Donald Cameron

26 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what universal health checks are carried out on schoolchildren (a) when in the school premises and (b) at other facilities.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The 2005 universal core programme, Health for All Children (Hall4), sets out the minimum routine screening, surveillance and health promotion checks which all children and young people should receive on entry to primary school, in Primary 7 and in secondary s…

22 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it provided to the Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum Project 098 on the impact of the in-feed treatment, Slice.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government provided funding of £57,753 to the Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum Project 098.

22 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ban or phase out the use of the in-feed treatment, Slice, in salmon farms and, if so, when.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Any proposals to regulate the use of chemicals in the aquaculture sector are a matter for SEPA.

22 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it was involved in the apparent reversal of the decision made in February 2016 by SEPA to phase out the use of the in-feed treatment, Slice, and, if so, what its involvement was.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is in regular dialogue with SEPA on a range of issues. Ministers and officials however do not become involved in regulatory decisions, which are strictly a matter from SEPA.

22 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has had from Merck (a) directly or (b) via the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation on the continued licensing of the in-feed treatment, Slice, for use on salmon farms.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government has had no communication directly from Merck or via the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation on the continued licensing of the in-feed treatment, Slice, for use on salmon farms.

5 Jun 2017 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to reports that more than one-in-four GP practices have a vacancy.

2 Jun 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that integrated joint boards appropriately assess the levels of multimorbidity among people in their areas with (a) arthritis and (b) other similar musculoskeletal conditions.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Public Bodies (Joint Working)(Scotland) Act 2014 placed a duty on Integration Authorities to develop a 'strategic plan' for integrated functions and budgets under their control. In 2015, the year before integration went live, the Scottish Government publ…

23 May 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to expand the provision of thrombectomy to stroke patients.

Answer · Shona Robison: The initial meeting of an Expert Group on Thrombectomy for ischaemic stroke, formed under the auspices of the National Advisory Committee for Stroke to advise on the provision of thrombectomy in Scotland is scheduled for 7 June.

23 May 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in resolving the dispute between seafarers and management at Marine Scotland.

23 May 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-08948 by Humza Yousaf on 9 May 2017, how many of the (a) sea-going and (b) land-based employees of CalMac Ferries Limited reside on the islands served by CalMac.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: There are 262 sea-going staff and 165 land-based staff who reside on the islands serviced by CalMac.

16 May 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for implementing each of the recommendations of the Review of Access to New Medicines.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government has significantly improved access to new medicines in recent years due to our reforms and investment however we recognise there is more to do. Therefore, we are working at pace, in collaboration with stakeholders, including the Scottis…

9 May 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Church Census 2016, which estimates that the number of churchgoers will have more than halved between 2000 and 2025.

21 Apr 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) sea-going and (b) land-based staff on the Gourock - Dunoon ferry service are (i) directly and (ii) indirectly employed by Argyll Ferries, also broken down by what information it has regarding what percentage live in Cowal.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: There are 28 employees of Argyll Ferries Ltd who work on the Gourock - Dunoon ferry service. All are sea-going members of staff who are recruited on the basis of their skills and experience, not their place of residence.

21 Apr 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) sea-going and (b) land-based staff are (i) directly and (ii) indirectly employed by CalMac Ferries Limited to deliver Clyde and Hebrides ferry services, and what information it has on the percentage of these that reside on the islands served by CalMac.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: There are 1,050 sea-going staff who crew CalMac Ferries Ltd vessels, all employed through CalMac Crewing (Guernsey). There are 593 land-based employees involved in delivery of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract - 564 are employed directly by CalMa…

21 Apr 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many mortalities of salmon there have been due to the use of mechanical lice treatments on salmon farms in each year since 2007.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Information regarding fish farm mortality is collected as part of fish health inspections conducted by Marine Scotland’s fish health inspectorate. Case information is published here: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Fish-Shellfish/FHI/CaseInformation In 201…

21 Apr 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the chemicals that are used to treat for sea lice in salmon farms, and what quantities of these are used.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Information on chemicals, and quantities, used to control sea lice in salmon farms is published on Scotland’s Aquaculture website at: http://aquaculture.scotland.gov.uk/data/fish_farms_monthly_biomass_and_treatment_reports.aspx and Scotland’s Environment hub…

