Alex Cole-Hamilton

3 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which public sector organisations have notified it that they have found or suspect reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete to be in their buildings.

Answer · Shona Robison: The following organisations have contacted The Scottish Government on the presence or suspected presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete within their building estate:NHS ScotlandPolice ScotlandScottish Fire and Rescue ServiceEast Lothian CouncilWest…

3 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it expects (a) local authorities, (b) NHS boards and (c) other public sector bodies to (i) have identified reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in buildings, (ii) publish risk management plans and (iii) remove it entirely.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Owners are responsible for building maintenance and safety and should meet all relevant health and safety requirements related to those working in or using their buildings.

3 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met with NHS boards to discuss the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in buildings and action to (a) manage and (b) remove it.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is working closely with NHS Scotland Assure and all NHS Boards to establish the current position with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). Once the survey programme has assessed properties that may contain RAAC and it's exten…

3 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met with local authorities to discuss the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in buildings and action to (a) manage and (b) remove it.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: It is the statutory duty of local authorities to manage and maintain their own buildings. Scottish Government officials continue to engage with local authorities affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

3 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it will make available to NHS boards that find reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete present in (a) hospital buildings and (b) other NHS board buildings, in order to (i) manage and (ii) remove it.

Answer · Michael Matheson: NHS Scotland Assure are conducting a survey programme which will confirm how many buildings in the NHS Estate contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. Once the extent of the programme is determined, the condition will be assessed, thereafter it will b…

3 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it will make available to local authorities that find reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete present in (a) school buildings and (b) other local authority-owned buildings, in order to (i) manage and (ii) remove it.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Building safety is a matter for the owner acting in accordance with the relevant health and safety legislation. Before any decisions can be taken on funding, it is important to understand the scope and nature of the issue.

30 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce a Down's Syndrome Bill, similar to the Down Syndrome Act 2022 that was passed by the UK Parliament and extends to England and Wales.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government has committed to consulting on a Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill by the end of this year. The Bill will aim to ensure that the rights of people with Down’s Syndrome, among others, are respected and protected. An i…

30 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the planned introduction of annual health checks for all people in Scotland with a learning difficulty will be tailored to each need, and whether it will specifically take account of the particular health needs of people with Down's syndrome.

Answer · Maree Todd: Scottish Ministers issued National Directions on annual health checks, which state that the Scottish Health Check for Adults with Learning Disabilities documentation must be used in every health check. This documentation was tested and evidenced throughout th…

26 Jun 2023 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.

22 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to legislation controlling the use of flammable cladding following the Grenfell tragedy, in what ways does the legislation in Scotland differ from that which applies to the rest of the UK.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Building Regulations in the UK are the responsibility of the UK Government in England, the Welsh Assembly in Wales, the Northern Ireland Executive in Northern Ireland and the Scottish Government in Scotland. Whilst all regulations are similar throughout the U…

15 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what provision is made by NHS Scotland and NHS boards to launder personal items of clothing of people in hospital for protracted periods, particularly those being given end of life care.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Territorial NHS Boards have facilities for patients in long term care and provide laundering for those patients where they do not have relatives who can carry it out for them. Patients in an acute care setting are generally advised that they cannot have perso…

6 Jun 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to propose a parliamentary debate on sewage.

5 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government (a) whether and (b) how it plans to review social care provision for people with profound and complex care needs.

Answer · Maree Todd: As part of the development of the National Care Service (NCS), the Scottish Government is considering options to improve the ways people access social care support. This includes the processes by which their needs are assessed, their care is planned and their…

5 Jun 2023 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.

1 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are being taken to ensure healthy sandeel populations, which serve as a key source of food for Scottish seabirds.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Given the importance of sandeel to the wider ecosystem and the subsequent benefit in aiding long-term sustainability and resilience, it remains an overarching Scottish Government position, which is reflected in Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy, not to…

30 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what provisions it is making to support an expansion of capacity for after school clubs.

Answer · Natalie Don: We have committed to building a system of school age childcare, providing year-round childcare for families on low incomes. As announced by the First Minister on 3 April ( Expanding school age childcare - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) ), in 2023-24 we are investi…

23 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many A&E departments there are; what percentage of those have dedicated mental health professionals, and how many (a) additional mental health professionals in A&E departments have been recruited under Action 15 of the Mental Health Strategy 2017-2027 and (b) mental health profession…

Answer · Maree Todd: The A&E departments across NHS Scotland currently include:30 large consultant-led Emergency Departments; and60 minor injuries units and community units. At the end of the Action 15 commitment of the Scottish Government’s Mental Health Strategy 2017-2027, an …

23 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many GP surgeries there are; what percentage of those have dedicated mental health professionals, and how many (a) additional mental health professionals in GP surgeries have been recruited under Action 15 of the Mental Health Strategy 2017-2027 and (b) mental health professionals in…

Answer · Maree Todd: There were 905 general practices in Scotland at 1 April 2023( General practice list size and demographics information - General practice data - General practice - Our areas of work - Public Health Scotland ). The Scottish Government does not hold informati…

15 May 2023 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister for what reason only 4% of Scotland's sewage discharge points are monitored, compared with 91% in England.

12 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it costs to install a sewage overflow monitor.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: As this is an operational matter for Scottish Water I have asked them to respond. Their response is as follows: The cost of providing an overflow monitor can vary between £3,000 and £20,000 per location. Whilst the equipment itself is relatively inexpensive,…

5 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to tackle the reported increasing prevalence of (a) inflammatory bowel disease, (b) Crohn's disease and (c) colitis.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all people in Scotland living with Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease and colitis, are able to access the best possible care and support, and benefit from healthcare services that…

5 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many diagnoses there have been of (a) Crohn's disease and (b) ulcerative colitis in each of the last five years.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. This is a matter for Health Boards locally.

5 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will sign up to Crohn's and Colitis UK's campaign pledges, which are set out on its campaigns website.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring those living with Crohn’s or Colitis 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. Wh…

5 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much was spent on its recent public information awareness campaign to highlight the symptoms of Crohn's disease and colitis.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government spent £20,837 on the recent awareness campaign on Crohn’s and Colitis.

5 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many training places for gastroenterologists there have been in each year since 2019.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The following table sets how many Gastroenterology training posts were advertised and filled in Scotland in each year since 2019. The 2023 recruitment cycle is currently underway; results will be available later in the year.  Posts advertised Posts filled …

5 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many gastroenterologist vacancies there are.

Answer · Michael Matheson: There are 111.9 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) Gastroenterology consultants in post in Scotland, with 10.1 WTE vacancies. This data is accurate as of December 2022. There are 47 training posts across all years of the Gastroenterology training programme, all of …

5 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last meet with Crohn's and Colitis UK.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The former Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care met with Crohn’s & Colitis UK on 1 March 2023.

5 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many gastroenterologists have completed their training and started work in NHS Scotland since 2019.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The following table includes data on the number of Gastroenterology trainees who have completed training and attained a CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training) in each year since 2019. Trainees must obtain a CCT in order to practice as a consultant. Trai…

5 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce a national diagnostic pathway for people with lower gastrointestinal symptoms.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all people living with lower gastrointestinal symptoms in Scotland are able to access the best possible care and support, and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put people at the…

5 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many endoscopies were performed in each of the last five years.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The following table provides numbers of endoscopy procedures reported from inpatient, day case or outpatient settings in the past 5 years Table 1: Number of endoscopy procedures undertaken in NHS Scotland: 2017-18 to 2021-22 Financial Year Endoscopy proced…