- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 June 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 28 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how it will be ensured that there are no adverse effects on the internationally designated Firth of Forth Special Protection Area and nationally designated Firth of Forth Site of Special Scientific Interest during the development and operation of the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme.
Answer
As promoter of the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme, Falkirk Council is required and committed to protecting natural habitats and enjoyment of the waterways while constructing flood defences that will safeguard communities.
The Scheme acknowledges the nationally and internationally-significant environmental designations present in the area which provide habitat for large numbers of birds. A precautionary approach has been adopted and consultation with the relevant Statutory Authorities is ongoing. An Appropriate Assessment and Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) will form part of the Scheme documentation.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) considers the possible impact of the scheme and proposed mitigation measures under a number of headings; including wildlife and biodiversity, air quality, noise and vibration, landscape and cultural heritage. This assessment will be concluded later this year and be published when the Scheme is Notified.
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 16 June 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 28 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of stigma on late presentation and diagnosis of liver disease.
Answer
The latest findings of the British Liver Trust show that alcohol-related liver disease accounts for 60% of all liver disease and that 94% of British adults associate alcohol with liver disease and people with liver disease often feel stigmatised.
The impact of stigma often prevents people from accessing treatment or limits delivery of a successful intervention.
Liver diseases are generally avoidable, or treatable, if diagnosed at an early stage. Stigma often prevents people from accessing treatment; 75% of people currently being diagnosed are at a stage when it is too late for lifestyle changes or intervention.
The Scottish Government is committed to tackling stigma and ensuring that people are diagnosed and treated more quickly. In December 2021 a national campaign was launched to tackle the stigma people with problematic alcohol and drug use face.
We are working with Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems to develop an action plan in relation to alcohol and stigma. This work builds on the earlier work of the Drugs Death Task Force around drugs and stigma.
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 16 June 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 28 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of rising levels of obesity on (a) non-alcohol-related fatty liver disease and (b) non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Answer
Living with overweight or obesity is linked with an increased risk of developing a range of health conditions, including non-alcohol-related fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). According to the 2019 Scottish Health Survey , two-thirds of adults in Scotland were overweight or obese. Obesity prevalence in Scotland has remained relatively stable since 2008.
The Scottish Government has not carried out a specific assessment of the impact of rising levels of obesity on NAFLD or NASH.
We want everyone in Scotland to eat well and have a healthy weight. We continue to implement our 2018 Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan . We also continue to support NHS boards to improve weight management services in line with our Type 2 Diabetes Prevention, Early Detection and Intervention Framework and Public Health Scotland’s national standards .
Further information on NAFLD and NASH is available to the public and clinicians on NHS Inform and other professional groups such as British Society of Gastroenterology , and charitable organisations such as British Liver Trust .
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 27 June 2022
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update following the summit on safe access to abortion services convened by the First Minister.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2022
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 June 2022
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 29 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to support the establishment of more publicly-owned bus services.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 29 June 2022
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 30 May 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 14 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to FIVEXMORE's Black Maternity Experiences Survey, in particular the finding that 43% of respondents reported feeling discriminated against during their maternity care.
Answer
The Scottish Government welcomes the publication of FIVEXMORE’s [The] Black Maternity Experiences Survey – a Nationwide Study of Black Women’s Experiences of Maternity Services in the United Kingdom , published on 24 May 2022, and we are considering its findings carefully, alongside the actions and recommendations from all audit reports and the MBRRACE-UK confidential enquiries. Our expectation remains clear: that mothers and babies receive high-quality, person-centred maternity care at all times, tailored to their needs, with quality and safety central to decision-making.
We are participating in the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ Race Equality Taskforce . The Scottish Government’s Senior Medical Officer for Maternity and Women’s Health is a member of the Taskforce, which will make recommendations for actions in maternity services to tackle the inequity in outcomes for pregnant women and babies from minority ethnic communities.
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 May 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 14 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider standardising testing for coeliac disease by encouraging local audits of blood tests against endoscopies and biopsies.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all people living in Scotland with long term conditions such as coeliac disease are able to access the best possible care and support.
The provision of healthcare services, such as audits of blood tests, is the responsibility of NHS Boards, taking into account national guidance, local service needs and priorities for investment.
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 May 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 14 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the demand on endoscopy services to diagnose coeliac disease.
Answer
The Scottish Government remains committed to enhancing diagnosis and care for people with coeliac disease in Scotland. We have developed a Scottish Coeliac Disease Pathway (2020) in partnership with people living with the condition, the charity Coeliac UK and clinicians. This has been shown to accelerate correct diagnosis and access to appropriate treatment (gluten-free diet and lifestyle) as detailed in the Coeliac Disease Pathway Report . It is our expectation that all Health Boards will fully implement this pathway.
We have also invested £70 million in support of our Endoscopy and Urology Diagnostic Recovery and Renewal Plan . This includes a commitment to promote and implement guidelines for non-biopsy diagnosis for coeliac disease, which is expected to reduce waiting times for diagnosis for this condition. This plan will be overseen by the Endoscopy and Urology Diagnostic Elective Care Group (EUDECG) with representation from all key stakeholders to support delivery, including NHS Boards and Endoscopy units across the country.
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 30 May 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 14 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Birthrights report, Systemic racism, not broken bodies, on racial injustice and human rights in UK maternity care.
Answer
The Scottish Government welcomes the publication of Birthright’s report - Systemic Racism, not Broken Bodies , published on 23 May 2022 - and we are considering its findings carefully, alongside the actions and recommendations from all audit reports and the MBRRACE-UK confidential enquiries. Our expectation remains clear: that mothers and babies receive high-quality, person-centred maternity care, tailored to their needs, with quality and safety central to decision-making.
We are participating in the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ Race Equality Taskforce . The Scottish Government’s Senior Medical Officer for Maternity and Women’s Health is a member of the Taskforce, which will make recommendations for actions in maternity services to tackle the inequity in outcomes for pregnant women and babies from minority ethnic communities.
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 30 May 2022
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 1 June 2022
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the finding of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine report, Beds in the NHS, that, since 2010, 4,227 hospital beds have been taken out of active service in NHS Scotland.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 1 June 2022
