Parliamentary questions
Miles Briggs
4,209 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
11 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for the digitisation of patient records, and what projects in this field have been completed, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Angela Constance: The digitisation of records is managed operationally by individual Health Boards and GP practices, information on implementation of digitisation projects within each Health Board is not held centrally.For information on our plans at a national level, the refr…
11 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS apprenticeships have been delivered in each NHS board area in each of the last 10 years.
Answer · Angela Constance: Data held by the Scottish Government on the number of NHS apprenticeships has been provided in the following tables. While this Management Information provides an indication of apprenticeship activity within NHS Scotland, the figures across years should be tr…
11 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the Allied Health Professions workforce review.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government published the Allied Health Professions (AHP) Education and Workforce Policy Review on 23 February 2023. A link to the report can be found below.Allied Health Professions - education and workforce policy review: recommendationsAn advis…
4 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the recently announced cabinet secretary and ministerial titles no longer include explicit reference to social care.
Answer · Angela Constance: Social care reform and the implementation of the Care Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 are a central focus for this Government. In our first 100 days, we are prioritising action to improve key areas within social care. This includes support for unpaid carers, work …
4 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage private investment in geothermal energy infrastructure.
Answer · Stephen Gethins: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00791 on 12 June 2026. 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-committees/…
4 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will confirm that progressing towards a strong, sustainable and well-resourced social care sector will be one of its priorities.
Answer · Angela Constance: We are investing over £2.3 billion in social care and integration in 2026-27. This investment includes an uplift to adult social care pay as well as providing support to deliver improvements to wider terms and conditions for workers, such as maternity a…
4 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to extending permitted development rights for small-scale geothermal and heat networks.
Answer · Hannah Mary Goodlad: The Scottish Government last year consulted on potential new permitted development rights for the installation (and subsequent repair and maintenance) of underground pipework and associated apparatus for the purposes of connecting individual buildings to a he…
2 Jun 2026 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what further assessment it has made of any impact on the environment following the granting of planning consent for the Berwick Bank offshore windfarm, in light of the significant updates and changes to guidance and regulations since consent was granted.
28 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what level of investment is required to meet the ambition of establishing a lung cancer screening programme by 2027.
Answer · Maree Todd: The initial cost model to establish a full lung screening programme prepared by the Scottish Expert Advisory Group (SEAG) estimated £36.7 million in implementation costs, followed by recurring costs of between £28.6 million and £39.7 million…
28 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what incidental findings of other lung diseases will be reported from the lung cancer screening programme.
Answer · Maree Todd: Potential incidental findings from lung screening include, but are not limited to, conditions such as tuberculosis, emphysema and bronchiectasis. NHS Scotland has yet to formally agree an incidental findings policy for their planned targeted lung cancer scree…
28 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans Ministers have to publish the risk registry of care facilities at risk of failure.
Answer · Alison Thewliss: The Scottish Government does not currently hold a risk register of care facilities at risk of failure. The statutory responsibility for providing appropriate social care capacity lies with local authorities, integrated joint boards, and integrated health and …
28 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many attacks on NHS staff have been reported each month in each of the last 10 years, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Angela Constance: Figures on violence and aggression towards NHSScotland staff are not collected nationally. This is a matter for NHSScotland boards. All crimes, and instances of violent behaviour, should be reported to Police Scotland.The Scottish Government does not hold inf…
28 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what review will be undertaken to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy in NHS and social care systems, particularly in relation to the requirement for individual social work assessments.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring that our health and social care system operates as efficiently and effectively as possible. Our National Flow Plan, which we will publish within the first 100 days of government, will aim to ensure…
28 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-39203 by Jenni Minto on 4 August 2025 and the commitment in Scottish National Party manifesto 2026, what progress has been made to roll out a lung cancer screening programme by 2027.
Answer · Maree Todd: Work continues towards the implementation of the first phase of a national targeted lung screening programme. It is anticipated that the initial roll out will focus first on inviting eligible individuals in areas experiencing the highest levels of socio-econo…
28 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been referred to other parts of the UK for NHS treatment in each of the last 10 years.
