Neil Findlay

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether mesh-injured women who settle legal cases out of court are required to sign non-disclosure agreements.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: NHS Central Legal Office is not aware of any of any case where a pursuer has been required to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Scotland-based mesh surgeons regarding the uses of techniques that are reportedly higher-risk, such as muscle-cutting approaches.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Chief Medical Officer has had high-level discussions with clinicians concerning technique. As indicated in answer to S5W-25675 on 8 November 2019, technique forms part of the discussions the Chief Medical Officer and clinicians are undertaking during thei…

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5F-03626 by Nicola Sturgeon on 10 October 2019 (Official Report, c.15), what its response is to reports that some mesh patients have been advised, and have had recorded on their notes, that they had a full mesh removal only to find out subsequently tha…

Answer · Jeane Freeman: As indicated in response to S5O-03674, it is important that we give further consideration to those reports. This is a serious issue and the proper process requires careful review of selected patient cases. We therefore need to establish which cases require re…

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5F-03625 by Nicola Sturgeon on 10 October 2019 (Official Report, c.12), whether it will fund mesh removal surgery in the US for women if they do not opt for tissue- and muscle-sparing removal or non-tissue and muscle-cutting removal.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Health Boards may seek out-of-area treatments for patients where considered necessary and appropriate. However, any such referral is a matter for the patient and the clinicians involved in the case. As indicated in answer to S5W-23623, answered on 6 June 201…

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what type of employment contract has been discussed for the commissioning of international mesh expertise.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The award of any contract is a matter for the Health Board concerned, once it has applied due diligence. The Health Board providing the contract determines how it would assure itself, depending on the nature of what is being proposed. An important considerati…

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding whether Scotland-based surgeons have provided the US mesh surgeon, Dr Veronikis, with portfolios of their mesh removal skills.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Scottish clinicians were not requested to provide evidence of skills prior to travelling to the US. However, comparison of techniques and review of available objective evidence of both benefit and harm, will form part of the discussions clinicians are underta…

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the (a) Chief Medical Officer and (b) the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport has discussed with counterparts from the rest of the UK the possibility of the US mesh surgeon, Dr Veronikis, coming to Scotland.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Scottish Government officials partake in regular discussions with colleagues in the UK Government and other devolved administrations on matters relating to transvaginal mesh. Whilst officials have not held detailed discussions with other UK countries about br…

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many women have registered with lawyers to seek compensation for injuries and disability caused by mesh implants.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: This is a matter for lawyers and the patients concerned. As such, the Scottish Government does not hold the information sought.

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what sanctions are available where clinicians are found to have provided misleading information to patients or have recorded this on patients' notes.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The General Medical Council (GMC) sets the professional standards to which all UK doctors must work as a condition of continuing registration; recording their work, establishing and maintaining partnerships with patients, and acting with honesty and integrity…

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether mesh patients will be offered a choice between tissue- and muscle-sparing removal, non-tissue and muscle-cutting removal or full and partial removal.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: All cases are treated individually depending on the circumstances of the patient in question. In each case the Scottish Government expects all appropriate and available treatments to be discussed with the patient, allowing the patient to give their informed c…

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5F-03625 by Nicola Sturgeon on 10 October 2019 (Official Report, c.12), what its response is to reports that the US mesh surgeon, Dr Veronikis, is no longer planning to come to Scotland.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The First Minister and Chief Medical Officer have spoken to Dr Veronikis and the Chief Medical Officer, accompanied by Scottish clinicians, is visiting him in the US this week. The visit gives clinicians the opportunity to directly observe Dr Veronikis and me…

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the five issues that have attracted the largest amount of legal actions against NHS Scotland since 1999.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Neither the Scottish Government nor NHS Central Legal Office holds the information sought.

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what statistical information the Scottish mesh clinician team will gather prior to its visit to the US in November 2019.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Any material taken to the US will be determined by the clinicians undertaking the visit.

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5F-03625 by Nicola Sturgeon on 10 October 2019 (Official Report, c.12), in light of the First Minister's comment that "clinicians will visit the United States in November...and remain willing to meet [the mesh surgeon] Dr Veronikis, if he agrees to rec…

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Any visit by Dr Veronikis will take place after discussions with the Chief Medical Officer who, as set out in response to S5W-25664 on 8 November 2019, is visiting him in the US this week. As previously advised in answer to S5O-03531 on 12 September 2019, Dr …

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) it and (b) NHS Scotland made an attempt to contact the US mesh surgeon, Dr Veronikis, when he was in the UK in September 2019, in light of the reports that he offered a meeting.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Scottish Government officials informally discussed with Dr Veronikis the possibility of meeting with him during his September visit. However, this was ultimately not considered practical.

