Alexander Burnett

7 Aug 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support is offered to drug partnerships in the NHS Grampian area to improve addiction treatment and aftercare.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government National Support Team take forward key projects to deliver national strategic priorities. It is also available to support capacity building and sharing of learning and good practice amongst Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) in order…

6 Aug 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on providing additional funding for addiction services in the NHS Grampian area.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government is investing an additional £20 million per year, for the lifetime of this Parliament, to help reduce the harms caused by alcohol and drugs. We will be writing to stakeholders in the coming weeks with details of how this investment will…

26 Jul 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-17582 by Jeane Freeman on 23 July 2018, which specialist treatment centres there are in Scotland that cover all necessary services for patients with Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), including dermatology, ophthalmology, audiology, neurology and clinical …

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is an extremely rare disease affecting around 100 people across the UK. The treatment and supervision for this condition is highly specialised and is best delivered through specialist hospital services which can provide expert advic…

26 Jul 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-17582 by Jeane Freeman on 23 July 2018, whether it can confirm that sunscreen is available on prescription for patients with Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP).

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Sunscreen is available on prescription to patients who have specific medical conditions. This includes people with photosensitivity due to genetic conditions and cancer patients who have skin photosensitivity as a result of radiotherapy.  

26 Jul 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-17582 by Jeane Freeman on 23 July 2018,  in light of protective clothing not  being available on prescription for people with the rare skin disorder Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), whether it will answer the question that was asked and set out the proce…

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare, hereditary skin disorder affecting 1 in 250,000 people. Specialist UV protective clothing is not available on prescription for people with rare genetic skin disorders such as XP. Only drugs and devices included on the Sco…

25 Jul 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to prevent fly tipping of materials that contain asbestos, and how much it has cost since May 2016 to remove materials that have been fly tipped.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government continues to work with Scottish local authorities through Zero Waste Scotland, to tackle all forms of fly tipping including asbestos and other hazardous materials. Information about the cost of removing materials that have been fly tip…

23 Jul 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a national inclusion policy for (a) vulnerable and (b) disabled students when planning class trips.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is clear that school trips should be inclusive and this is supported by guidance. The Education Scotland guidance on outdoor learning https://education.gov.scot/Documents/cfe-through-outdoor-learning.pdf includes a section on inclusi…

23 Jul 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the suggestion in the Microsegmentation Project, which it funded through Scottish Autism, what its position is on the microsegmentation of the autism spectrum, and what the recognised qualifications are for each microsegment.

Answer · Clare Haughey: The Microsegmentation of the Autism Spectrum Report was commissioned as a recommendation of the Scottish Strategy for Autism. The Scottish Government is committed to implementing the findings and recommendations of this report, published on 22 March 2018, in …

20 Jul 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-17390 by Paul Wheelhouse on 18 July 2018, what percentage of expenditure on improving the energy efficiency of Scotland’s buildings it expects to be spent on (a) rural and (b) urban buildings.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Energy Efficient Scotland is a long-term programme and as such, its development is on-going. Our Energy Efficient Scotland Transition Programme launched on 2 May for consultation with stakeholders, and builds on our existing programmes and earlier pilots and …

20 Jul 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-17390 by Paul Wheelhouse on 18 July 2018, what financial assessments it has made to calculate the estimate of £10 to £12 billion, and whether it will provide a breakdown of these costs by (a) (i) public expenditure and (ii) private sources and (b) e…

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Our estimates of the costs of improving Scotland’s domestic and non-domestic buildings were set out in the Energy Efficient Scotland Consultation. We estimate that the cost of meeting the programme for domestic properties is in the region of £8 billion, to br…

20 Jul 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-17390 by Paul Wheelhouse on 18 July 2018, how it defines the term "near zero" for its application of carbon emissions from buildings as set out in the Energy Efficient Scotland: Route Map, and what measurements are used to define "near zero".

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: A near zero carbon building is a building that has a good standard of energy efficiency, which in the Energy Efficient Scotland Route Map we define as at least EPC C where technically feasible and cost effective, and where practicable also uses low carbon tec…

20 Jul 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to reach its targets for the treatment of stroke patients; what measures are being taken to give quality care to patients post-stroke, and what its response is to concerns that stroke survivors in Scotland may have received better care had they lived in England.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government does not set targets for the treatment of stroke patients. The Scottish Stroke Care Standards, in the Scottish Stroke Care Audit (SSCA), are used to assess the performance of stroke services, at a Scotland wide, NHS Board or individual…

6 Jul 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the use of body cameras in high-security hospitals such as Carstairs in Lanark to provide reliable evidence to support statements regarding incidents that involve vulnerable patients.

Answer · Clare Haughey: In Scotland, the only high-security hospital is The State Hospital in Carstairs, South Lanarkshire. The security arrangements in that hospital are the responsibility of the hospital itself and are decided upon in the context of ensuring staff and patient safe…

3 Jul 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the process is for requesting non-drug related items, such as protective clothing, to be available on prescription for people with rare genetic skin disorders, such as Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP).