Answer · Angela Constance: This information is not held centrally and we are unable to answer this question.
26 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the current status is of the Forth Valley National Treatment Centre.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government is aware of the current position regarding the National Treatment Centre at Forth Valley.Falkirk Council, in its role as the local building standards authority, must complete its independent assessment and approval processes – th…
26 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when revised Golden Hello incentives for rural GPs and dentists will be implemented.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government commissioned the Scottish School of Primary Care to undertake an independent evaluation of the Golden Hello initiative for GPs. The evaluation was published in March 2026: https://www.sspc.ac.uk/media/Media_1254907_smxx.pdf.The Golden …
26 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when every school pupil will have guaranteed access to school counselling.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: School counselling services are available to all pupils aged 10 and over, including primary and special school pupils, funded by our investment of £16 million per annum to local authorities.The Scottish Government engaged with professional counselling b…
26 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when funding from the expanded displaced workers scheme will be operational.
Answer · Alison Thewliss: The Government has committed to expanding the Displaced Workers Scheme.This will be operational to eligible employers within the first 100 days of this administration, with further details to follow in due course.
26 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when psychological therapies will be integrated into the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub.
Answer · Maree Todd: The expansion of the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub to provide a national pathway to brief psychological interventions for those would benefit from early treatment but would not meet the criteria to access local specialist secondary care mental health services laun…
26 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the complex care investment programme will deliver the 400 beds it is projected to free up in Scotland’s hospitals.
Answer · Alison Thewliss: The Scottish Government and COSLA published the Coming Home Action Plan in March 2026. The action plan is backed by Scottish Government funding of up to £20m to support implementation. The majority of this funding will be distributed via the Independent…
26 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the expansion of rapid cancer diagnostic services will commence and be complete.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government has commissioned Healthcare Improvement Scotland to undertake an independent scalability assessment of our Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service Pilots. This project will explore what our options are to expand access to non-specific symptom …
26 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what definition of public health it is using in relation to its statutory food price cap policy, which was proposed in the 2026 Scottish National Party manifesto.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government will engage constructively with relevant stakeholders to ensure considered and thoughtful discussion on this policy. Further detail will be developed in consultation with these stakeholders to deliver effective implementation and achie…
26 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when a final list of food products subject to the proposed price cap in the 2026 Scottish National Party manifesto will be published.
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00539. on 8 June 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found athttps://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-commit…
26 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it has relied on in determining that food price caps, as proposed in the 2026 Scottish National Party manifesto, would improve public health outcomes.
Answer · Tom Arthur: It remains an unwelcome reality that communities across Scotland experience health, quality of life and even life expectancy differently depending on their circumstances.Poverty is linked to health inequalities. The evidence is clear that our health is closel…
26 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the annual cost to supermarkets of complying with the food price cap proposed in the 2026 Scottish National Party manifesto.
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00537. on 8 June 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found athttps://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-commit…
26 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when alcohol care teams will begin operating in hospitals.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government is working at pace to pilot the delivery of alcohol care teams in Scotland.We have already identified a potential location for the pilot and will look to announce this as soon as a formal agreement is reached.
26 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the NHS Job Guarantee scheme will begin for graduates in medicine, dentistry, nursing and other NHS professions.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government values the contribution of the NHS Scotland workforce and is committed to supporting those who choose to pursue a career in healthcare. Scottish Ministers have overseen 14 consecutive years of growth in the NHS Scotland workforce, inve…
26 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the new complex care investment programme will begin distributing support.
Answer · Alison Thewliss: The Scottish Government and COSLA published the Coming Home Action Plan in March 2026. The action plan is backed by Scottish Government funding of up to £20m to support implementation. The majority of this funding will be distributed via the Independent…
26 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the EpiPen pilot scheme for eateries will commence.
Answer · Alison Thewliss: Adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs), such as an EpiPen®, are prescription-only medicines which are prescribed by an authorised healthcare professional and dispensed at a registered pharmacy. A current exception to this is that schools are allowed to purchase…