Parliamentary questions
Monica Lennon
3,484 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
12 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has held with the Scottish Council of Independent Schools in the last 12 months and what was discussed.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government engages with the Scottish Council of Independent Schools regularly, to discuss a range of issues relating to the provision of education in Scotland.
12 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-08267 by Maureen Watt on 7 April 2017, which trades unions the minister has subsequently met; when these meetings were held, and what issues were discussed.
Answer · Maureen Watt: I have met representatives from various trades unions, both officially and unofficially by meeting and speaking at ‘Scrap the Cap’ demonstration, outside Annual Reviews at NHS Fife, Lothian and Lanarkshire, together with meeting them more formally at the Area…
28 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the (a) short- and (b) medium-term goals of its Strategy for Autism.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Strategy for Autism is a ten-year strategy. In 2014 the Scottish Government published a progress report on the strategy’s first two years – the foundation stage – which can be accessed here http://www.autismstrategyscotland.org.uk/strategy/key-do…
28 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what reporting mechanisms it has in place for measuring the outcomes and effectiveness of its Strategy for Autism.
Answer · Shona Robison: Whilst the Scottish Strategy for Autism is a 10 year strategy, the progress is regularly monitored. In October 2014 the Scottish Government published a progress report which can be accessed here:http://www.autismstrategyscotland.org.uk/strategy/key-documents.…
28 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the £13.4 million initially allocated to the Strategy for Autism has been spent, and what proportion of that funding remains to be allocated.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government remains committed to improving the lives of autistic people, their families and carers through the Scottish Strategy for Autism. The initial £13.4million allocated to the strategy has been spent and used to help embed the strategy acro…
27 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the third supplementary to question S5F-01510 by Nicola Sturgeon on 14 September 2017 (Official Report, c.15), how it plans to take forward the Sue Ryder recommendation regarding the provision of specialist support to generalist care providers.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11606 on 18 October 2017. 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…
27 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the third supplementary to question S5F-01510 by Nicola Sturgeon on 14 September 2017 (Official Report, c.15), what the process and timescale will be for the development of strategic commissioning guidance on neurological services for health and social care part…
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Scottish Government has published statutory guidance in relation to Strategic Commissioning which applies across integrated services rather than for individual conditions or diagnoses. The integration legislation requires extensive involvement of appropriate …
27 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the third supplementary to question S5F-01510 by Nicola Sturgeon on 14 September 2017 (Official Report, c.15), how the audit of health and social care services for people with neurological conditions will be conducted; what the timescale for it is, and when it w…
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions proposes to survey NHS Boards, IJBs and third sector organisations on the type of services they provide, the workforce that provides it, planned service changes, and suggestions for service improveme…
27 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the third supplementary to question S5F-01510 by Nicola Sturgeon on 14 September 2017 (Official Report, c.15), when it will produce its first set of data regarding people with neurological conditions.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Scottish Government has commissioned NHS Information Services Division Scotland (ISD), to produce a new set of neurological data by spring 2018.
27 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the third supplementary to question S5F-01510 by Nicola Sturgeon on 14 September 2017 (Official Report, c.15), what its position is on working with people with neurological conditions to help develop a national strategy to assist the NHS, local authorities and h…
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Scottish Government considers that working with people with neurological conditions is essential, to ensure that the National Action Plan reflects people's priorities, needs and aspirations. To this end, we are funding the Health and Social Care Alliance, to…
27 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the third supplementary to question S5F-01510 by Nicola Sturgeon on 14 September 2017 (Official Report, c.15), what progress is being made with developing the national action plan on neurological conditions; who it is consulting, and when it will be published.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Work on the National Action Plan for Neurological Conditions has commenced. Discussions have been held with organisations and members of the National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions, including The Neurological Alliance of Scotland which represe…
27 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the third supplementary to question S5F-01510 by Nicola Sturgeon on 14 September 2017 (Official Report, c.15), what the timescale is for the development of new standards on neurological services, and whether these standards will include social care.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Healthcare Improvement Scotland short-life working group that reviewed the Neurological Health Service Standards recommended that future standards should cover multi-agency working (health, social, third sector and community groups), transition between ac…
17 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, following the announcement in its Programme for Government, what discussions it (a) has had and (b) plans to have with (i) schools, (ii) colleges and (iii) universities regarding the provision of free sanitary products.
Answer · Angela Constance: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11342 on 5 October 2017. 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/…
17 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, following the announcement in its Programme for Government, whether it will set out a timetable for its plans for the provision of free sanitary products in (a) schools, (b) colleges and (c) universities.
