Parliamentary questions
Miles Briggs
4,209 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
29 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-23058 and S5W-23292 by Clare Haughey on 16 and 29 May 2019 respectively, in light of the assertion in the initial response that "very few people who access mental health care and treatment are ever treated against their will", what its response is…
Answer · Clare Haughey: Our mental health legislation is based on rights and principles and offers protection for patients where compulsory treatment is necessary. Any increase in compulsory treatments may represent the effects of more people coming forward for treatment and increas…
28 May 2019 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it works with local authorities to encourage the greater use of stone and slate from Scotland in buildings and streetscapes.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Scottish Government provides a framework of policy guidance on planning and architecture that supports local authorities in promoting development that responds appropriately to its context. This reinforces the identity and character of Scotland’s communities…
28 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the remit will be of the chair of the committee that is to review mental health legislation.
Answer · Clare Haughey: Scottish Ministers recently announced the appointment of John Scott QC as Chair of the review. We have been clear that it is for the Chair to determine how the review work will be taken forward. However, this will include appointing a review group whose remi…
28 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will amend Scottish Health and Social Care Standards so that these do not condone the use of chemical restraint.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-22466 on 23 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28…
22 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-16303 by John Swinney on 9 May 2018, whether it will provide the same information for 2018.
Answer · John Swinney: a) Number of pupils with additional support needs (ASN) by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) deciles, 2014-2018. SIMD Decile 1 Year 2014 3 2015 3 2016 3 2017 2018 1 = Most deprivation 22,612 23,462 26,132 27,197 30,868 2 16,871 18,…
22 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many and (b) what percentage of pupils with a co-ordinated support plan there have been in each of the last five years, broken down by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) decile.
Answer · John Swinney: a) Number of pupils with a Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP) by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) decile, 2014-2018. SIMD Decile 1 Year 2014 3 2015 3 2016 3 2017 2018 1 = Most deprivation 358 308 237 220 204 2 290 242 230 204 185 …
21 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-20295 by Jeane Freeman on 21 December 2018, how many missed NHS appointments there were in 2018-19.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government does not currently hold information on the number of missed appointments during 2018-19. This information will be published later this year and will be available at: https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Hospital-Care/Publications…
21 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-19424 by Jeane Freeman on 1 November 2018, whether it will provide an update regarding how many people are waiting for (a) urgent and (b) non-urgent operations or procedures at the Edinburgh Western General Hospital urology hub, also broken down by …
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The following table provides information on patients waiting for urgent and non-urgent procedures at Edinburgh Western General Urology Hub. NHS Lothian is working to ensure the number of patients waiting for Urology appointments is reduced and already have a…
21 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-18945 by Jeane Freeman on 2 October 2018, what progress NHS Lothian is making in reducing urology waiting times, and in light of her comments, whether these times remain below the level that the cabinet secretary expects.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23319 on 6 June 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28…
20 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the purpose is of the review of the clinical decision support system; whether it will publish the review's criteria; what questions are being asked in the review, and which clinicians are in the review team.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: A review is currently being scoped to provide due diligence over the consideration of the business case for a National Decision Support Platform. I will be happy to update the member on the outcome of the review once it is concluded.
20 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will measure the clinical impact of the decision to delay the proposed new clinical decision support system.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: No decision has yet been taken about the future business case for a National Decision Support Platform. A review is being scoped to consider all the implications involved with proceeding including alignment with the National Digital Platform, key projects tha…
20 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of it being an open standards solution, for what reason it is halting work on implementing the proposed new clinical decision support system.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: I refer the member to the answer to S5W-23295 on 30 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx …
20 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether delaying the proposed new clinical decision support system will lead to radiology breaking away from the national project and, if so, what the impact of this will be.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The national clinical decision support (CDS) discovery project has considered how a national proposal to CDS Platform might benefit clinical decision across NHS services. Radiology has been part of that project. SG officials have recently met with representat…
20 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-23058 by Clare Haughey on 16 May 2019, whether the assertion that "very few people who access mental health care and treatment are ever treated against their will" is supported by data collected by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland.
