHS laboratories, to avoid patients being denied access to SMC-accepted precision treatments due to the NHS not having the…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government recognises that an improved streamlined process for the implementation of new genetic tests linked to a Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) approved medicine is required. The SMC currently provides early information to National Service…

21 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to set out its strategic intent for the delivery of an equitable genomics health service in Scotland, and its genomics strategy and implementation plan.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: In partnership with the Scottish Strategic Network for Genomics Medicine (SSNGM), we have been developing our Strategic Intent for Genomics Medicine which will be published in the coming weeks. While early in its’ development, we will also publish our first …

21 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government 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 offered by NHS Scotland laboratories.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The following table details the precision medicines accepted by the Scottish Medicines Consortium where the companion diagnostic test is not yet offered by NHS Scotland laboratories, and the anticipated roll-out of the appropriate test. Validation is requir…

21 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to ensure the input of (a) patients, (b) clinicians, (c) scientists and (d) industry to inform the development of Scotland's genomics strategy and implementation plan.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The delivery of Scotland Genomics strategy is being overseen by the Scottish Strategic Network for Genomic Medicine (SSNGM). The Network is supported by a Scottish Government funded transformation team which is led by a Consultant Clinical Scientist and suppo…

21 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the current status is of the (a) Principles Agreement between Scottish Government and Business and (b) Joint Taskforce on Business Regulation, and what (i) actions, (ii) outcomes and (iii) regulatory changes have been agreed by each initiative.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Business Principles Agreement, jointly developed with business, was published in December 2021 to cover the current five year Parliamentary term. The Agreement applies across all Scottish Government policy areas and provides a framework to enable more eff…

10 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take action to prevent the closure of the Glasgow Lighthouse Lab, in light of it reportedly being Scotland's flagship COVID-19 testing facility.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Glasgow Lighthouse is contracted by UK Government until March 2023 to undertake processing of PCR tests as part of the COVID-19 Infection survey (CIS). The CIS is outwith the control of the Scottish Government but officials are engaging with UKG and other…

10 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what specific support it is providing to staff employed by the Glasgow Lighthouse Lab who are at risk of redundancy.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Scottish Government Officials have had contact with representatives of the University of Glasgow and met with representatives of UNITE on 10 January to discuss recent developments in respect of the Glasgow Lighthouse Lab which is contracted by the UK Governme…

10 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent meetings its ministers have had with the University of Glasgow management regarding the future of the Glasgow Lighthouse Lab.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Glasgow Lighthouse Lab is contracted by the UK Government until March 2023 to undertake processing of PCR tests as part of the COVID-19 Infection survey (CIS). The CIS is outwith the control of the Scottish Government but officials are engaging with the U…

10 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it anticipates the impact will be on NHS Scotland laboratory transformation of the 19.4% reduction in genomics funding, as set out in the draft Budget 2023-24.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Following the 22-23 Emergency Budget Review genomics was allocated a revised budget of £5 million; this provided a £2.6 million increase on 22-21 funding. Therefore, the £5million budget allocation for genomics in 2023-24 represents a sustained investment in …

10 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment has been carried out to examine the potential impact on NHS Scotland laboratory transformation of the 19.4% reduction in genomics funding, as set out in the draft Budget 2023-24.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: As a result of the 22-23 Emergency Budget Review genomics was allocated a revised budget of £5 million, which has been sustained for 23-24. Neither the Scottish Government nor the Scottish Strategic Network for Genomic Medicine has carried out any specific i…

7 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Ministers are responsible for determining whether Scottish Water is meeting, or has met, its Principles of Charging policy and its Ministerial Objectives, or whether it has delegated this responsibility to the Water Industry Commission, and, if it has delegated respo…

Answer · Michael Matheson: The responsibilities of Scottish Ministers and the Water Industry Commission for Scotland are set out in the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002, as amended. The Principles of Charging, available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/principles-of-charging-202…

7 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many of the 750 additional nurses, midwives and allied health professionals it plans to recruit from overseas, announced in October 2022, have been recruited to date, broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government continues to monitor the overseas recruitment and considers this to be on track. As announced in October 2022 up to 750 overseas nurses, midwives and allied health professionals are to be recruited by the end of March 2023 and it is ou…

