Alex Cole-Hamilton

29 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it is having with Optometry Scotland regarding its request for a fee uplift and regular yearly review of fees; when it anticipates making an announcement on this, and whether any increase will be backdated to the start of the financial year.

Answer · Maree Todd: I can confirm that a fee award increase for General Ophthalmic Services eye examinations is under active consideration.

27 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how much money has been spent on improving children and young people's mental health services since the publication of the Coronavirus (COVID-19): mental health - transition and recovery plan.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: As you know, our Mental Health Transition & Recovery Plan, which sets out over 100 actions in response to the mental health effects of the pandemic, is supported by a £120 million Recovery and Renewal fund. This year, around £40 million has been allocated to…

27 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on workforce planning for children and young people's mental health services since the publication of the Coronavirus (COVID-19): mental health - transition and recovery plan.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government is committed to improving the population of Scotland’s mental health and wellbeing; ensuring everyone receives the best possible care and treatment from our health and care services. Delivering service improvement can only be achieved …

23 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action is taking to ensure that the decision regarding whether children should have a COVID-19 vaccination will remain a matter of personal choice for the young people concerned.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Informed consent is integral to the vaccination programme, and we have developed detailed information for young people and their parents or carers to allow them to make informed decisions on vaccination. Vaccinators are fully trained and have materials to sup…

16 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that people who have taken part in a COVID-19 vaccine trial have access to their certificate of vaccination.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We are extremely grateful to everyone who has volunteered for vaccine trials in Scotland. We are committed to ensuring that these volunteers are not disadvantaged in any way, and work is on-going to ensure their vaccine status is correctly presented on the va…

13 Sep 2021 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government will support the Scottish Ambulance Service in coping with reports of unprecedented pressure that is resulting in significant increases to waiting times.

9 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what planning it is undertaking to ensure that there are sufficient nurses with the right competencies and skills to fill vacant specialist roles as they arise.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Over nine consecutive years, qualified nursing numbers have grown and we have also steadily increased places on undergraduate nursing courses. Ahead of each academic year, the Scottish Government undertakes a robust student intake planning process which seeks…

9 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to undertake modelling of the cancer services workforce regarding any requirements due to rising demand and more complex needs.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: This government has seen an 87.7% increase in consultant oncologists and we’ve increased consultant radiologists by 57.4% (September 2006 – June 2021). We recognise the immense pressure our NHS workforce has been under in response to the pandemic and we are w…

9 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make specific commitments on the cancer services workforce in the forthcoming National Workforce Strategy.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We are currently working in consultation with partners and stakeholders to agree the scope and content of the National Workforce Strategy. The Strategy will be designed around objectives which support remobilisation, recovery and renewal of Health and Social …

3 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to figures from Public Health Scotland suggesting that the average number of primary contacts for COVID-19 cases has reduced from six in the week beginning 20 June 2021 to 1.5 in the week beginning 29 August.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Figures published by Public Health Scotland about average numbers of close contacts are based on completed Test and Protect interviews and completed online tracing form data, where index cases identify their close contacts. As of 19 September Test and Protec…

1 Sep 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on establishing a commission to prevent violence against women, in all its forms.

30 Aug 2021 · First Minister's Question

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

26 Aug 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what dates it has met the UK Government to discuss the establishment of an inquiry on the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic; whether it will publish the minutes of these meetings, and on what dates future discussions or meetings are planned.

Answer · John Swinney: Scottish Ministers have kept the UK Government updated on our plans for a public inquiry on the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and look forward to receiving further details of the UK Government’s plans. These exchanges have been in the course of routine o…

25 Aug 2021 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its programme for mental health within the NHS Recovery Plan.

11 Aug 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people were waiting for (a) brain surgery, (b) treatment for gynaecological conditions, (c) eye treatment, (d) ear, nose and throat treatment, (e) gastroenterology services, (f) ophthalmology services, (g) trauma treatment and (h) orthopaedic services in May (i) 2019, (ii) 2020,…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The figures provided below include patients waiting to have their initial appointment with a consultant (new outpatient) and patients who were waiting to be admitted for treatment (inpatient or day case) within select specialties relating to the question. In…

11 Aug 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date community and amateur choirs will be able to resume in-person practice and gatherings.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Since 9 August, Scotland has moved beyond Level 0 restrictions and therefore beyond the Protection Levels system. This means that all venues are now allowed to open and most legal restrictions have been removed. The Scottish Government has published summary …