Answer · Clare Haughey: Around 1 in 4 people are likely to be affected by mental illness at some point in their lives. Most people who use mental health services receive treatment do so without being subject to an order or certificate under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Sc…
16 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the patient access criteria will be for fertility preservation and storage for medical reasons, and how these criteria will ensure equity of access.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: A sub-group of the National Infertility Group has been working on developing guidelines and pathways, including patient access criteria, for fertility preservation and storage for medical reasons. This work is ongoing and the group expects to report to the Na…
13 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to questions S5W-22908 and S5W-22909 by Joe FitzPatrick on 8 May 2019, whether it plans to carry out a similar review of the screening programme in Scotland to assess whether any improvements can be made.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government commissioned a Review of Screening in 2017 to examine the management and overall delivery of the six national screening programmes in Scotland to improve resilience, effectiveness and efficiency, and to ensure that screening services a…
13 May 2019 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the Scottish Heart Failure Nurse Forum's warning of a “potential crisis in care delivery".
9 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-22530 by Jeane Freeman on 24 April 2019, by what date it will publish the findings of the research into the new clinical decision support system.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23060 on 15 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28…
9 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-09444 by Shona Robison on 9 June 2017, whether it will provide the information for each year since 2016-17.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The following table highlights data from Higher Education Statistics Agency HESA records, from the Scottish Funding Council, showing Scotland-domiciled people who have entered pre-registration nursing and midwifery training since 2016-17. Academic Year Entr…
9 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what research it (a) has conducted and (b) plans to conduct into excessive sugar consumption and its suppression of the enzyme, glutamine synthetase.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government funds research through the Chief Scientist's office. Researchers can apply to the Chief Scientist Office for funding. The CSO's Translational Clinical Studies Committee and the Health Improvement, Protection and Services Research Comm…
9 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what research it plans to undertake into the reasons for the rise in the number of autistic people.
Answer · Clare Haughey: The Scottish Government is committed to improving the lives of autistic people, their families and carers through the Scottish Strategy for Autism . There are no current plans to undertake further research into the number of autistic people in Scotland. The …
9 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether there is a link between excessive sugar consumption and the increase in the number of autistic people.
Answer · Clare Haughey: There is no body of scientific evidence to support the hypothesis that there is a link between excessive sugar consumption and the increase in the number of autistic people.
8 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the chair of the committee that will review mental health and incapacity legislation will give due consideration to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.
Answer · Clare Haughey: While it will be for the Chair to determine how the review is best taken forward, we have been clear that the principal aim of the review of the Mental Health Act is to improve the rights and protections of people with a mental disorder and remove barriers to…
8 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the short-life working group that will support the review of mental health and incapacity legislation should have at least one person with (a) lived experience who is opposed to the non-consensual treatment of adults, including mental health patients and a…
Answer · Clare Haughey: The review will be stakeholder-driven and evidence-led and it is crucial that people, particularly those with lived experience, have an opportunity to make their views known. This Government is determined to ensure that the views of patients, those with live…
8 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether, in the context of mental health, the definition of "people with lived experience" should include informal carers who support relatives who receive non-consensual treatment.
Answer · Clare Haughey: I refer the member to the answer to recent question S5W-23053 on 16 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusin…
8 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Parliament will be asked to approve its choice of the chair of the review of mental health and incapacity legislation.
Answer · Clare Haughey: I refer to member to the answer to question S5W-23287 on 20 May 2019 and announced the appointment of John Scott QC as Chair of this independent review. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facil…
8 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position on whether the review into mental health and incapacity legislation should take account of the methodology and the findings of earlier research into the views of service users with experience of receiving non-consensual treatment.
Answer · Clare Haughey: The vast majority of people who access mental health care and treatment do so on a voluntarily basis. Very few people are ever treated against their will; when they are, it is because it is necessary to protect them or to protect other people. While it will …
8 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that judgments of the European Court of Human Rights clarify how the European Convention on Human Rights should be interpreted.
Answer · Christina McKelvie: The Scottish Government defends existing human rights safeguards and is taking action to secure the progressive implementation of all human rights. We strongly support the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as a fundamental instrument to protect and p…
2 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many affordable homes were built in 2018-19, broken down by local authority.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The following table shows the number of affordable homes delivered in 2018-19 between 1 April 2018 and 31 December 2018. Figures for the final quarter, 1 January 2019 to 31 March 2019, will be published in June 2019 and may differ slightly from the figures pr…
2 May 2019 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Four Seasons Health Care has entered administration, and what contingency planning it carried out to prepare for such an outcome.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government is aware that the announcement made by Four Seasons Healthcare Group may be unsettling for residents, families and employees at Four Seasons homes. We understand the announcement is part of a continuing process in the company’s financi…