Jackie Baillie

13 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the finding of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society 2021 Workforce Wellbeing Survey that 33% of pharmacy workers have reported thinking of leaving the profession altogether, how it plans to relieve pressures on the pharmacy industry in general.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer is putting together a workforce forum to look at the workforce challenges and bringing together stakeholders from pharmacy education and pharmacy service provision to set a strategic workforce plan for the profession. The Sco…

13 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it plans to invest in (a) training more pharmacy staff and (b) upskilling existing staff in order to decrease pressure on the pharmacy sector.

Answer · Maree Todd: There are approximately 240 students each year who graduate from the two Schools of Pharmacy in Scotland. There has been an increase in the overall numbers of students studying pharmacy with more Scottish domiciled students undertaking the course. The two Sch…

13 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce protected learning time and the necessary infrastructure in order for all pharmacists to receive support in professional development from foundation to consultant level.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: There are no plans to introduce protected learning time at present. It is a decision for employers to allow staff time to study for additional qualifications. To support delivery of the Community Pharmacy First Plus service, Community Pharmacist contractors …

13 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to invest in the introduction of an electronic single patient record across Scotland, in order to save time and improve patient safety.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: It is our intention to make it easier for health & care professionals to access relevant information about the person being cared for, regardless of organisational boundaries. We also intend on providing patient access to their health & care information, as s…

13 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to (a) widen access to pharmacy education and (b) promote pharmacy as a career choice.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government continues to work with NHS National Education for Scotland (NES) and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in developing a joint programme to encourage more students, and not just school leavers, to consider careers in pharmacy, including e…

13 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on the use of (a) electronic prescribing and dispensing systems and (b) other technologies that could reduce pressure on the pharmacy sector.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04154 on 17 November 2021. In relation to other technologies that could reduce pressure on the pharmacy sector, community pharmacies have had access to NHS Near Me since 2020. This offers an additional communi…

13 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to work with NHS boards and pharmacy contractors to define the standard of care that should be expected by patients across all sectors of pharmacy.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The pharmacy profession and provision of pharmaceutical care is regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council, who assure and improve standards of care for people using pharmacy services. The Achieving Excellence in Pharmaceutical Care strategy, published i…

13 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to ensure that the health and wellbeing of pharmacists is explicitly protected throughout the sector, in order to avoid burnout and workers leaving the profession.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer to member to the answer to question S6W-05124 on 10 January 2022. 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-committe…

13 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to encourage owners of defibrillators to register the devices so that ambulance services can have easier access to them during emergency situations.

Answer · Maree Todd: The refreshed Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) Strategy 2021 to 2026, published in March recognises the importance of defibrillation registration. We are key partners within the Save a Life for Scotland Partnership (SALFS). We would urge all defibrillat…

13 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to expand education on the use of defibrillators.

Answer · Maree Todd: An aim of the refreshed Out-of-Hospital Strategy 2021 to 2026 is to ensure that 20% of all OHCAs will have a defibrillator applied before the arrival of ambulance service. We want to improve bystander confidence in the use of these devices and the Strategy in…

13 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to (a) promote the teaching of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and (b) improve access to resources that aid in teaching CPR.

Answer · Maree Todd: Since 2015 the Save a Life for Scotland (SALFS) partnership has equipped over 640,000 people in Scotland with the skills to perform CPR. The refreshed strategy seeks to increase this to 1 million people by 2026. This will be achieved through continued partner…

13 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports the use of a centralised network, such as The Circuit, which provides a national overview on the locations of defibrillators and connects defibrillators to NHS ambulance services across the UK.

Answer · Maree Todd: We welcomed the launch of the Circuit, which aims to improve access to defibrillators across the UK. We would urge all defibrillator guardians to register their defibrillator so that the Scottish Ambulance Service call handlers can direct people to them in in…

13 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure easier access to defibrillators for the Scottish Ambulance Service, in light of reported studies finding that every minute without cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by up to 10%.

