Parliamentary questions
Miles Briggs
4,209 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
20 Sep 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to reports that cladding work at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow has led to some seriously-ill children being advised not to use the children's entrance; what discussions it has had with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde regarding this, and by …
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have been in regular contact to discuss NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's plans to ensure easy access into their buildings. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the Royal Hospital for Children's project team a…
17 Sep 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-30384 by Alasdair Allan on 21 March 2016, how many applicants there have been for postgraduate educational psychlogist positions in (a) 2017 and (b) 2018.
Answer · John Swinney: Data provided by the University of Strathclyde for the 2017 intake, and the University of Dundee for the 2018 intake, shows that the number of applicants to their postgraduate educational psychology courses were 71 and 62 respectively.
17 Sep 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to update its procurement policy to reduce the levels of imported stone in any public buildings.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Scottish procurement legislation, which implements EU public procurement Directives, requires that any technical specifications in relation to public contracts assures equal access of suppliers to the contract and must not narrow competition. In most cases, t…
17 Sep 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with local authorities to promote the use of locally sourced stone in buildings and in streetscapes.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Scotland’s built environment has a rich legacy of the innovative use of stone and we are keen to capitalise on and promote the use of our national assets wherever possible. The then-Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy met with the three founders of t…
17 Sep 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that, where possible, public bodies use local natural stone in buildings.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: As the lead public body for our historic environment Historic Environment Scotland (HES) promotes the use of traditional building materials (which can be locally sourced) in relation to the care and maintenance of historic building stock, where appropriate, i…
17 Sep 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote the use of local natural stone in its buildings.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government estate comprises 73 buildings of which 18 are Crown owned. Of these 18 there are 2 that make use of local natural stone, these are Saint Andrew's House and Governor's House - both of which are Grade A listed properties in Edinburgh. Th…
7 Sep 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the level of statin use is, and what information it has regarding how this compares with the rest of the UK.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: In Scotland, the Dispenser Payments and Prescription Cost Analysis report provides (on an annual basis), information on the volume of drugs prescribed in the community. The report is published on the National Services Scotland Information Services Division we…
7 Sep 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines there are regarding when statins should be prescribed, and how these compare with the guidelines issued in the rest of the UK.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The relevant guidelines for statin prescribing in Scotland are SIGN 149 which is available here: https://www.sign.ac.uk/assets/sign149.pdf In England, the equivalent guidelines are published by NICE which are available here: https://www.nice.org.uk/gui…
3 Sep 2018 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a timetable of the action that it plans to address overcapacity issues on the A720 Edinburgh city bypass.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government’s commitment through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal includes up to £120 million for the grade separation of the A720 Sheriffhall Roundabout which will bring improved economic benefits and inclusion across Edinbu…
3 Sep 2018 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking in response to Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland's call for an increase in the use of the thrombectomy procedure.
28 Aug 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government in light of reported concerns about the impact on health of traces of glyphosate being found in food products.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Food Standards Scotland (FSS) leads on matters relating specifically to food safety in Scotland. FSS liaises closely with Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the rest of the UK on food safety matters, particularly those regulated at EU level. The Health and Safet…
28 Aug 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage a reduction in the use of pesticides containing glyphosphate by the agricultural sector, and what progress has been made in achieving a reduction.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government promotes the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which aims to help landowners reduce their reliance on the use of pesticides, including those containing glyphosate, and help them to make the best possible and most sustainable use…
28 Aug 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported concerns about the impact on health of traces of glyphosate being found in food products.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: I am advised on food safety matters by Food Standards Scotland. FSS considers that current levels of pesticide residues in food, including glyphosate levels do not provide concern for food safety based on current information.
27 Aug 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any progress being made in reducing waiting times for orthopaedic appointments and treatment in NHS Lothian.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: I recognise the waiting times for orthopaedics in NHS Lothian are very much below the level I require, with patients experiencing exceptionally long waits to be seen and treated. NHS Lothian has received £3.7 million as part of the £25 million initially issue…
24 Aug 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the planning group that has been established to improve access to mechanical thrombectomy will report its findings.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: A Directors of Planning Thrombectomy Advisory Group (TAG) are progressing development of a national planning framework for the provision of thrombectomy for stroke in Scotland. It is anticipated the framework will be completed by spring 2019. The framework w…
21 Aug 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether frontline non-NHS staff in the health and social care sectors, including those employed by charitable and third sector care organisations, should also be offered season flu vaccinations, and how this could impact on flu incidence and associated absences fr…
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The health and safety of frontline non-NHS staff in the health and social care sectors falls under the governance and care of employers and their occupational health systems. Vaccination against flu should be considered an integral component of standard infe…
21 Aug 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the first Carer's Allowance Supplement payments will be made.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The first Carer’s Allowance Supplement payments will be made in the week beginning 10 September.
