Rachael Hamilton

22 Jan 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with Borders College.

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32156 by Jenni Minto on 23 December 2024, what specific actions it is taking to meet the target of reducing waiting times for an endometriosis diagnosis to under 12 months by the end of the current parliamentary session, and whether it will provide …

Answer · Jenni Minto: Through the actions set out in our Women’s Health Plan we have taken steps to support both women and health professionals to learn more about endometriosis, the symptoms and treatment options, so that waiting times for diagnosis can improve.Endometriosi…

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32170 by Jenni Minto on 23 December 2024, what percentage of NHS healthcare professionals have used the Menstrual Health Symptom Questionnaire in patient consultations; what training is provided to healthcare professionals on using this tool, and wh…

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government does not hold data on the number of NHS health professionals using the NHS Education for Scotland Menstrual Health Symptom Questionnaire in patient consultations.As part of the implementation of the Women’s Health Plan, an NHS Ed…

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32172 by Jenni Minto on 23 December 2024, what specific data points are being collected to track long-term outcomes; how often any such data will be reviewed, and for what reason it has not reintroduced routine screening for endometriosis, in light …

Answer · Jenni Minto: As stated in question S6W-32172 more information on women’s health data can be found in the recently published data landscape review. It sets out a range of publicly available data on the health of women in Scotland and highlights where there are gaps w…

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32169 by Jenni Minto on 23 December 2024, how it plans to ensure that there is continued investment in endometriosis research beyond the specific research calls listed.

Answer · Jenni Minto: We are committed to ensuring those living with endometriosis are able to access the best possible care and support and that they benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put people at the centre of their care. Endometriosis will continue …

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32157 by Jenni Minto on 23 December 2024, what specific metrics or indicators are being used to track the success of initiatives within the Women’s Health Plan for endometriosis care.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Information about the progress to date against each of the priorities in the Women’s Health Plan can be found in the Women’s Health Plan Final Report.As we move into the next phase of the Women’s Health Plan, we will consider how best to mon…

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32165 by Jenni Minto on 23 December 2024, what specific support mechanisms are being implemented for women who experience prolonged delays in diagnosis beyond the general advice on NHS Inform.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Through the actions set out in our Women’s Health Plan we have taken steps to support both women and health professionals to learn more about endometriosis, the symptoms and treatment options to support earlier identification and minimise time to diagno…

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32158 by Jenni Minto on 23 December 2024, how it plans to evaluate the long-term impact of the menstrual health resource on increasing awareness and early diagnosis of endometriosis, and whether there is a plan for follow-up surveys or studies to as…

Answer · Jenni Minto: NHS 24 use qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate, review and optimise NHS inform content. This includes, for example:analysis of user activity on their websiteuser feedbackuser researchuser testingpartner and community engagement feedback111 call tren…

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32168 by Jenni Minto on 23 December 2024, in light of funding not being ring-fenced, how it is ensuring that NHS boards prioritise endometriosis care within their overall budgets.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is providing investment of over £19.5 billion for health and social care in 2024-25 and supporting delivery of the specific actions relating to women’s health as we continue to drive forward the implementation of the Plan.T…

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32159 by Jenni Minto on 23 December 2024, whether it has considered tracking and reporting how many women in each NHS board are using the menstrual health resource.

Answer · Jenni Minto: This information is not collected. Collation of this information would require the gathering of personal data.It is vitally important that all information on NHS Inform, including any linked websites, is open and accessible. All of the linked websites on NHS …

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32174 by Jenni Minto on 23 December 2024, for what reason data on the percentage of women accessing multidisciplinary care is not routinely collected; whether this will change; if so, when; what timeline has been set to ensure that all NHS boards ha…

Answer · Jenni Minto: We are continuing work to improve the data we have on women’s health so that we can better understand the health of women and girls in Scotland – including endometriosis.Information on women’s health data in Scotland can be found in the rece…

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32175 by Jenni Minto on 23 December 2024, what proactive steps are being taken to ensure that women with endometriosis receive timely fertility advice, rather than waiting until conception difficulties arise; what percentage of women currently diagn…

Answer · Jenni Minto: Data regarding post-diagnosis referral to fertility services is not held by the Scottish Government.As set out in the Endometriosis Care Pathway for NHS Scotland, clinicians should consider women’s individual needs in order to determine treatment, for e…

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32162 by Jenni Minto on 23 December 2024, what steps it is taking to improve the early identification of endometriosis symptoms by primary care providers, in order to reduce any reliance on A&E visits.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Endometriosis Care Pathway for NHS Scotland supports healthcare professionals to provide a holistic approach and timely care for those with endometriosis and endometriosis-like symptoms.The pathway is clear and advises healthcare professionals to suspect …

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32178 by Tom Arthur on 19 December 2024, what percentage of employers in Scotland have adopted the Menopause and Menstrual Health Workplace Policy, and what specific action it is taking to ensure that self-employed women with endometriosis are not e…

Answer · Tom Arthur: The Menopause and Menstrual Health Workplace Policy, launched on 31 October 2023, is for NHS Scotland. There are 22 NHS Scotland Boards, who have all adopted this policy (each being separate employers). There are 124,032.8 whole time equivalent (WTE) female s…

