Parliamentary questions
Alexander Stewart
482 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
18 Nov 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that future anti-smoking campaigns addressed at young people take account of any concerns that they might have regarding whether there is a link between smoking and weight gain or loss.
Answer · Maree Todd: Stopping smoking at any time is one of the best things you can do for your health, and the health of those around you. We work alongside YoungScot, schools and further education institutions when developing our campaigns to ensure young people are aware of t…
16 Nov 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that no dental surgeries in Fife are registering new NHS patients.
Answer · Maree Todd: The dental sector has been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and pre-COVID levels of patient volume are not currently achievable with the current infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance. The majority of dental treatments involve the use of a…
16 Nov 2021 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the number of referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services that are declined.
27 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-02154 by Maree Todd on 27 August 2021, whether it will launch a consultation on restricting the advertising and promotion of Nicotine Vapour Products (NVPs) in November 2021.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government intends to launch a consultation on restricting the advertising and promotion of Nicotine Vapour Products (NVPs) by the end of this year. The precise timings for this launch are dependent on the progress of other Scottish Government a…
27 Oct 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish a response to the results of the Prohibiting smoking outside hospital buildings: consultation.
Answer · Maree Todd: The consultation analysis on prohibiting smoking outside hospital buildings was published in June 2020. This independent analysis showed widespread public support for the proposals to introduce a 15 metre smoke-free perimeter around hospital buildings. The S…
26 Oct 2021 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the 2019 Scottish export statistics.
8 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report, Non-Communicable Disease Prevention: Priorities 2021/22, and what action it will take in relation to the report’s recommendations.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government welcomes the report on Non-Communicable Disease Prevention published on 6 September and recognises that its recommendations are in line with the Government’s own approach, based on the World Health Organisation strategies of reducing A…
1 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of it granting planning permission in principle in 2017, whether it will provide an update on its involvement with the Park of Keir development.
Answer · Tom Arthur: In August 2017 Scottish Ministers issued their intention to grant permission for a tennis and golf centre, including hotel and 19 houses, subject to conditions and completion of a legal agreement. On 26th August 2021 the signed legal agreement was submitted t…
23 Aug 2021 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to ensuring that any legislation it introduces to support the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic does not seek to allow regulations to be made or changed without being subject to the affirmative parliamentary procedure.
16 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme 2021 national report stating that fewer people have been admitted to hospital with a stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic, how many out-of-hospital deaths due to stroke there have been in each reporting period of the last three Scotti…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: National Records of Scotland (NRS) publish deaths by cause in their vital events reference tables, including stroke, available under cerebrovascular disease, table 6.04: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/statistics/statistics-by-theme/vital-e…
16 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what criteria need to be met in order for an area of a hospital to be designated a stroke unit; how the capabilities of stroke units have been maintained during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that people who survive a stroke receive full stroke unit care; which NHS boards have had their…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The core criteria for defining a stroke unit are well described in the academic literature, including in Langhorne et al (2002). Though the size and configuration of stroke units across Scotland may vary depending on local factors, most will be in a defined w…
16 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the World Stroke Organization's Roadmap to Delivering Quality Stroke Care, how it assesses Scotland’s stroke care against this roadmap; what Scotland’s current level of stroke service capacity is; what gaps exist, compared with the roadmap; what action it will take to ensure…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Work is ongoing to produce a progressive stroke pathway document by December 2021. This will take account of international evidence, including the World Stroke Organisation’s roadmap to delivering quality stroke care, to define what a progressive stroke pathw…
16 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in the period covered by the Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme 2021 national report, how many people who survived a stroke were discharged with (a) a significant, (b) a moderate, (c) a slight and (d) no disability; how their rehabilitation needs were assessed; how many patients rece…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Stroke Care Audit does not currently directly measure level of disability at the time of hospital discharge. The stroke improvement team rehabilitation sub group is currently considering future updates to measure rehabilitation service delivery, …
16 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme 2021 national report, what it considers the impact on stroke (a) mortality and (b) recovery would be if all NHS boards achieved their targets for stroke bundle provision, and what its position is on whether achieving these bundle pro…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: There is evidence that achieving the stroke bundle reduces mortality and increases the chance of patients returning to their usual place of residence after stroke. There are a number of other factors in achieving an acceptable level of care for people with …
13 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the advice on its website, which was last updated on 8 July 2021, stating "domestic cruises with more than 12 passengers will be allowed when all of Scotland reaches Level 1", when restrictions on domestic cruises will be lifted.
Answer · Ivan McKee: From Monday 19 July, all parts of Scotland moved to level 0. Domestic cruises are able to operate from this date. We have worked closely with the industry to keep them informed of the agreed conditions that would allow operations once again. Our guidance on d…
14 Jun 2021 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to a recent survey, which records that more than 2,000 incidents of racism have been reported in schools over the last three years.