11 Apr 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle sea lice in the salmon farming sector.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government has invested significantly to support research and in developing innovative, long-term, sustainable options for the control and management of sea lice on Scottish fish farms. In 2014, £11 million funding (to be matched by industry) was…

5 Apr 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the NHS always offers people who test negatively for hepatitis B a vaccination against the condition.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: If a person is tested for Hepatitis B (Hep B) infection in the NHS, and the results come back negative, they may not necessarily be offered vaccination. However, there are a number of people who are deemed to be at particular risk from infection and may be o…

5 Apr 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a universal hexavalent infant vaccination against hepatitis B.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The JCVI has recommended a universal programme for all babies to receive protection against Hepatitis B (Hep B). The Scottish Government has accepted this recommendation and arrangements are being made to introduce a new cost effective hexavalent (six-in-one…

22 Mar 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers the Edinburgh Agreement to be a model for an independence referendum.

Answer · Michael Russell: The 2014 referendum was widely recognised as meeting the highest standards of fairness and transparency. This Parliament voted yesterday to mandate the Scottish Government to take forward discussions with the UK Government on the details of an order under se…

16 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness of Lynch syndrome.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: In June 2014 the Scottish Government published its rare disease implementation plan ‘It’s Not Rare to Have a Rare Disease’. The key aims of this plan include improvements to: Diagnosis – improving the accuracy and speed of diagnosis for patients. Data, Pati…

16 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to people with Lynch syndrome.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: We expect that anyone diagnosed with Lynch syndrome is informed of, and has access to the services appropriate to their clinical needs.

16 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on raising awareness of Lynch syndrome in each year since 2007.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: Through the Detect Cancer Early programme, we have made significant investments in the Scottish Bowel Cancer Screening Programme which was rolled out in June 2007. This programme invites all eligible men and women aged 50–74 to carry out a simple test at home…

9 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to undertake a national survey on the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government, in conjunction with the Scottish ACE Hub, is currently considering options for obtaining data on the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). In order to make the best use of public funds, the current focus is on reviewing …

9 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the impact to be of adverse childhood experiences on the life chances of people.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is aware of the strong evidence that early life experiences impact on people’s future health and wellbeing and life outcomes. The Scottish Public Health Network published a report in May 2016, ‘Polishing the Diamonds: Addressing Advers…

9 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it collects on the impact of adverse childhood experiences on people.

Answer · John Swinney: The Growing up in Scotland (GUS) survey collects some information about adverse experiences in childhood and about the health and wellbeing of children. GUS is a large-scale longitudinal research study tracking the lives of thousands of children and their fam…

9 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how (a) the public and (b) stakeholders will be able to input into the national review into targets and indicators for health and social care, and what consideration the review will make of the current targets for (i) child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and (ii) psycholog…

Answer · Maureen Watt: Sir Harry Burns has met with a range of stakeholder groups as part of the review to date and will continue to do so. A number of mental health clinicians have been in contact with Sir Harry with respect to the existing mental health targets and the impact the…

7 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to reduce the number of people with a brain tumour diagnosed through emergency admission to hospital.

Answer · Shona Robison: We want to ensure that primary care staff are able to play a full role in the early detection of all cancers. The Scottish Referral Guidelines for suspected cancer were last updated in 2014 and are readily available for GPs. Also, through our 'wee c' cancer a…

7 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider expanding the Scottish Cancer Patient Experience Survey to include the experience of low-grade brain tumour patients and people under 16.

Answer · Shona Robison: We recognise the importance of ensuing that patient experience is captured and used in a meaningful way to influence the care that NHSScotland provides children and young people with cancer. The content and format of the next Scottish Cancer Patient Experienc…

7 Mar 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of brain tumours of people who are aged 0-24.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Detect Cancer Early Programme aims to improve cancer survival rates in Scotland to amongst the best in Europe, by diagnosing and treating cancer at the earliest stages, and has recently engaged with The Brain Tumour Charity to discuss the inclusion of the…