Pauline McNeill

27 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has expressed a position to the British Medical Association regarding the return to face-to-face appointments in GP surgeries, and, if so, what this position was.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government’s position is expressed in the joint statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and the BMA, published on 5 October. For many years now, in person face-to-face appointments form part of a hybrid model of options t…

27 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether elective surgery in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has been halted, and, if so, for what reason.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: While elective surgery has not halted in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, there have been reductions in the number of elective surgeries being carried out in order to focus on cancer and other urgent cases. The scale-down of elective routine surgery is under w…

27 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the British Medical Association regarding the return to face-to-face appointments in GP surgeries.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The British Medical Association (BMA) and I issued a joint statement to all practices on face-to-face appointments as a result of multiple discussions between both parties. For many years now, in person face-to-face appointments form part of a hybrid model o…

15 Sep 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to ban the use of snares to capture wild animals.

13 Sep 2021 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to analysis by HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland suggesting that the Crown Office is masking the time taken to decide on criminal prosecutions.

7 Sep 2021 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the number of Afghan refugees that local authorities have offered to settle.

Answer · Shona Robison: Scotland has always played its part in welcoming refugees, and as people from Afghanistan start to settle in Scotland, we are seeing the same. Between June and 12 September, around 180 people in 53 families arrived in Scotland across nine local authority are…

7 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has undertaken of the potential economic impact of introducing COVID-19 vaccine passports.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Certification provides a targeted and proportionate means to reduce risk while maximising our ability to keep open certain settings and events where transmission is a higher risk. If the choice is between sectors and settings being closed and a limited certif…

7 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it used when deciding which venues and settings would require visitors to be subject to a COVID-19 vaccine status check before entry.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We have gathered a range of evidence and in considering the venues and settings we must also consider the behaviour, activities, and interactions that occur within those settings. Research evidence indicates that being vaccinated reduces the risk that a pers…

7 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported concerns within the hospitality industry that the decision regarding which venues and settings will be subject to COVID-19 vaccine passports is perceived to be arbitrary and unequally applied.

Answer · Ivan McKee: COVID-19 case numbers remain high and the winter period ahead will pose significant challenges of increased transmission and related pressure on the National Health Service. Action is therefore needed across all sectors to ensure compliance with baseline COVI…

7 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact that COVID-19 vaccine status checks and vaccine passports will have on (a) vaccine uptake and (b) COVID-19 case numbers.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Evidence from overseas suggests there may be an uptake in vaccination after an announcement to introduce certification. In Scotland, in the two weeks since the announcement on 1 September, there has been a 10% increase in uptake for 18-29s first doses in com…

30 Aug 2021 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Government has to tackle public displays of anti-Irish racism and anti-Catholic prejudice.

30 Aug 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has issued to schools regarding the identification of food on their menu that contains pork.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government published updated guidance on Healthy Eating in Schools on our website in February 2021. This guidance is available on our website through the following link: Healthy eating in schools: guidance 2020 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) Our gu…

27 Aug 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-02153 by Keith Brown on 26 August 2021, for what reason there is a gap of around three years between the acquisition of the site and the commencement of construction work on the new HMP Glasgow.

Answer · Keith Brown: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: Whilst a site for HMP Glasgow has been acquired, SPS still need to finalise the future operational requirements for the establ…

24 Aug 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it plans to provide to Glasgow City Council to implement the recommendations in the report by the Connectivity Commission, including funding for the proposed metro system.

9 Aug 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported longstanding calls for a modern prison to replace HM Prison Barlinnie, for what reason such a replacement will reportedly not be ready until 2026.

Answer · Keith Brown: Prison infrastructure projects are large and complex. The timing of the HMP Glasgow, which will replace HMP Barlinnie, has been impacted by challenges in identifying and securing a suitable site as well as market conditions. An extensive search was required t…

28 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the option of undertaking COVID-19 testing will be retained as a substitute for vaccination status certification, for the purpose of international travel, for people who cannot receive any of the COVID-19 vaccines currently available.

Answer · Maree Todd: Since May 2021 we have a system in place through NHS Inform to provide people with a record of their vaccination status if they need this for international travel. Scottish residents who want to demonstrate their vaccination status can request a certificate t…

28 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether its plans for certification of COVID-19 vaccination status for international travel include exemptions for people who cannot receive any of the COVID-19 vaccines currently available.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We are working closely across the four nations and international partners on restarting international travel safely. Our discussions are still ongoing with the UK Government and international partners on exemptions for people who cannot receive COVID-19 vacci…

22 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a minimum capacity that secure accommodation must be kept at, and whether this contributes to children having to be held in prison when these units are full.

