Alex Cole-Hamilton

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether nail technicians who run their businesses from home will be able to resume services on 22 July 2020, in line with nail salons.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Following an announcement by the First Minister on 9 July, beauty salons offering services including nail treatments are permitted to reopen from 22 July. The Scottish Government has published guidance for close contact services based on a risk assessment pr…

8 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ringfence all of the money that is received from the Zoo Support Fund to support zoos and aquariums, in the same way that it has protected funding in a similar scheme for the arts and culture sectors.

Answer · Kate Forbes: On 18 June, the Scottish Government announced a £2.6 million animal welfare fund for zoos and aquariums. This is in addition to the other forms of support available to visitor attractions and businesses in Scotland. We will continue to assess the need for fur…

8 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-29884 by Michael Matheson on 22 June 2020, whether it can provide any further clarity as to when driving tests can resume.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The First Minister has indicated that an update on the timescales for the resumption of driving lessons would be made on 30 July. Until the resumption of driving lessons has been confirmed, there will be no resumption of car driving tests in Scotland, except …

8 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that any COVID-19 treatments that are developed from the £5 million that it has awarded to institutions for rapid research are openly licensed to ensure that they are affordable and accessible.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The licensing of medicines is reserved to the UK Government. A small number of the 56 research projects funded through the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office (CSO) rapid research in COVID-19 call are investigating potential treatments for COVID-19.…

8 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many treatment courses of Remdesivir are in stock and, in light of reports that the United States has bought all remaining stock for the next three months, what its position is on where there is a sufficient supply for the treatment of COVID-19 across all NHS board areas in the short…

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The supply of medicines is reserved to the UK Government, and is the responsibility of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The DHSC has advised Scottish Government officials that is confident there is sufficient supply of remdesivir in the NHS t…

8 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that Dexamethasone is effective for the treatment of COVID-19, and that, because it is out of patent, it is inexpensive, whether will it use its Crown Use Licence powers to override any patents on other COVID-19 treatments to help ensure affordability and accessibili…

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The regulation of medicine pricing is reserved to the UK Government The Scottish Government continues to keep open all lawful options, including the use of Crown Use Licensing, to ensure the Scottish population can access the treatments they need.

8 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to relax the guidance on social distancing for under-12s to include all children who are transitioning from P7 to S1.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is required by law to review lockdown restrictions every three weeks. The next review falls on 10 August. On the basis of the scientific advice, and subject to all other risk mitigation measures being appropriately implemented, the cur…

6 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of research studies that suggest an upsurge in post-viral fatigue syndrome and, potentially, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), following the COVID-19 pandemic, and what its response is to this.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-28900 on 15 May 2020 and also S5W-29660 on 10 July 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parl…

6 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-29883 by Michael Matheson on 22 June 2020, whether it yet has a date for when guidance on how driving instructors can resume providing driving lessons safely will be published.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Following the announcement by the First Minister on the 9 th of July, it was confirmed that driving lessons will not resume before 31 st of July. An update will be made at the earliest opportunity to ensure driving instructors will be able to return to work w…

3 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether people who are unable to wear face coverings for health reasons will require proof of these reasons when (a) using public transport and (b) shopping or working in a shop.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: People who are exempt from wearing a face covering are not required to carry proof on either public transport or when shopping or working in a retail setting.

2 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when beauticians who specialise in services such as nail treatments will be permitted to operate again.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Following publication of the update routemap on 9 July, beauticians including those specialising in nail treatments are permitted to resume trading from 22 July 2020. The Scottish Government has published guidance for close contact services including beautic…

2 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether mobile hairdressers will be permitted to operate again from 15 July 2020.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Following publication of the updated routemap on 9 July, hairdressers are permitted to resume trading from 15 July 2020. This includes mobile hairdressers. The Scottish Government has published updated guidance for close contact services including hairdresse…

1 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to produce updated guidance regarding when vitamin B12 injections can be administered again for people unable to take B12 tablets.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Guidance on the provision of B12 injections has been produced by the British Society for Haematology ( https://b-s-h.org.uk/media/18275/bsh-guidance-b12-replacement-covid-1901052020finalv.pdf ). This advises that GPs should use their clinical judgement to c…

30 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether its Race Equality Action Plan will take account of the recommendation of the International Committee on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination to ensure that the curriculum for excellence contains material regarding the human rights violations and slavery associate…

Answer · John Swinney: On 20 March 2020 we published the Year 2 progress update on our Race Equality Action Plan. A final year report of this Plan will be published in 2021, which will include consideration of activity across all relevant portfolios. Scotland’s curriculum is not p…

30 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether its Race Equality Action Plan will take account of the recommendation in the BEMIS conference report, A Thematic Conference on Tackling Hate Crime and Prejudice Motivated by Racial and Religious Hatred, to set up an expert group that will examine how to integrate material in the …

Answer · John Swinney: On 20 March 2020 we published the Year 2 progress update on our Race Equality Action Plan. A final year report of this Plan will be published in 2021, which will include consideration of activity across all relevant portfolios. Scotland’s curriculum is not p…

29 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government at what point on its COVID-19 route map measures regarding who can be present during maternity care appointments will be relaxed.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: On the 30 th of June 2020, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport announced during the daily media briefing that visiting restrictions were being relaxed in hospitals, in line with Scotland’s Covid-19 Route Map. Additional guidance has published specific…

26 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects respite and day care services for adults with learning disabilities to open again.