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5F-03625 by Nicola Sturgeon on 10 October 2019 (Official Report, c.12), what its position is on holding a full public inquiry into mesh removal practice in Scotland.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Earlier this year I asked that a short-life working group be set up to examine the present course of care for women who experience mesh complications. The group agreed a remit to consider what additional steps could be taken to offer choice to women who want …

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) it and (b) NHS Scotland was represented at the International Continence Society Conference in Gothenburg and, if so, whether an attempt was made to contact the US mesh surgeon, Dr Veronikis, at that event.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: A specialist mesh complications clinician was present at the conference in question. Whilst that clinician intended to speak to Dr Veronikis, she was not able to as he departed before she had the opportunity.

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress had been made in obtaining budget approvals for mesh removal from women in Scotland by the US surgeon, Dr Veronikis.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The member is referred to the answer to S5W-25679 on 8 November 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…

7 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many times each (a) cabinet secretary and (b) minister has met a representative of Charlotte Street Partners in each year since 2016, and for what reason.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government proactively publishes details of all Ministerial meetings. This information can be found at the following link https://www.gov.scot/publications/?term=ministerial%20engagements&page=1 .

2 Oct 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many homeless people in each local authority area live in temporary accommodation that provides access to cooking facilities additional to a kettle.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government do not collect data on the type of cooking facilities available in temporary accommodation placements. Statistics on the number of homeless households in temporary accommodation, including the type of accommodation are published here:…

30 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people in each of the last 10 years have (a) been hospitalised and (b) died as a result of taking drugs at a music festival.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: National Records of Scotland (NRS) collect data on drug related deaths registered in Scotland, providing data on:Drugs (where reported) which were implicated in or potentially contributed to, the cause of death.Drugs (where reported) which were found to be pr…

30 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action has been taken to reduce the number of people being hospitalised or dying as a result of taking drugs at music festivals.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government fund CREW 2000's 'NPS and Training Coordinator' post to provide support and harm reduction at festivals and events across Scotland. CREW 2000 report reaching 1,700 young people at festivals and events to December 2017, offering 198 cr…

30 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether drugs testing is carried out at music festivals, and what information it has regarding how many times in each of the last 10 years illegal drugs have been found.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Drugs testing is not currently carried out at Music Festivals in Scotland for the purposes of law enforcement or harm prevention. The Drug Deaths Taskforce will consider a range of options for reducing the harms from substance use, including the introduction …

30 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many music festivals take place across the country each year.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government does not hold or compile information regarding the total number of music festivals taking place in Scotland each year. VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, EventScotland support a very small number of the music festivals each year thro…

23 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the last 10 bus journeys that the First Minister travelled on official business, broken down by the (a) date, (b) length and (c) cost of the journey.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The latest information about Ministerial travel can be found on the Scottish Government website at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/?term=Engagements&page=1 .

19 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans ScotRail has to improve parking at Bathgate railway station.

Answer · Michael Matheson: ScotRail has paused any future car parking development at Bathgate railway station to allow for the joint establishment of an industry wide strategic review of the car parks which serve Scotland’s railway. This will enable a more strategic overview to be ach…

18 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will end the contract with ScotRail due to poor performance and, if so, when.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The contract between Abellio ScotRail and Scottish Ministers contains contractual steps for managing performance. The Scottish Government has taken steps through the contract to issue ScotRail with Remedial Plans to ensure they remain focussed to return perfo…

18 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason ScotRail has reportedly withdrawn commitments to the community to expand car parking at Uphall railway station.

Answer · Michael Matheson: ScotRail has paused any future car parking development at Uphall railway station to allow for the joint establishment of an industry wide strategic review of the car parks which serve Scotland’s railway. This will enable a more strategic overview to be achie…

18 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recourse the public has to challenge ScotRail should people consider it has misled them regarding investment plans at railway stations.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The public can raise any issues it has with ScotRail directly with them via their complaints procedure where various types of enquiries, including investment plans at stations are logged, processed and managed. Details of this can be found by accessing the f…

18 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) plans and (b) funding ScotRail has to improve parking at railway stations.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Under the current Franchise Agreement, ScotRail is committed to fund and deliver 600 new car park spaces across the rail network in Scotland by 31 st March 2020. Subject to obtaining third party funding, ScotRail is also committed to facilitating a further 40…