Parliamentary questions
Rhoda Grant
2,396 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
16 Feb 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the long-term solution for the A83 Rest and Be Thankful will begin during the current parliamentary session.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Delivery of a permanent and resilient solution to the landslip risks at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful is a priority and we continue to seek ways to achieve that as quickly as possible, noting that all of the options require complex civil engineering. Transpor…
16 Feb 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the medium-term solution for the A83 Rest and Be Thankful will allow free-flowing, two-way traffic.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The objective of the medium-term solution is to provide a safe, proportionate and more resilient diversion route for use if the A83 is closed. The improvements to the Old Military Road will improve the resilience of the diversion route, reduce journey times, …
16 Feb 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what potential impact the current inflationary pressures may have on the delivery of the (a) medium- and (b) long-term solution for the A83 Rest and Be Thankful.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to an infrastructure solution to address the A83 Rest and Be Thankful landslip risks. I share the urgency communities and businesses place on maintaining and improving connectivity of this vital route, which is …
6 Feb 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported concerns raised by the British Society for Rheumatology regarding patients experiencing delays to receiving and starting vital medications, what its position is on whether homecare medicines services are safe and fit for purpose.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Scottish Government is aware of recent difficulties experienced by some homecare providers. NHS National Procurement in partnership with Health Boards have worked closely with the homecare providers to improve service performance. All homecare providers are n…
6 Feb 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of how the reported effect of inflation on staff (a) salary and (b) vacancy levels may be impacting the (i) performance and (ii) safety of homecare medicines services.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government have not undertaken any assessment on the effects of inflation specifically within the medicines homecare service. Like a number of sectors, homecare providers have experienced challenges in recruitment and retention of staff, which ha…
6 Feb 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in the last two years, (a) how many times and (b) for what length of time NHS Scotland has taken action to ensure that homecare medicines services return to the agreed standards.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: NHS National Procurement in partnership with the Health Boards are responsible for the provision of medicine homecare services and have met with affected providers on a weekly basis over a 12 month period to address services provision and monitor return to go…
6 Feb 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time is (a) in the Highlands and Islands and (b) nationally for rheumatology patients to receive treatment by homecare medicines services.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The average time to onboard a patient to a homecare service varies by homecare provider. Within the Service Level Agreements with the homecare providers, a minimum of 5 business days is required between the provider receiving the registration documents and pr…
6 Feb 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the transfer of women to regional hospitals will be considered as part of the Best Start North review.
Answer · Maree Todd: Women already move across NHS Board boundaries across Scotland, including from the islands to specialist centres, where this best meets the needs of women and their babies. The Scottish Government understands that, should specific improvement work be identifi…
6 Feb 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will accelerate the Best Start North review, following a pause in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Best Start North review was commissioned jointly by NHS Grampian, NHS Highland, NHS Shetland, NHS Orkney and NHS Western Isles and is led by those NHS Boards. The Scottish Government understands that a group has now been set up with representation from th…
6 Feb 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates that the Best Start North review will be completed.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Best Start North review was commissioned jointly by NHS Grampian, NHS Highland, NHS Shetland, NHS Orkney and NHS Western Isles. NHS Tayside now also participates in this work. The Best Start North review was commissioned jointly by the original five parti…
2 Feb 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13023 by Jenny Gilruth on 9 January 2023, when it will fulfil its commitment to reduce train journey times between Inverness and Edinburgh to 2 hours 45 minutes, as referred to in the original question.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Transport Scotland, alongside industry partners, is exploring options for lengthening passing loops on the line to enable longer and more frequent freight and passenger services. Enabling the transfer of freight traffic, particularly from the adjacent A9 to …
25 Jan 2023 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will conduct an independent review into the maternity model in Caithness.
20 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce commercial sexual exploitation by tackling demand among men.
Answer · Elena Whitham: Commercial sexual exploitation is recognised as a form of gendered violence within Equally Safe: Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls. The law in Scotland prohibits many activities associated with prostitution, …
20 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to provide support to people seeking to exit commercial sexual exploitation.
Answer · Elena Whitham: Supporting the recovery and when ready, the sustainable exit, of those with experience of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) is a key aspect of the recently published principles which will underpin the developing Framework to challenge men’s demand for pros…
20 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the war in Ukraine on human trafficking inflows in Scotland.
Answer · Elena Whitham: The Scottish Government is working in partnership with local authorities, third sector organisations and UK colleagues to assess and mitigate any safeguarding concerns, including the risk of human trafficking relating to displaced people from Ukraine. This i…
20 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many prosecutions of alleged perpetrators of modern slavery there have been in each of the last 10 years.