Answer · Clare Haughey: There is no minimum capacity that secure accommodation must be kept at. There are a total of 84 secure care placements in Scotland including 6 emergency beds which can be used for a limited time if required. Demand for secure care placements in Scotland is c…

22 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what level of healthcare provision will be available in the community custody units that are due to open in 2022.

Answer · Maree Todd: The responsibility for the delivery of prisoner healthcare, including services to women living in the new community custody units in Dundee and Glasgow, rests with local NHS Boards. The Scottish Government is working collaboratively with the SPS, NHS Tayside…

22 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendations of its independent review into the delivery of forensic mental health services, and findings from the Council of Europe's European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, following its visits to Scotland, …

Answer · Kevin Stewart: As a result of declining numbers of female high secure patients in Scotland, the decision was taken to close the female facility at The State Hospital in 2009. However, both the Independent Review into the Delivery of Forensic Mental Health Services and the E…

15 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the number of spectators permitted to attend professional football club matches in Glasgow under the COVID-19 restrictions is fewer than that agreed for the recent European championship fixtures in the city.

Answer · Maree Todd: EURO 2020 was a flagship event approved by the Scottish Government through an events gateway process. Flagship events are internationally significant events which maintain Scotland’s longer-term profile as a host of major events, with an eye to recovery from …

15 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the preparations by professional football clubs in Glasgow for hosting more than 2,000 spectators at fixtures under the COVID-19 restrictions, and whether these meet the standards set by (a) it and (b) the SFA ahead of agreeing larger attendances at th…

Answer · Maree Todd: It is a matter for local authorities to consider/assess individual applications having considered particular circumstances of the current regulations and latest guidance. Throughout the pandemic our approach and principles are set out in our Framework for De…

15 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action professional football clubs must take under the COVID-19 restrictions for it to consider approving attendances of more than 2,000 spectators at fixtures.

Answer · Maree Todd: We want event organisers to be able to plan future activity with confidence, but we must continue to move very carefully to ensure continued suppression of COVID-19. The First Minister’s statement on 13 July confirmed that the size of events and stadia attend…

14 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake in deprived areas.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: It is vital for the current COVID-19 vaccination programme to reach everyone and that no one is left behind, both for individual health and our collective community wellbeing. In order to achieve this, we have embedded inclusion as a key aspect of our nation…

14 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for the (a) completion and (b) opening of the replacement of HMP Barlinnie, and whether planning permission for this to be sited south of Royston Road in the city has been approved.

Answer · Keith Brown: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: 1. It is anticipated that the replacement for HMP Barlinnie (HMP Glasgow) will be completed in 2026. 2. HMP Glasgow is estima…

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date all 16- and 17-year-olds can expect to receive their (a) first and (b) second COVID-19 vaccination, and what procedures are in place to allow for an acceleration in vaccinations among this age group in virus hotspot areas.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government remains committed to offering Covid vaccination to everyone who is eligible. We continue to do so in line with clinical advice. Following the JCVI’s latest advice on the vaccination of younger people we are now inviting all 16 and 17 …

7 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of its Budget has been allocated to projects designed to help alleviate the climate emergency.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Government budgets contribute to alleviating the climate emergency through a range of investments, including spend that reduces greenhouse gas emissions towards net zero, spend that delivers emissions reductions through a fair and just transition, and spend f…

7 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the environmental impact of the (a) plastic and (b) other pollution caused by littering and fly tipping.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Plastic and other littered and flytipped materials represent a loss of resources, which contribute to the climate crisis and have the potential to impact biodiversity. Policy interventions are being developed to reduce this impact and a robust analysis of the…

7 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of its Budget has been allocated to projects designed to alleviate environmental problems that are not linked with climate change.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Government budgets achieve multiple overlapping objectives and so it is not possible to distinguish environmental spending that does and does not alleviate climate change. A wide range of Scottish Government budgets directly address environmental problems. In…

7 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) encouragement and (b) support it offers local authorities to (i) plant trees and (ii) develop green spaces on gap/brownfield sites.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government recognises the vital importance and multiple benefits of appropriate tree planting and development of green spaces and we are working hard with a range of stakeholders, including local authorities, to encourage and support these activi…