Alex Cole-Hamilton

21 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will be able to provide an update on assessment arrangements for national qualifications for the academic year 2021-22.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Plans on the assessment approach for National courses in 2021-2022 are being considered by the National Qualifications 2021 Group based on the latest public health advice. SQA has also been engaging on assessment modifications for next year with teachers thro…

18 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support deaf people, and whether it will bring forward a national strategy on hearing loss.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting children and adults who have hearing loss, sight loss and dual sensory loss to access the health services and social care they need through its National See Hear Strategy . See Hear provides a strategic fr…

14 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date the additional financial support for the taxi trade in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that the First Minister made a commitment to provide during the election campaign will be made available.

Answer · Kate Forbes: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00023 on 24 May 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/chamber-and-committees/…

13 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it has offered to the Indian Government in light of the country's COVID-19 emergency and resultant humanitarian crisis.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the recent press release dated 22 May 2021 which is available on the Scottish Government website and can be found at www.gov.scot/news/scotlands-response-to-the-covid-19-crisis-in-india/ .

11 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether its COVID-19 guidance for pre-school children mixing in outdoor playgrounds differs from that for school children in primary one mixing in outdoor play areas, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Answer · John Swinney: Outdoor play and learning is an integral part of the early learning and childcare offer in Scotland and it is common for children to experience free-flow access to the outdoors in these settings. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for early learning and chi…

11 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when data on suspected suicides using the Police Scotland STORM database will be available; whether the data will be published, and whether it will allow for comparison of pre-and post-COVID-19 trends.

Answer · Clare Haughey: As indicated in the responses to S5W-36124 and S5W-36125 on 24 March 2021, Public Health Scotland is currently considering how more timely data on possible deaths by suicide might be produced. This involves work with Police Scotland to explore the potential u…

11 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what date will reliable real-time data to inform local and national suicide prevention be available, following reports on 3 October 2021 that the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group and Public Health Scotland are investigating ways to extract such data.

Answer · Clare Haughey: Public Health Scotland and Police Scotland have been exploring the sharing of more timely data recorded by Police Officers where they attend a possible death by suicide. The purpose of this work is to determine whether Police Scotland data on possible complet…

11 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints it has received about the COVID-19 vaccination helpline and booking service.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Data since w/c 01-03-21 Complaint - 23 Concern - 16 Compliment - 1 Feedback – 3 The Scottish Government is providing as much support as possible to ensure that the public have access to the required support and appointments services throughout the vaccin…

11 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) average and (b) longest waiting time has been for callers to the COVID-19 vaccination helpline and booking service, broken down by week.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is aware of the challenges and pressures faced by NHS colleagues in responding to and supporting members of the public who contact them about their Covid-19 vaccination appointment. The rollout of the vaccination programme is one of th…

11 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the time it takes to (a) collect and (b) publish data relating to deaths by suicide, and when any changes will come into effect.

Answer · Clare Haughey: Public Health Scotland (PHS) and Police Scotland have been exploring how data on possible deaths by suicide, as recorded by the police, could be provided more timeously, and act as a valid proxy for confirmed deaths by suicide. This data is intended to inform…

11 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many care home residents are still to receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, broken down by the reasons they have not received the first dose, and how many of those who have not yet received a first dose are expected to receive the vaccine.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: As of 22 March 2021:33,409 first dose vaccinations of all care home residents have now been completed, exceeding the initial target for all care home residents. This is a cumulative count of all residents since the vaccination programme began and may include …

11 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting universities and colleges to host graduation ceremonies in the summer, in light of COVID-19 restrictions.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government recognises that graduation is an important moment in a student’s life, offering students a chance to celebrate their hard work and achievements. The hosting of graduation ceremonies is an operational matter for individual institutions …

10 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the COVID-19 vaccine rollout appears to be demonstrably slower in the City of Edinburgh than in other areas.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Population estimates of JCVI priority groups were published in the COVID-19 Vaccine deployment plan on 14 January drawing on the latest available data at that point. The variance in the population demographic across Health Board areas for the age groups is no…

10 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what targets will be put in place to monitor improvement in bronchiectasis care as a result of the Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Respiratory Care Action Plan will set out the priorities and commitments to support the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of respiratory conditions including bronchiectasis. We are committed to building a data set to inform the implementation of the Pla…

10 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people are currently diagnosed with bronchiectasis.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the response to question S5W-35928.  