5 Aug 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what means hospital patients in receipt of the COVID-19 vaccine can expect to obtain the batch number for the vaccine they have received.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Previously, individuals had to access the batch number of the vaccine they received in Scotland by requesting access to their medical records. Batch numbers are now available on vaccination status certificates which can be downloaded or obtained at: Get a re…

5 Aug 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing a means by which neurodiverse school pupils could be exempted from the requirement to have a negative PCR test before returning to school, after being identified as a close contact of a pupil or teacher who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: As outlined in the Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools guidance, published 16 August 2021, from 9 August our approach to contact tracing and self-isolation for close contacts aged under 18, including those attending schools, ha…

4 Aug 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what conditions will require to be met to allow bagpipe lessons to resume in primary schools.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: In line with the updated guidance on reducing risk in schools and the move to Level 0, children and young people can now engage in all music activities in schools, indoors and outdoors. Safety mitigations, for example good ventilation and enhanced hygiene, sh…

2 Aug 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce the amount of plastic waste exported to other countries.

Answer · Michael Matheson: It is vital that waste is managed responsibly and sustainably, and we want to be able to manage more of our own waste within Scotland. A large majority of Scotland’s waste is managed within Scotland, but around 14% is currently processed elsewhere, representi…

30 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent reports regarding Queens consent, whether it will provide details of (a) the procedure for this and (b) its impact.

Answer · George Adam: I refer the member to the answers to questions S6W-02027 and S6W-02030 on 26 August 2021. 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/cham…

23 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what projects the Scottish National Investment Bank has supported since its creation.

Answer · Kate Forbes: Since the Scottish National Investment Bank opened for business in November 2020 it has invested £55.5 million in line with its strategic missions. Details of the each of the Bank’s investments are published on the Bank’s ‘Our Portfolio’ page: https://www.th…

22 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent communication it has had with the UK Government regarding Hong Kong residents moving to Scotland.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Scotland is a welcoming nation and those who decide to come to Scotland from Hong Kong and elsewhere will be welcomed for the positive contribution they will bring to our communities, economy and society. The British National (Overseas)visa scheme was launche…

22 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support Hong Kong residents who are moving to Scotland.

Answer · Shona Robison: Scotland has a long history of welcoming people of all nationalities, including those from Hong Kong. We recognise the positive contribution that they make to society. They are assets to our communities: sharing their culture, building businesses, working in …

14 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether people who arrive from an amber list country before the 19 July 2021 (a) will be required to isolate for the full 10 days, or (b) will not be required to isolate after 19 July 2021.

Answer · Michael Matheson: We have been able to introduce a policy of exempting people from self-isolation where they arrive from an amber list countries and have been fully vaccinated as part of the UK rollout. Those who have been exempted must show evidence at the point of entering S…

14 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether under-18s who are returning from an amber list county after 19 July 2021 will be required to self-isolate for 10 days on their return, and to take COVID-19 tests.

Answer · Michael Matheson: We have removed the requirement for self-isolation for under 18s who are normally resident in the UK or are a dependent of those exempt having been fully vaccinated. Children aged 12-17 travelling from Amber list countries will only take day 2 test and younge…

14 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-00689 by Maree Todd on 2 July 2021, whether it considers that the information requested can be kept accurate and up-to-date, given that it is not held centrally.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government encourages any defibrillator guardian, including those placed in primary or secondary schools, to register their device with the Scottish Ambulance Service to enable an accurate and up to date central record of defibrillators across Sc…

14 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-00689 by Maree Todd on 2 July 2021, for what reason the information requested is not held centrally.

Answer · Maree Todd: While the Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally, the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) hold information about defibrillators across Scotland – available at: Registering your Automated External Defibrillator . The key aspect of the info…

13 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding the weighing of children in primary schools, as proposed for schools in England, to monitor and improve health and wellbeing.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: In Scotland, the height and weight of children entering Primary 1 is collated annually and children are assigned to healthy and unhealthy weight categories based on their body mass index (BMI), in line with an outcome of the 2018 Diet and Healthy Weight Deliv…

13 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that milk will be provided to pupils in rural areas, should smaller contractors not have the resources to do so under the new Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme.

Answer · Clare Haughey: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-01456 on 11 August 2021. In addition, the Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme has been costed using the best available data including feedback from dairy suppliers and an uplift was applied to the funding mo…