7 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many of the 300 additional interim care home beds, identified in January 2023, have since been used, broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Data around the number of people taking up interim care placements procured using the additional funding offer announced in January 2023 is published weekly on a Thursday at Interim care placement uptake - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . The data is currently no…

7 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when Helensburgh Fire Station was first identified as requiring urgent capital maintenance due to having a flat roof constructed from reinforced autoclave aerated concrete (RAAC), and what work has been done at Helensburgh Fire Station since then to ensure that the site is safe for those…

Answer · Elena Whitham: Maintenance of its estate and the allocation of its capital budget is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The safety of its staff is paramount and SFRS are continuing to monitor the measures put in place to rectify the defects and support staff…

7 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are any plans to relocate Helensburgh fire station to another site, rather than refurbishing the existing building.

Answer · Elena Whitham: The Scottish Government is not aware of plans to relocate Helensburgh Community Fire Station. Decisions on the allocation and location of resources is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

7 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated cost is of the refurbishment of Helensburgh Fire Station.

Answer · Elena Whitham: Maintenance of its estate and the allocation of its capital budget is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. SFRS is currently conducting an options appraisal exercise to identify the best and most economic options for the 14 fire stations identi…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings from the Cameron House Hotel Fatal Accident Inquiry, whether it will make further enforcement powers available to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Answer · Elena Whitham: Under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is an enforcing authority for fire safety in hotels and other relevant premises across Scotland and already has the necessary powers available to them to enforce fire safety . As…

24 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of expenditure for the £147.471 million allocated to Other Board Services and Miscellaneous Income as part of the line for Covid-19 Funding and Other Services (restated) in the draft Scottish Budget 2023-24.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Despite the UK Government stepping back from COVID funding from 2022-23, there remain COVID related pressures and costs across the system. The 2022-23 health budget provides for test and protect, PPE and the ongoing vaccination programme, including costs rela…

24 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of expenditure for the £1,067.300 million (fiscal resource) allocated to Social Care Support and NCS Delivery in the draft Scottish Budget 2023-24.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The 2023-24 budget confirms our ongoing commitment to invest in social care and increasing the sustainability of the sector ahead of implementation of the National Care Service. The 2023-24 Stage 1 budget presented, at level 4, a total investment of £1.2 bil…

24 Jan 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make further enforcement powers available to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, in light of findings from the Cameron House Hotel Fatal Accident Inquiry.

23 Jan 2023 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to increase uptake of the HPV vaccine, in light of warnings from Jo’s Trust that girls in the most deprived areas of Scotland are missing out.

17 Jan 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when non-urgent elective operations will resume in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

20 Dec 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect primary care services, in light of reports showing the workforce and demand pressures on general practice.

12 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11516 by Kevin Stewart on 9 November 2022, when work to determine the implications of VAT on the National Care Service and associated Care Boards will be complete, and when any decisions based on this work will be made.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: After competitive tender, a contract was awarded to Anderson Anderson & Brown LLP to obtain expert independent advice on the implications of VAT on the NCS and associated Care Boards. This work is ongoing. We are also engaging with HMT. No decisions have been…

7 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-02569 by Kevin Stewart on 9 September 2021, how many short-term mobility aids have been issued by each health and social care partnership since March 2022.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government does not currently hold this information. Following the publication of Guidance on the provision of wheelchairs on short term loan in March 2021 ( https://www.gov.scot/publications/guidance-provision-wheelchairs-short-term-loan/ ) S…

5 Dec 2022 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will provide an update on whether it will instruct Scottish Water to freeze water rates for 2023-24 to help with the cost of living crisis.  

28 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding avenues it has explored for Hourglass Scotland services, following the organisation's last meeting with the Minister for Equalities and Older People.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: Following the last meeting with Hourglass Scotland, officials have explored relevant funding across the Scottish Government. Currently there are no suitable Scottish Government funding options that are open for bids. There may be alternative funding opportuni…

28 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) funding and (b) support it will provide to Hourglass Scotland, whose 24/7 service is reported to be at risk of closure in March 2023 should no further grant be made available.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: With regard to funding, I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12704 on 12 December 2022 on the Parliament website, the search facility for which can be found on https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers Give…

23 Nov 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what work it has undertaken to help Homeless Project Scotland find premises in Glasgow.