10 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many sputum samples have been tested in the past year in relation to a diagnosis of bronchiectasis.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The information requested is not held centrally.

10 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS boards provide a self-management plan for people living with bronchiectasis. 

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35928 on 24 March 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/…

10 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason caravan parks were required to close during the first COVI9-19 lockdown, allowing patrons to benefit from a fee reduction, and for what reason they are currently being advised to remain open, at a cost to owners who cannot use their caravans.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Whilst we recognise that the virus and the restrictions put in place have devastated Scotland’s tourism and hospitality sector, the protection of life is, and must remain, our key concern. Caravan parks were required to close down during the first lockdown a…

9 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when saunas and steam rooms will be allowed to reopen under its revised COVID-19 Strategic Framework, and what evidence informed its decision for these to remain closed throughout lockdown, in light of different restrictions on them operating in other parts of the UK.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Currently indoor sport and leisure facilities are closed. The indicative date of Monday 26 April for the reopening of indoor sport and leisure facilities have been given the indicative date to reopen. The indicative dates are dependent on continued progress i…

9 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when exercise in gyms and indoor fitness classes will be able to resume under its revised COVID-19 Strategic Framework.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: On 16 March the First Minister outlined some indicative dates for the resumption of sport and physical activity in Scotland. From Monday, 26 April indoor facilities including leisure centres, gyms, and swimming pools can reopen. When they reopen, children and…

9 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when, under its revised COVID-19 Strategic Framework, domestic cleaners will be permitted to clean homes other than those of vulnerable people, who are unable to clean their own homes.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The current regulations limit the entry of other people into homes for the purpose of the upkeep, maintenance or functioning of the house to where the work is essential for that purpose in level 4. These restrictions have been put in place to limit the transm…

8 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when amateur football will be permitted to resume under the revised Strategic Framework.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: From 12 March, contact sport for under 12s, such as football, was permitted to re-start, in accordance with the Scottish FA guidelines. Football for young people between 12 and 17 is scheduled to re-start on 5 April. On 16 March, the First Minister set out a …

8 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when in-person antenatal classes can resume under its revised COVID-19 Strategic Framework.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Current guidance for delivery of maternity and neonatal services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic states that Boards should offer both virtual and in-person group antenatal sessions, in protection levels zero to three. Once the geographic protection levels ha…

5 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government. further to the answer to question S5W-35513 by Jeane Freeman on 4 March 2021, what COVID-19 regulations personal trainers who assist people with muscular conditions must follow.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: In level 4, personal trainers are currently permitted to work with one other person outside. From Friday 12 March, Personal Trainers can hold outdoor group sessions with up to another 14 people. If they are treating a musculoskeletal condition that requires …

3 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when community centres will be allowed to re-open for people and groups to use under the revised Strategic Framework.

Answer · John Swinney: Under current lockdown restrictions, the Strategic Framework allows for community centres to open where they are required to facilitate the provision of essential services such as the co-ordination of food parcels or medical supplies. It is anticipated that …

3 Mar 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact might be of any reduction in the number of routes served by Edinburgh Airport following the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions.

2 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates the tourism industry will reopen to allow for (a) self-catering accommodation to be used for holiday rentals and (b) travel between different areas for Scotland.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Strategic Framework will provide the pathway to reopening of tourism which will be gradual and cautious. We will provide as much clarity and detail as is possible for planning purposes and intend to publish a strategic framework review next week. We will …

2 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when in-person therapy sessions for people with PTSD and other anxiety disorders will be able to resume under its revised COVID-19 Strategic Framework.

Answer · Clare Haughey: At this stage it is not possible to give a definitive date for all cases. The decision to offer support services in-person or remotely will be made on clinical grounds, based on assessed need alongside Covid-19 infection control considerations.

1 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to allowing parents with young children to travel across local authority boundaries to receive support from their immediate family, in a socially distanced and safe way.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government continues to acknowledge the fact that on-going restrictions have been challenging for everyone, in particular for families with young children. Essential reasons for travel include providing care, assistance, support to or respite fo…

1 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when contact sports for 12- to 17-year-olds will be allowed to restart under its revised COVID-19 Strategic Framework.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: On 9 March, the First Minister announced that organised outdoor non-contact group sport and physical activity for 12-17 year olds will be permitted to resume from 12 March, subject to a maximum of 15 participants and to sport specific guidance agreed with spo…