Answer · Clare Haughey: Respite and day care encompasses a wide variety of types of support. Some day care and respite support for people with learning disabilities has remained in place with appropriate physical distancing and hygiene measures, whilst other services have re-opened,…

25 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when (a) domestic cleaning companies and (b) self-employed cleaners can resume working under the COVID-19 guidelines.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Business and Physical Distancing guidance states that work carried out in people's homes is now permitted. This advises that it should only take place provided that the tradesperson, irrespective of profession, is well and is not showing coronavirus sympt…

25 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when updated guidance regarding COVID-19 will be provided for professional dog walking companies in order for them to walk larger groups.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: An update to the guidance which provides up-to-date information for professional dog walkers, among other animal-related businesses, was published on 24 July 2020 and is available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-animal-ow…

25 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether escape room businesses are covered by the COVID-19 guidance for cinemas and theatres.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: Guidance to support the safe reopening of escape room businesses will not be included in the sector guidance for cinemas and theatres. Scottish Government is seeking further public health advice prior to indicating the dates for the reopening of indoor entert…

24 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of National 5 students not sitting exams in 2020, what consideration it has given to whether this will mean they are less prepared for the pressure of sitting Higher level exams in 2021, and what action it proposes to better prepare them for that experience.

Answer · John Swinney: The Education Recovery Group, which I chair, is considering the recovery phase of the education system, including delivery of the assessment of National Qualifications in 2020-2021. Our priority continues to be to ensure fairness for all learners. Each year,…

23 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when personal trainers will be allowed to recommence offering one-to-one training to clients in studios on a socially-distanced basis.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: We are currently working on the development of guidance for gyms and other indoor leisure facilities in accordance with the timescales as set out in the Scottish Government route map, however, at present there is no specific dates for the reopening of any ind…

23 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the education secretary's announcement on 23 June 2020 on the proposed full-time return to school in August 2020, what plans it has for the learning of those children who are shielding due to medical conditions or who live with a family member who is shielding.

Answer · John Swinney: At the moment the guidance on the return to school for those shielding is provided within the re-opening of schools guide, which is available from https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-re-opening-schools-guide/  It provides a range of guidan…

22 Jun 2020 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the number of people tracked through its test and trace system, and the availability of its digital tool to the public.

22 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will permit the partners of pregnant women to attend antenatal appointments during the easing of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: On the 30 th of June 2020, I announced during the daily media briefing that visiting restrictions are being relaxed in hospitals from 13 July, in line with Scotland’s Coronavirus Route Map. In addition we are also developing additional guidance for Maternity …

19 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance has been sent to local authorities regarding reopening the public conveniences that have been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how it will ensure that there is adequate public provision of these services as the country moves out of lockdown.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government has released guidance on how public and customer toilets can open safely. This guidance has been sent directly to local authorities to assist in planning the safe reopening of public toilets. We are reviewing current policy on an on-go…

18 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to allow commercial businesses to open their customer toilets for public use.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government has released guidance on how public and customer toilets can open safely. The decision to open public toilets in commercial businesses is to be made by the operator. You can find a copy of the guidance here .

17 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many psychiatry vacancies have been unfilled in each NHS board in the last 12 months.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Information on Psychiatry specialty vacancies in the last 12 months, broken down by NHS Board, can be found on the TURAS NHS Education for Scotland workforce statistics site at: https://turasdata.nes.nhs.scot/workforce-official-statistics/nhsscotland-workfor…

17 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many radiology vacancies have been unfilled in each NHS board in the last 12 months.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Information on Clinical Radiology vacancies in the last 12 months, broken down by NHS Board, can be found on the TURAS NHS Education for Scotland workforce statistics site at: https://turasdata.nes.nhs.scot/workforce-official-statistics/nhsscotland-workforce…

15 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a list of the businesses that have been awarded a grant through the Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund during the COVID-19 emergency.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Yes, we will publish a list of all awards through the Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund. Our Enterprise Agencies will be publishing a short report on the performance of the funds they have managed and a list of all successful applicants in the coming weeks. …