2 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the appeal launched by the European Stroke Organisation in May 2021 calling for health ministers across Europe to sign a declaration for action on implementing a Europe-wide stroke action plan, and how its response impacts its Stroke Improvement Plan.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government welcomes the work of the European Stroke Organisation and we agree that it is vital to ensure improvements are made to stroke pathways and services, including prevention, treatment and care. Through our Programme for Government commit…
2 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to publish the definition of its progressive stroke service as detailed in its Programme for Government 2019-20; what plans it has to implement a progressive stroke service, and how it will ensure that people who survive a stroke in Scotland will have the same opportuni…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government is expecting a report on progressive stroke services by the end of December 2021. This Report will help to support and drive improvement in stroke services across Scotland. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that people …
1 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will begin its public consultation on Nicotine Vapour Products (NVPs), as proposed in the Respiratory Care Action Plan.
Answer · Maree Todd: A public consultation into the advertising and promotion of Nicotine Vapour Products (NVPs) will begin this Autumn. The consultation was postponed due to the pandemic and will cover views on potentially introducing Scotland wide restrictions on the advertisin…
27 May 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the figures released by the Scottish Library and Information Council that 123 public libraries remain closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that a number might not reopen, and, in light of this, what support it will give to local authorities to ensure that …
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government places great importance on public libraries and believes everyone should have access to these services. Libraries don’t just provide access to reading material. They play a crucial role in providing access to IT, improving attainment, …
20 May 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has put in place to enable timely alternative appointments for people who, for health or work reasons, have been unable to attend their second COVID-19 vaccination appointment, in order to ensure maximum efficacy and given the rising number of cases being attributed to t…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Given the risk that the 02 variant may spread quicker around Scotland, having people fully vaccinated is important in reducing risks of morbidity and mortality. In line with the latest JCVI advice, where vaccine supply allows we will bring forward the second…
8 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what procedures it has in place to ensure the political impartiality of all primary and secondary school teachers while they are conducting classes of all subjects.
Answer · John Swinney: I would refer the member to my answer to S5W-35819 on? 17 March 2021 which is also relevant. Teachers employed in Scottish schools are required to be registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) by law. They are expected to conduct themsel…
5 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to tackle the production and sale of fake Valium pills, in light of reports of potentially lethal pills being sold in Fife as well as online.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government continues to work with partners on Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce to disrupt the production and distribution of illicit drugs, including fake Valium. The availability of illicit pills, particularly fake Valium pills, is o…
22 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made to ensure that no vulnerable people are excluded from the COVID-19 vaccine appointments list.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government has been very clear from day one that the pace and rollout of our national vaccine programme is key to tackling the pandemic and we are determined to reach as much of the population, and in order of vulnerability based on clinical advi…
12 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether self-employed, home-working travel agents are eligible for current COVID-19 support schemes, where such agents do not pay business rates and own their own property, and what consideration it has given to introducing business support grants for this particular group.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Both the Strategic Framework Business Fund and the £5 million Travel Agent Fund are tied to having a business premises, which reflects the higher overall costs facing premises-based businesses including rent and utilities. While self-employed, homeworking tr…
5 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) 2016 guidelines have been embedded into the treatment of stroke care; whether there are any areas of the guidelines where the evidence is not (a) robust in the Scottish environment and (b) relevant to pati…
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Stroke Care Standards are regularly reviewed in line with current evidence and updated guidelines. We monitor the implementation of these standards through the Scottish Stroke Care Audit to ensure that stroke patients in Scotland are receiving hi…
5 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, as it makes progress on thrombectomy provision in Scotland, whether it will provide an update on a) what plans it has to increase the rate of thrombolysis across the country (b) what the target thrombolysis rate is, and by when will this be achieved.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government expects NHS Boards to provide the best possible care for those who have experienced a stroke, including the provision of thrombolysis where considered clinically appropriate. The Scottish Government continues to support the Scottish S…
5 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether its Programme for Government has provided a definition for the "progressive Scottish stroke unit"; by what date patients who have had a stroke will be fully treated through stroke unit care, and how the "progressive Scottish stroke unit" (a) c…
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Programme for Government (PfG) 2019-20 commits the Scottish Government to ensuring that improvements are made to stroke pathways and services, including work to scope out and define what a progressive stroke unit looks like. Work has been on-going during…
5 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what obligations NHS boards have to provide rehabilitation to patients who become disabled as a result of a stroke; how NHS boards determine a programme of rehabilitation for each patient, and how patients who have had a stroke are able to know that they have received all the relevant tr…
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Stroke and Heart Disease Improvement Plans (2014) recognises the importance of specialist rehabilitation and the need for the delivery of services to support people living with stroke and heart disease and their families. We expect NHS Boards to appropri…
5 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what obligations NHS boards have to ensure up-to-date guidelines are used to underpin the quality of the care provided to stroke patients, and how NHS boards have fulfilled these obligations in any absence of national stroke guidelines.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35029 on 25 February 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/parliamentarybusine…