Monica Lennon

20 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it will allocate to the HIV transmission elimination implementation group.  

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government is committed to reaching its target of eliminating HIV Transmissions in Scotland by 2030. On 1 December 2022 the Public Health Minister announced the establishment of the HIV Transmission Elimination Implementation Group for Scotland.…

20 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to piloting opt-out HIV testing in NHS emergency departments in areas of highest prevalence, as has been done in other parts of the UK.  

Answer · Maree Todd: We know that opt-out testing in emergency departments in areas of high prevalence in other parts of the UK has worked well. However, it is important to evaluate the learning from this to understand both how it might apply in a Scottish context. Specifically h…

20 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether it plans to fund a National HIV Testing Week for Scotland, as is in place in England and Wales.

Answer · Maree Todd: On 1 December 2022 the Public Health Minister announced the establishment of the HIV Transmission Elimination Implementation Group for Scotland. The groups primary focus will be on prioritising the recommendations within the HIV transmission elimination propo…

20 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what work is being done to tackle any health inequalities related to HIV, in particular among people who inject drugs. 

Answer · Maree Todd: Reducing health inequalities continues to be a top priority for the Scottish Government, and we recognise that particular efforts are needed for vulnerable populations, such as people who inject drugs. We know that stigma can stop people accessing the support…

20 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) individual or (b) public body the HIV transmission elimination implementation group will be answerable to.

Answer · Maree Todd: The HIV Transmission Elimination Implementation Group will be responsible for assessing and prioritising the recommendations contained within the HIV Transmission Elimination Proposal. The group is currently being formed and will be co-chaired by Professor N…

20 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of a reported trend of incidents of youth violence in Scotland being filmed and circulated across social media platforms, what action Police Scotland (a) can and (b) will take to ensure that such videos are immediately (i) removed from social media and (ii) investigated, and wh…

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring everyone lives free from violence, in communities that are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe. For Police Scotland to take any action, the uploading images of violence would be deemed criminal if they br…

14 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-14330 by Lorna Slater on 8 February 2023, when it anticipates that Zero Waste Scotland's urgent review of the environmental impacts and management of single-use vapes will report.

Answer · Lorna Slater: We expect Zero Waste Scotland to submit the review report in May, and we will then consider its findings.

14 Feb 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to trade unions and charities forming a "coalition of concern" to request that the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill is paused to allow further co-design and consultation.

14 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness, among people diagnosed with or at risk from cervical cancer, regarding the availability of the drug pembrolizumab on the NHS.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: In Scotland, the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) appraises the clinical and cost-effectiveness of newly-licensed medicines. Following a full submission from the submitting company, Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd, the SMC published “accepted for restricted use…

14 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it (a) can take and (b) is taking to encourage private firms in Scotland to divest from fossil fuels, either from direct investment in fossil fuel projects or indirect investment through share ownership in corporations that oversee fossil fuel projects, in light of reports th…

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government can encourage investment in areas aligned with our climate priorities but the decision on which sectors or projects to invest in is for each individual private company to make. However, in line with our commitments in the National Str…

10 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the compatibility of the forthcoming Deposit Return Scheme and the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government has been following the agreed process for excluding the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) regulations from the Internal Market Act and it has been the subject of discussion with UK Government for many months. Our original proposal back in 2…

10 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to research carried out by Survation on behalf of OurSeas Coalition, which reportedly found that 56% of people in Scotland would support banning bottom trawling and scallop dredging within three-nautical miles of Scotland’s shoreline.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: We know that some stakeholders would like to see a three-mile limit restricting mobile fishing gear introduced. The Scottish Government has been clear that we have no plans to do so. Such blanket spatial restrictions are not consistent with an evidence-based…

10 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken in the last 12 months to reduce the waiting (a) time and (b) list for people with respiratory conditions to access pulmonary rehabilitation.  

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Respiratory Advisory Committee (SRAC) has identified pulmonary rehabilitation as one of the initial priorities for the implementation of the Respiratory Care Action Plan. To take forward this key priority, a sub-group has been established compri…

10 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and (b) Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport last met each NHS board to discuss pulmonary rehabilitation services, and what issues were discussed.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-15072 on 16 March 2023. 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-committee…

10 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to increase capacity in pulmonary rehabilitation services.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-15073 on 16 March 2023. 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-committee…

10 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on which dates, since January 2020, the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and (b) Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport has met with each NHS board to discuss pulmonary rehabilitation services.

Answer · Maree Todd: Neither the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care nor the Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport have met with NHS Boards to discuss pulmonary rehabilitation services.