Answer · Angela Constance: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11342 on 5 October 2017. 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/…
17 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, following the announcement in its Programme for Government, whether it plans to provide additional funding to (a) schools, (b) colleges and (c) universities for the provision of free sanitary products, and what it estimates the cost will be of providing free sanitary products in each.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government has committed to providing access to free sanitary products to students in schools, colleges and universities. The funding that will be provided will depend on the delivery options selected, as will timescales. We have committed to wor…
6 Sep 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Minister for Transport and the Islands last met representatives of Stagecoach and FirstGroup, and what was discussed.
4 Sep 2017 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the reported significant increase in the number of deaths related to drug and alcohol misuse in the last year.
26 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the malware incident that reportedly affected NHS Lanarkshire on 25 August 2017, whether it has provided the board with additional funding in 2017 to tackle cyber-attacks and improve resilience against future incidents.
Answer · Shona Robison: The malware incident that affected NHS Lanarkshire on 25 August 2017 has been identified as a new variant of Bitpaymer ransomware. This malware incident is considered a zero day attack in that the new variant was released on the same day the actual attack tak…
26 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the malware incident that reportedly affected NHS Lanarkshire on 25 August 2017 was the result of a new or known threat.
Answer · Shona Robison: The malware incident that affected NHS Lanarkshire on 25 August 2017 has been identified as a new variant of Bitpaymer ransomware. This malware incident is considered a zero day attack in that the new variant was released on the same day the actual attack tak…
26 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how much has been spent researching lipoedema in Scotland since 2006-07.
Answer · Shona Robison: Researchers can apply to the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) for funding. Records show that CSO has not received any applications for funding research in Lipoedema. The CSO's Translational Clinical Studies Committee and the Health Improvement, Protection and Se…
26 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many times it has discussed lipoedema with NHS officials since 2006-07; when it last met NHS officials to discuss lipoedema, and what issues were discussed.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government has not met with NHS officials to specifically discuss Lipoedema however a Lymphoedema Short Life Working group was set up which aimed to improve patient care in Scotland. The group included representatives from the NHS and Talk Lipoed…
26 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what treatment options are available to people with lipoedema.
Answer · Shona Robison: The treatment options available are aimed at facilitation and enhancement of the patient’s ability to self-manage, optimisation of health and prevention of progression and management of symptoms. The options include advice on healthy eating, weight management…
26 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many operations for the treatment of lipoedema have been carried out in each year since 2006-07, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Shona Robison: As there is no ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision) code suitable to identify the diagnosis of lipoedema in the data supplied by NHS Boards, specific treatments cannot be linked to this diagnosis. However, lipoedema is frequently …
26 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on how satisfactory the provision of treatment for lipoedema is in each NHS board.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government recognises that lipoedema can be a distressing and painful condition. As with all long term conditions we want people living with lipoedema to be able to access the best possible care and support. Lipoedema services are mainly provide…
26 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been diagnosed with lipoedema in each year since 2006-07, broken down by NHS board area.
Answer · Shona Robison: The information requested is not held centrally by ISD as there is no ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision) code suitable to identify the diagnosis of lipoedema in the data supplied by NHS Boards.
26 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to increase understanding and awareness of lipoedema.
Answer · Shona Robison: Healthcare professionals and the public are a supported by the provision of information produced by different organisations e.g. the Royal College of General Practitioners’ (RCGP) e-learning course in partnership with Lipoedema UK (also endorsed by Royal Coll…
26 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much grant funding was awarded to lipoedema charities under the Section 16b annual funding scheme, and which charities received a grant.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of the third sector in providing valuable support to those with lipoedema. There have been no applications to date received from lipoedema charities under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978, Secti…
23 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the link between homework and attainment.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government's view is that homework, when provided at the appropriate level and in an appropriate way, can help to reinforce and support learning, and can help to involve parents with their child’s progress. A school's approach to homework should…
23 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is undertaking any work to assess the affordability of school uniform policies, including bespoke items from specified suppliers, braiding, year group ties and school tartans, and what its position is on any link between school uniforms and attainment.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of supporting low income families and ensuring that all children get the best start in life to achieve their full potential in school and beyond. That is why the Government has announced plans to introduce a …
23 Aug 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that all children and young people have access to a school-based counselling service.
Answer · John Swinney: Education authorities and all those working in our schools have a responsibility to support and develop the mental wellbeing of pupils, with decisions on how to provide that support being taken on the basis of local circumstances and needs. Some schools may …