Answer · Maree Todd: All patient conveying vehicles including paramedic response units carry defibrillators and staff are trained to use them. Community First responder vehicles also carry defibrillators, and the Scottish Ambulance Service has access to a system which is used to …

7 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what role the acceleration of AI will play in the NHS recovery plan published in August 2021.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has embraced artificial intelligence (AI) as a transformational technology for public good. We were the first UK country to establish an AI Strategy which set out our ambition for Scotland to become a global exemplar in the ethical a…

7 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to implement the widespread use of images in referrals to dermatology departments in order to support more efficient diagnoses and treatment plans.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) (and prior to this the Modernising Patient Pathways Programme within Scottish Government), have supported the rollout of the Digital Dermatology Appointment (DDA) system. This platform allows patients to interact wit…

7 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research is being done to explore the use of AI in further high-demand medical areas.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: There is a range of projects being undertaken in Scotland to explore the use of AI in further high-demand medical areas, ranging from robotic surgery to the use of virtual reality in supporting mental wellbeing is currently being researched, evaluated, and im…

7 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are to support dermatology teams post-COVID-19-pandemic.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Our NHS workforce, across all specialties and care settings, have been remarkable throughout the pandemic. We are deeply grateful for their continued courage, commitment and professionalism. This year we have made £12 million available to support the wellbei…

7 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support the foundation of novel community and local imaging centres (CLICs) across Scotland to aid in taking high-quality images at the primary care level without increasing the responsibilities of GP surgeries.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) is working collaboratively with the Dermatology AI Consortium championing Community Local Image Centres (CLICs) to improving the capture of images as part of the dermatology pathway. The idea is relatively new and th…

7 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing for the use of AI to more rapidly diagnose skin cancer.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: In Scotland, NHS Forth Valley is hosting a national project to support early diagnosis of skin cancer supported by digitalisation, the use of high-quality images, and machine learning. The project is called 25 by 25 - diagnosing cancer within 25 minutes by 20…

7 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to provide funding to develop and test an AI platform for the rapid diagnosis of skin cancer.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has invested in the Detect Cancer Early programme in this area, has committed to investing in an AI Hub, and has prioritised the 25 by 25 programme for innovation investment in 2022. This will enable AI innovation in the form of AI e…

7 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what additional support it is offering specialist dermatology services in the diagnosis and management of suspected skin cancer.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: A clinical refresh of the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer has been completed with revised guidance published in January 2019. The Guidelines support primary care clinicians in ensuring those with symptoms suspicious of cancer are put on the …

7 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of rising rates of skin cancer, and what its position is on the urgency of this issue, in light of there reportedly being more deaths in Scotland of young adults from melanoma than any other cancer.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The most recently published ten year percentage change tables show some upward incidence trends and downward mortality trends. This reflects improved survival. We are committed to finding cancer early when the chance of survival and even cure is higher – thi…

7 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that patients have been denied access to care from the NHS Centre for Integrative Care.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: All NHS Boards across Scotland have the option of referring patients to the NHS Centre for Integrative Care (CIC) for services not available locally. It is for individual NHS Boards to decide what complementary and alternative medicines/therapies they make …

7 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether integrative care is a cost effective and efficient approach to healthcare.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government recognises that Complementary and Alternative Medicines Services (CAMS), may offer relief to some people suffering from a wide variety of conditions. It is for individual NHS Boards to decide what complementary and alternative medici…

7 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether it is providing adequate funding to support the NHS Centre for Integrative Care, and whether it plans to provide additional funding in this regard.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government does not provide direct funding for the NHS Centre for Integrative Care (CIC). The CIC is a facility owned, operated and funded by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC).

7 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what resources it is providing for the long-term care required for people with long COVID, chronic fatigue syndromes and chronic pain.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The 2022-23 Scottish Budget delivers record funding of £18 billion for the health portfolio to support our vital health and care services, including those services that are supporting the needs of people living with long COVID, chronic fatigue syndromes and c…

7 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to address the variation across NHS board areas regarding the experiences of patients trying to access integrative care and services offered by the NHS Centre for Integrative Care.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: It is for individual NHS Boards to decide which services they make available based on national and local priorities and the needs of their resident populations.

7 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure there is a clear pathway and access to the NHS Centre for Integrative Care that is fully funded across NHS Scotland.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The NHS Centre for Integrative Care (CIC) is a facility that all NHS Boards across Scotland have the option of referring patients to for services not available locally. The Scottish Government is providing £12.4 billion for frontline NHS boards, which is a £…

7 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that there is no tobacco advertising visible outside registered tobacco retailers.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 prohibits the display of tobacco related products inside retailer premises. No advertising of branded tobacco products is permitted either inside or outside a premise but stores are allowed to have …

7 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been awarded through the Better Places Green Recovery Fund in 2021-22; who received funding, and how much each received.

Answer · Kate Forbes: A list of the NatureScot Better Places Fund recipients can be found on its website using the link below. It includes both recipients of the first round of the Better Places Fund in 2020-21, a NatureScot initiative, and a second round of funding in 2021-22. B…