9 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) NHS boards and (b) National Services Scotland regarding action to reduce and eliminate the purchasing of single-use textiles, including workwear, bedding, patient wear and miscellaneous items.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government, Health Boards and National Services Scotland (NSS) maintain regular contact on reducing single-use items in healthcare settings through the Sustainable Procurement Steering Group, which supports Boards transition to more circular supp…

9 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take, regarding the issuing of an apology to the people affected by the practice of historic forced adoption in Scotland, in light of the recent apology issued by the Welsh Deputy Minister for Social Services.

Answer · Clare Haughey: We are currently considering next steps to recognise those affected by historical adoption practices. In the meantime, we have commissioned a scoping study of the support services available in Scotland for people affected by historical adoption practices. Th…

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the reported announcement of a review by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service into the process for warrants to energy companies regarding the forced installation of meters, in light of the recent guidance issued by Lord Justice Edis to courts in England and W…

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government welcomes the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service announcement of a review into the process for dealing with warrants. The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service exercises its functions independently of Government - it is entirely a ma…

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £500 million fund for bus infrastructure, announced by the First Minister in September 2019, has been allocated to the M8 westbound, and what plans it has to allocate any further funds to the M8 westbound relating to bus infrastructure.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: In 2019, the £500 million investment in bus included reallocation of roadspace on the Glasgow motorway network. The design development and business case work to support infrastructure to improve bus journey time reliability on the M8 through Glasgow and also …

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any plans to bring the Caledonian Sleeper service under public ownership, including whether it would operate under the control of Scottish Rail Holdings.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: It would not be appropriate to comment at this time until all the necessary steps have been taken to ensure our decision is the right one for the Caledonian Sleeper, its passengers and its staff. On 2 March 2023 I am scheduled to provide an update to Parlia…

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Rail Holdings has carried out any preliminary work in preparation for the Caledonia Sleeper service to potentially come under public ownership.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14939 on 1 March 2023. 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…

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it expects to appoint a full-time chief executive officer of Scottish Rail Holdings.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: David Lowrie was appointed last year as the interim CEO on a temporary basis. The recruitment process for a permanent Chief Executive Officer of Scottish Rail Holdings will commence in the coming period.

7 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government who the current acting chief executive officer of Scottish Rail Holdings is; how long it is intended that they will be in this position; how many days they are contracted to work in the post, and what their remuneration is for these duties.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: David Lowrie is currently in the Acting Chief Executive Officer post until 31 March 2024. He is currently contracted to work 3 days a week. Remuneration packages for the Chief Executive Officer post within Scottish Rail Holdings Ltd can be found on the thei…

7 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to change the structure of the board of Scottish Rail Holdings, including the number of non-executive directors.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: There are currently no plans to change the structure of the Board of Scottish Rail Holdings. There is a requirement to review the current Framework Agreement between Scottish Ministers and Scottish Rail Holdings after the first year, which review will commen…

7 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it uses to select board members of Scottish Rail Holdings.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: There is a job profile created for each individual role and this is used to assess the suitability of the candidates. Job profiles are designed to attract the best people for the roles - high quality candidates with specialist knowledge and qualifications, w…

7 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how long the current board members of Scottish Rail Holdings (a) have been and (b) are due to be contracted in those positions.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Details of the current membership of Scottish Rail Holdings Board is available on Companies House via the following link:- https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/SC548826 The Chief Executive Officer, Rail Business Director, Fina…

7 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how long the standard tenure is of each board member, including non-executive directors, of Scottish Rail Holdings.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The current non-executive directors of Scottish Rail Holdings (SRH) Board were appointed on an interim basis to 31 March 2023. The SRH Board non-executive appointments are non-regulated and there is no stipulation of specific appointment length detailed withi…

7 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Priority Action to 2030 in its draft Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045, to continue effective species recovery, reintroduction and reinforcement programmes, adequately reflects the goals and targets for species recovery in the outputs from the 15t…

Answer · Lorna Slater: The Priority Action in the draft Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, ‘Continue effective species recovery, reintroduction and reinforcement programmes’, is one of several actions that supports the recovery and protection of vulnerable species in Scotland, and wil…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13739 by Maree Todd on 24 January 2023, whether it will address the issue raised in the question regarding what action it will take to improve diagnosis times for lipoedema; and whether it will improve the availability of medical treatment, such as …

Answer · Maree Todd: We are aware of the serious negative impact this condition can have on people’s lives and therefore it is important that access to treatment and support is timely. We want to ensure that people have informed conversations with their GP in order to support the…