20 Aug 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-17584 by Jeanne Freeman on 20 July 2018, what its position is on introducing lactate or other tests to help to reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: Decisions regarding the care and treatment of individual patients are always a matter of professional judgement for the clinician responsible for a patient’s care. Lactate tests are used when clinically appropriate and interpreted in the context of a patient’…
31 Jul 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-17676 by Jeane Freeman on 23 July 2018, what extra funding it will provide to dentists to undertake an Oral Health Risk Assessment for adult NHS patients.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: We will ensure that the appropriate level of funding is available as we take forward the implementation of the Oral Health Improvement Plan. We have an excellent record in NHS dentistry and have invested significantly in dentistry in the last decade and will…
30 Jul 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of which overseas patients are eligible for free primary care checks and care under the new GP contract.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: Under the general medical services contract all overseas visitors are eligible to register as patients of a general practice and receive free treatment. It is a long-standing principle that everybody in Scotland is entitled to register with a general medical…
30 Jul 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of how GPs should check the eligibility of overseas visitors to free NHS care, and whether they are able to charge a fee for overseas visitors not entitled to free NHS care under the new GP contract.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: All overseas visitors are eligible to register as temporary or permanent patients of a general practice and receive free treatment. As such, GPs do not need to check the eligibility of overseas visitors to free NHS care and, as under the previous contract, ar…
30 Jul 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what extra funding provision the new GP contract makes to assist GPs whose workloads may increase as a result of seeing an increasing number of overseas visitors.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The general medical services contract provides resources to practices on the basis of their expected workload. As under the previous general medical services contract, Scottish Government will annually increase the level of resources to be allocated in line w…
30 Jul 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of international best practice in the use of Doppler ultrasound scans.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) considers any emerging research and evidence worldwide in providing advice and guidance.
30 Jul 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the use of growth scans and Doppler ultrasound scans could reduce the stillbirth rate.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guideline on antenatal care for routine pregnancies advises that routine Doppler ultrasound should not be used in low-risk pregnancies. A recent Cochrane review (2015) found that there is no conclusive evi…
30 Jul 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether pregnant women expecting one baby should be offered regular growth scans, as is the case for those expecting multiple babies.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: All women are offered two ultrasound scans during pregnancy as part of the screening programme. The first is offered between 11-13 weeks and the second, a foetal anatomy detailed scan is offered around 20 weeks. Any additional ultrasound scans offered will be…
30 Jul 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether all pregnant women should be offered Doppler ultrasound scans.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guideline on antenatal care for routine pregnancies advises that routine Doppler ultrasound should not be used in low-risk pregnancies. A recent Cochrane review (2015) found that there is no conclusive evi…
20 Jul 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure changing place toilets are available at hospitals in Lothian.
Answer · Clare Haughey: The Scottish Government is committed to increasing the number and locations of Changing Places toilets (CPTs) in Scotland. The provision of CPTs in hospitals is important as they provide an accessible network across Scotland for people with complex needs atte…
18 Jul 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people aged 65 and over have received the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination, and what the uptake has been in relation to all those eligible to receive it, in each of the years that it has been available.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The estimated uptake rate of the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination in people aged 65 and over is set out in the following table. Data is only available from 2010-11 onwards: Year Percentage uptake estimate 2015-16 67.9% 2014-15 75.7% 2012-13 …
17 Jul 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set out its policy guidelines on the recording of waiting times for patients whose operations are rescheduled.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government's policy is clear the waiting time for a patient's operation is measured from the time the patient and consultant agree treatment and stops when the patient's operation is undertaken. Therefore impact of rescheduling an operation will …
16 Jul 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to increase awareness of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) among GPs and what support it will provide for their training in this regard.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: Healthcare Improvement Scotland have published the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer, Quick Reference Guide which is distributed to GPs across Scotland. This document includes guidelines for referring Haematological cancers. We plan to publish…