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Specialist UV protective clothing is not available on prescription for people with rare genetic skin disorders such as Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP). XP is an extremely rare disease which affects roughly 100 people across the UK. Only drugs and devices included …

20 Jun 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the managers of (a) day-care centres and (b) after school-clubs with a higher-level degree for lead practitioners to remain in post.

Answer · Maree Todd: It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that managers and lead practitioners of day care of children centres delivering funded early learning and childcare provision, and out of school care centres either hold a Childhood Practice award at SCQF lev…

20 Jun 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what schemes are in place to help industrial buildings achieve the net zero emissions requirements by 2050 set out in the Energy Efficient Scotland: Route Map, and how much funding is available through each scheme.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: On 2 May the First Minister launched Energy Efficient Scotland, the stated goal of which is to achieve near zero carbon wherever feasible by 2050, and in a way that is socially and economically sustainable. The associated Route Map sets out our vision for all…

20 Jun 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what financial assessment has been made of the cost of converting all buildings in Scotland to net zero emissions by 2050 as set out in the Energy Efficient Scotland: Route Map.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Route Map for Energy Efficient Scotland contains a set of actions aimed at making Scotland’s existing buildings near zero carbon wherever feasible by 2050, thus necessitating Energy Efficient Scotland as a 20 year programme. Its vision is that by 2040 all…

20 Jun 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the managers of (a) day-care centres and (b) after-school clubs to study for a degree-level qualification for lead practitioners without leaving their post.

Answer · Maree Todd: Childhood practice awards are based on the benchmark Standard for Childhood Practice (revised 2015) and are one of the first work-based awards in Scotland where entry is based on practice qualifications and the experience people have gained in their role. A…

7 Jun 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of poaching of protected pearl mussels in Loch Assynt, and what plans it has to prevent such poaching taking place.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Within the last two months there have been two reports of illegal pearl fishing incidents in the Assynt area. Both incidents were reported to Police Scotland and investigations are continuing. This is an important area for the conservation of freshwater pearl…

5 Jun 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what efforts it is making to encourage schools to inform students of their apprenticeship choices.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Within all Local Authority secondary schools in Scotland, Skills Development Scotland has devised an improved and expanded approach to Career Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG), ensuring that skills intelligence is shaped to inform young people of the op…

23 May 2018 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to ambulance services.

16 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action can be taken against the manufacturer of a drug that the NHS wholly or mainly relies on for a particular treatment if it decides to stop producing or supplying that drug.

Answer · Shona Robison: Regulation for the supply of medicines is currently reserved to the UK Government. In general terms, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in England and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry have issued joint good practice guidelin…

10 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-15984 by Shona Robison on 26 April 2018, what interventions for staff working with adults with ME are being considered and when these will be implemented.

Answer · Shona Robison: As stated in the answer to question S5W-15984, postgraduate Medical training curricula are written by Medical Royal Colleges, approved by the General Medical Council. The training is delivered by territorial NHS Boards in clinical placement settings, also app…

10 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-16127 by Aileen Campbell on 4 May 2018, whether it can confirm if SIGN plans to adopt the NICE guidelines regarding Lyme disease and, if so, by what date.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: In a situation where there is no SIGN guideline on a specific topic, healthcare professionals would be expected to look for other high-quality evidence based guidance on which to base their practice. SIGN have indicated that the above NICE guidelines fit this…

4 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-16126 by Aileen Campbell on 1 May 2018, whether it will provide further details, other than the information on the websites highlighted, of the leaflets that are being printed and active campaign that is being run for (a) medical practitioners and (…

Answer · Aileen Campbell: Raising awareness of Lyme disease is an ongoing priority for the Lyme Borreliosis Group which is part of the Scottish Health Protection Network. In addition to producing educational materials for the public and medical practitioners, the group has run a numbe…

3 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to support employers that employ people, including apprentices, with autism.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government is committed to reduce by more than half, the disability employment gap. A number of specific actions, including those commitments undertaken since the launch of A Fairer Scotland for Disabled people in 2016 have been taken to support…

1 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many hectares and (b) what percentage of (i) privately- and (ii) publicly-owned land has been registered on the land register in each year since April 2014.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: This is a question for the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland. She advises me that that the total number of additional hectares registered in each year since April 2014 is as follows:   2014-15: 58,456   2015-16: 120,115   2016-17: 94,491   2017-18: …

1 May 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that all NHS boards provide out-of-hours dental care.

1 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many customers will see (a) an increase and (b) a decrease in their water charges as a result of the proposed changes that use rateable values assigned to non-household premises as part of the 2017 rates revaluation.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The consultation issued on 30 June 2016 set out the expected impacts on customers. This is available at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/06/7297 .

26 Apr 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to publish the findings of its research on improving the Energy Performance Certificate methodology to ensure that it works for all homes and, if so, when it will do so.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government will publish the findings from the research commissioned to review the domestic and non-domestic Energy Performance Certificates this summer.