Anne McTaggart

5 Feb 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-17739 by Michael Matheson on 4 November 2013, what plans it has to improve rheumatology awareness training for (a) GPs and (b) primary health care professionals.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Answer S4W-17739 outlined how GPs learn and update their development requirements to meet the needs of their patients. This is a continuous process. Allied Health Professionals also have a professional obligation to participate in Continuous Professional Deve…

5 Feb 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to implement a shared protocol for MRI scanning for back pain.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government welcomes any initiative that is demonstrated to improve patient care and encourages NHS boards to share best practice where appropriate. NHS boards are encouraged to take into account clinical guidance, research findings and quality s…

24 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will support the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2014.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government supports a number of organisations which have a particular role in promoting activity around race equality, engaging with communities on issues of interest and in hosting specific events within those communities. This includes activity…

22 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Scottish Prison Service has had with the n-ergy group regarding the reported proposal for a telesales call centre to be established at HMP Grampian and what salary inmates staffing the centre would receive.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Colin McConnell, chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: “In the summer of 2013, SPS commissioned an advertising campaign inviting proposals from external organisations (private, public or third se…

15 Jan 2014 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what examples of restorative justice courts have applied.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Scottish courts have a range of sentencing options open to them when dealing with offenders, including some which include restorative elements. For example, a court can require an offender to pay compensation to their victim. Recent changes made in the Victim…

15 Jan 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve the rehabilitation of young offenders in their communities after short custodial sentences.

6 Jan 2014 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what additional measures it has put in place to support teachers in light of recent concerns expressed by EIS members regarding the introduction of National 4 and 5 exams.

11 Dec 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-18537 by Keith Brown on 3 December 2013, whether it will provide the information that was requested and confirm whether (a) 16-25, (b) senior, (c) disabled and (d) family discounted railcards bought in Scotland would remain valid across the UK rail …

Answer · Keith Brown: Railcards are national products offered by all train operating companies within Great Britain including ScotRail. The terms and conditions of these Railcards are set by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), of which ScotRail is a member, and wi…

11 Dec 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what additional support it will provide to help older people this winter.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government has been working closely with NHS boards and taken important steps to improve emergency care since last winter. A three year £50 million unscheduled care action plan aims to improve the way that emergency care operates across Scotland…

22 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) 16-25, (b) senior, (c) disabled and (d) family discounted railcards bought in Scotland would remain valid across the UK rail network if Scotland became independent.

Answer · Keith Brown: Government, local authorities and transport operators will continue to work in partnership to deliver services of economic and social importance, including concessions and discounted fares. This Government has shown its commitment to affordable rail services …

22 Nov 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-17946 by Shona Robison on 20 November 2013, for what reason information on the (a) staff who made the report, (b) country of origin of the patient and the (c) NHS board is not held centrally.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government does not gather information on referrals made to the police by midwives or other health professionals for female genital mutilation (FGM) as this is a matter for Police Scotland and NHS Boards. I will ask Police Scotland and NHSScotlan…

20 Nov 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to people who have experienced miscarriage.

23 Oct 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of female genital mutilation have been reported by (a) midwives and (b) other health professionals, broken down by (i) country of origin of patient and (ii) NHS board.

Answer · Shona Robison: There have been three reports of female genital mutilation made to the police by NHS staff since 2005. The Scottish Government does not have any information on: which NHS staff made the report, the country of origin of the patient, nor NHS board. However …

23 Oct 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government to which courses its proposal to increase funding for postgraduate study will apply.

Answer · Michael Russell: From 2015-16, Scottish domiciled students on eligible taught postgraduate courses will be able to apply for a maintenance support loan of up to £4500. The list of eligible courses can be found on the SAAS website: http://www.saas.gov.uk/_forms/pg_course_list…

23 Oct 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding it provides to organisations that support victims of domestic abuse, broken down by (a) organisation and (b) amount.