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S6W-32184 and S6W-32185 by Jenni Minto on 23 December 2024, how many young people engaged with the campaign; what measurable outcomes were achieved, and what steps have been taken to ensure that menstrual health, including endometriosis, is integrated…

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: A campaign report evaluating the campaign on Endometriosis for young people in Scotland was provided by Young Scot in April 2023 which measured young people’s engagement with the campaign.High engagement was achieved across the campaign webpages through…

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32176 by Jenni Minto on 23 December 2024, what percentage of women with endometriosis have reported improved pain management outcomes since the introduction of the Women’s Health Plan, and what actions are being taken to address any disparitie…

Answer · Jenni Minto: Data on pain management outcomes for women with endometriosis is not held by Scottish Government.Endometriosis is one of the key priorities in the Women’s Health Plan and will continue to be so. We are committed to ensuring those living with endometrios…

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32166 by Jenni Minto on 23 December 2024, how it plans to enhance the role of primary care providers in the early identification and management of endometriosis, and whether there are any plans to provide GPs and other primary care professionals wit…

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Endometriosis Care Pathway for NHS Scotland supports healthcare professionals, including those in primary care, to provide a holistic approach and timely care for those with endometriosis and endometriosis-like symptoms. The pathway advises healthcare pro…

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32155 by Jenni Minto on 23 December 2024, what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of existing third sector helplines in meeting the needs of women with endometriosis; whether it has considered any potential benefits of a national helpline…

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government does not asses the effectiveness of third sector initiatives which it does not fund.Through the NHS Inform Women’s Health Platform, we have made a range of information on endometriosis freely available to women online.This includ…

16 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the expansion of guidance on breast screening protocols by risk category in 2023, and as set out in the Scottish Cancer Network's Breast Cancer Clinical Management Pathway, what support has been provided to NHS boards to provide screening to women aged 25 to 30 who are identi…

Answer · Neil Gray: The Familial Breast Cancer pathway which is hosted by the Scottish Cancer Network’s Clinical Management Pathway website is a consensus document which is not a rigid constraint on clinical practice, but a concept of good practice against which the needs …

16 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is monitoring NHS boards' adherence to the Scottish Cancer Network's Breast Cancer Clinical Management Pathway guidance on breast screening protocols by risk category, following the update to the guidance in 2023.

Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government does not specifically monitor the individual use of the familial breast cancer consensus document’s ‘framework for undertaking germline genetic testing and risk assessment for breast cancer’ which is hosted on the Sco…

14 Jan 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report, Economic Impacts of Short-term Lets in Scotland, specifically in relation to the Scottish Borders.

18 Dec 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to those who wish to protect and preserve the Bernat Klein Studio in Selkirk.  

11 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is collaborating with (a) Parent Club, (b) the ALLIANCE, (c) Young Scot and (d) other third sector organisations to raise awareness of endometriosis through campaigns and educational initiatives.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Through the NHS Inform Women’s Health Platform, we have made information on a range of health topics, including endometriosis, available to women online and in one place. Reciprocal connections have been made throughout the platform with other Scottish …

11 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that women with endometriosis are supported in the workplace, including protection from discrimination, implementation of reasonable adjustments and incorporation of menstrual health into workplace wellbeing initiatives.

Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-32178 on 19 December 2024. 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-committ…

11 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to educate and raise awareness of endometriosis among young women.

Answer · Jenni Minto: In March 2023 we delivered an engagement campaign in partnership with Young Scot to increase young people’s awareness of endometriosis. The campaign is aimed at those aged 11 to 25 in Scotland. The campaign includes information about endometriosis sympt…

11 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what specific resources it provides to school (a) nurses and (b) counsellors to support students with suspected or diagnosed endometriosis.

Answer · Jenni Minto: NHS Education for Scotland (NES) has launched an e-learning module on menstrual health available on Turas Learnand in particular is aimed at those working in primary care. The school nursing workforce and school counsellors can also access this training as re…

11 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what initiatives are in place to provide targeted educational campaigns about endometriosis for boys and young men, in order to promote understanding and reduce stigma.

Answer · Jenni Minto: We recognise the importance of ensuring that everyone understands what a normal period is. We have developed a range of resources that anyone can access to learn more about periods, period symptoms and conditions like endometriosis, PCOS and PMS. More informa…

11 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with (a) trade unions and (b) COSLA to ensure that employees with endometriosis are fully supported in the workplace.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Women's Health Plan Implementation Programme Board was established to oversee and drive the delivery of the Plan. The Board brought together a range of organisations, including COSLA and Trade Union representation, to ensure that the actions within the Pl…

11 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to work with youth organisations to deliver peer-led workshops on menstrual health and endometriosis awareness in (a) schools and (b) communities.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) has continued to support the Women’s Health Plan through their dedicated lived experience programme. This has included the development of the conversation café toolkit, available for any…

11 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what specific measures are being taken to train teachers in recognising any impact of endometriosis on students’ (a) attendance and (b) academic performance.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I recognise that endometriosis is a painful and long-term condition, which may result in young people being absent from school for a prolonged period. As acknowledged in our national guidance on attendance, ‘Included, Engaged and Involved Part 1,’…