Answer · Keith Brown: In terms of Criminal Proceedings statistics, there is no single crime of 'modern slavery'. However multiple types of crime involve, or can involve, 'slavery'. A list of these is provided below. Further information on slavery related activity is also available…
20 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of prosecutions of alleged perpetrators of modern slavery.
Answer · Ruth Charteris: The Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 provides a clear and cohesive set of criminal offences which are properly aligned with international standards and definitions of trafficking and exploitation which enables the Crown Office and Procur…
16 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many fatalities were recorded on the A9 between Perth and Inverness in each year from 2012 up to and including 2022.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The table below presents the total number of fatal casualties on the A9 between Perth (north of Inveralmond Roundabout) and Inverness (south of Longman Roundabout) Year Number of fatal casualties 2012 8 2013 6 2014 3 2015 5 2016 4 2017 4 2018 …
16 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many speeding tickets were issued to drivers on the A9 between Perth and Inverness in each year from 2012 up to and including 2022, broken down by whether they were related to (a) mobile safety cameras, (b) traffic police and (c) average speed cameras.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Information on detected speeding offences is an operational matter for Police Scotland.
9 Jan 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which estates within the Monadhliath Deer Management Group have received funding for peatland restoration in each of the last five years through the peatland restoration project funds administered by NatureScot (formerly Scottish Natural Heritage); how much each estate has received in ea…
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Organisation/Applicant Paid ? 2018-19 Paid ? 2019-20 Paid ? 2020-21 Paid ? 2021-22 Paid 2022-23 ? (to 6 Jan 23) Aberarder Estate 1,320.00 38,734.50 146,185.00 - 169,584.35 Alvie Estate 147,684.50 90,035.00 73,508.00 79,860.00 - Balavil Es…
22 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address any stigma people at risk of hepatitis C and other blood-borne viruses experience in public services and wider society.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government recognises the challenges and distress caused by the stigma experienced by those at risk of or living with Hepatitis C and other blood borne viruses. Evidence shows that Hepatitis C is most commonly diagnosed in those who inject drug…
22 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-08416 by Maree Todd on 17 May 2022, when it will publish the forthcoming Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government are currently working with a steering group comprised of key stakeholders from across the sector to develop an updated Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus (SHBBV) Framework. It is anticipated that the Framework will be published in Spr…
21 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what dental procedures (a) were available under the NHS in January 2017 and (b) are currently available under the NHS.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Statement of Dental Remuneration has been amended over the time period since January 2017 and now. The list of treatments in January 2017 is reflected in Amendment 133 and the current list is described in 158. These can be viewed at Statement of Dental R…
21 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Reform of NHS Dental Services Survey, when a public consultation will take place on any proposed changes to sevices.
Answer · Maree Todd: The reform of NHS dental services survey was responded to by over 500 dentists, the survey built on the Oral Health Improvement Plan which was developed through wide ranging public consultation in 2017. The reform of NHS dental services is presently focused o…
20 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Minister for Transport will deliver her conclusions on the review into the dualling of the A96.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The transparent, evidence-based review of the A96 corridor has included a public consultation which received an unprecedented level of engagement, with approximately 4,600 responses, generating more than 11,000 suggestions and potential opportunities for the …
20 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent communication it has had with Moray Council regarding the dualling of the A96.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Moray Council attended a series of A96 Corridor Review stakeholder sessions and provided feedback to the public consultation survey undertaken as part of the review during 2022. We will continue to engage with stakeholders including Moray Council as we progre…
20 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it still anticipates that the dualling of the A96 will be completed by 2030.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: In relation to the A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme, we continue to progress the preparation stages of the scheme with a view to completing the statutory process. This includes the significant work required to prepare for public…
20 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the dualling of the A96.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The current plan is to fully dual the A96 route between Inverness and Aberdeen; however, we are conducting a transparent, evidence-based review of the programme which is underway and the first part of the review, a report on the Public Consultation and the In…
19 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to increase community engagement for strengthening Gaelic in communities, in light of reports that the post of Gaelic Development Officer at Community Land Scotland has been discontinued.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government has provided additional funding of £200k in 2021-22 and 2022-23 to Bòrd na Gidhlig to support the network of Gaelic Development Officers across Scotland. These officers are supporting the Gaelic communities by providing a range of c om…
19 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the reasons for the post of Gaelic Development Officer at Community Land Scotland, which was established to extend the use of Gaelic within vernacular communities, reportedly being discontinued.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Community Land Scotland Gaelic Development Officer post was a pilot project that was run in partnership between Bòrd na Gidhlig and Community Land Scotland . This project is now being evaluated and the report is expected in February 2023. This evaluation repo…