Answer · Shona Robison: Details of funding available to organisations which support victims of domestic abuse, has been placed in the public domain on the Scottish Government’s Violence Against Women web pages and is available here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/Equality…

23 Oct 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what additional resources it will make available to Glasgow Airport to support its investment programme and whether these will provided in advance of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Answer · Keith Brown: As a commercial operator, Glasgow Airport’s investment programme is for the airport owners to take forward. We recognise the key part that Glasgow Airport will play in ensuring that the Commonwealth Games are a success and more generally, the Airport’s vital …

10 Sep 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that people who care for stroke patients are given a carer’s assessment.

2 Sep 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is meeting its targets to reduce air pollution.

26 Aug 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the debt interest payments of an independent Scotland.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government believes any apportionment of the UK national debt and associated interest payments should take into consideration, the historic balance of expenditures and revenues in Scotland relative to the UK as a whole. Recent analysis in the Sc…

15 Aug 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding the feasibility of the construction of a road bridge linking Scotland with Northern Ireland.

Answer · Keith Brown: We have no plans to consider the feasibility of the construction of a road bridge linking Scotland with Northern Ireland. However, we recognise the importance of providing good passenger and freight links between Scotland and Northern Ireland via the Loch Ry…

18 Jul 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to reconsider the level of funding awarded to Glasgow City Council in light of the research finding that child poverty costs it £395 million every year.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: Funding to local authorities is allocated to individual local authorities using a needs-based formula which includes recognition of areas of deprivation and poverty. In agreement with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, three year local government s…

24 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to standardise the eligibility criteria for kinship carers allowance across all local authority areas.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: Under the Looked After Children (Scotland) Regulations 2009 kinship care allowances are payable to kinship carers of looked after children. The Scottish Government is undertaking a review of the financial support available to kinship carers which should be co…

24 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Student Awards Agency For Scotland. 

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government announced an additional investment of £2m in the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) in May 2013. SAAS opened for applications for the 2013-14 academic session in April 2013 and improvements include: Increased opening hours and…

12 Jun 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed Procurement Reform Bill will seek to ensure that public sector contracts should only be awarded to companies that pay the living wage.

10 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on calls for the institution that will be established following the merger of Stow College, John Wheatley College and North Glasgow College to recognise Mary Barbour in its name.

Answer · Michael Russell: While college names are a matter for merging colleges to determine. It would be sensible for them to consider their local community, local history, and figures of local significance when considering their choices. The suggestion of Mary Barbour fits well in t…

3 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce compulsory foreign language classes in both primary and secondary education as part of the implementation of the curriculum for excellence.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: Scotland does not operate an education system which is based around compulsory subjects or lessons. The Scottish Government sees modern languages as key to achieving the overall purpose of creating a more successful Scotland with opportunities for all to flo…

3 Jun 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to promote healthy eating from a young age.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has a comprehensive range of initiatives aimed at promoting healthy eating from the very early years into adulthood. Improving Maternal and Infant Nutrition: A Framework for Action published in 2011 has a number of specific actions aro…

23 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what provision has been made to ensure that a member of staff trained in first-aid is present on all ScotRail services.

Answer · Keith Brown: ScotRail provides basic first aid training to all staff when they join the company. First aid kits are held on trains and stations across the rail network, and a protocol is in place to summon assistance when requested or appropriate via communication with th…

23 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce domestic violence awareness education to all secondary schools.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: Domestic abuse is a top priority for the Scottish Government, and we are committed to reducing and eventually eradicating this unacceptable behaviour. There is never an excuse for domestic abuse, and responsibility for change lies with the perpetrator, not th…

23 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports of high levels of metallic particle pollution in the Glasgow Subway.

Answer · Keith Brown: Strathclyde Partnership for Transport is responsible for operating and maintaining the Glasgow Subway and is, therefore, responsible for monitoring air quality in the subway and ensuring it complies with legal requirements. Workplace exposure limits for metal…