Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-32084

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 23 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason bladder cancer was not focused on in its previous Detect Cancer Early Programme, and whether it will include this condition in any future initiatives.

Through the Scottish Government’s Detect Cancer Early (DCE) Programme a social marketing campaign – entitled Survivors - was launched in September 2018, to raise awareness of potential cancer symptoms, including those of bladder cancer. A roadshow also visited around 30 locations across Scotland in 2019 to engage people face-to-face and raise awareness of potential symptoms, including bladder cancer.

In 2013, the DCE Programme Board – a multi-disciplinary group from across NHS Scotland - considered how new tumour types might be introduced to the Programme. It was agreed that this would best be achieved by developing and applying a set of criteria against which additional tumour types could be scored objectively, based on evidence. This included evidence that early detection would improve 1 year and 5 year survival; ease of diagnosis; cost effectiveness of early detection; and the chance to improve quality of life, living well after treatment. Stakeholder engagement and clinical input to this process was key.

Detect Cancer Early (DCE), has traditionally focused on Scotland’s most common cancers – bowel, breast and lung – but has more recently supported innovative tests-of-change in melanoma and head and neck pathways following a robust options appraisal exercise.

The Scottish Government is committed to continuing to improve the survival rates of all cancers, including bladder, and will continue to work closely with the third sector to inform and shape future activity.

Question reference: S5W-32082

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 23 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address reported concerns that there is a lack of awareness of bladder cancer (a) among medical professionals, (b) in workplaces and (c) across the general public, which can lead to late or misdiagnosis and poorer outcomes, especially for women.

The Scottish Government Recognises the importance of cancer awareness - including that of bladder cancer - and have undertaken a number of actions to support this, including:

A clinical review of the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer, was completed, with updated guidance published early 2019. Eight pathways were included in the refresh including urology, which bladder cancer forms part of. The Guidelines support GPs in identifying patients who are most likely to have cancer, and therefore require urgent assessment by a specialist. Education events were held across Scotland, with support from Cancer Research UK & Macmillan Cancer Support, to raise awareness of the Guidelines and share referral best practice amongst clinicians.
Through the Scottish Government’s £44 million Detect Cancer Early Programme a new social marketing campaign – entitled Survivors - was launched in September 2018 to raise awareness of potential cancer symptoms, including those of bladder cancer. A symptom-checker tool was developed as part of the campaign to increase awareness and education of possible signs and symptoms.
During the COVID19 outbreak there were concerns that the public were staying at home with potential symptoms of cancer and other serious disease. The NHS is Open campaign, launched 24 April and concluded on 7 June, urged people to contact their GP or local hospital if they have urgent health worries.
A new Cancer Recovery Plan is being developed, with patients’ experience at the core, and is due for publication in Autumn. The plan will have an operational focus on diagnosis and treatment in cancer services, and will also focus on reducing the inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic, ensuring patients are receiving treatment equally across Scotland using a ‘Once for Scotland’ approach.

Question reference: S5O-04682

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 October 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what proposed changes have come from its review into international development programmes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Question reference: S5W-32412

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 October 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 20 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what communications Ministers have received regarding a bullying culture in local authorities.

The Scottish Government occasionally receives allegations of bullying and harassment within local government from individuals. However, as councils are independent corporate bodies responsible for the management of their workforces we have no power to investigate such allegations ourselves. Officials will refer those individuals to appropriate organisations for assistance. On rare occasions and, if the allegations are anonymous, details of an allegation may be referred to the Accounts Commission to consider in its scrutiny role and the council notified to ensure it is aware and takes appropriate action through their policies and practices.

We receive very few allegations and have no evidence of an endemic problem in local government. Where we are legally able to do so and have evidence of the need to intervene the Scottish Government will do so, such as amending the Councillors’ Code of Conduct to emphasise that bullying and harassment by Councillors is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Question reference: S5W-32165

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 20 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the development of Hillend junction following Transport Scotland's recent meeting with Midlothian Council.

Question reference: S5W-31868

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 2 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how much it will cost to implement the commitments set out in the Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland, and whether it will provide this funding.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that those living with respiratory conditions can access clinically appropriate, safe and effective person-centred healthcare treatment and support.

On 20 December 2019, the Scottish Government published the draft Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland for consultation. The consultation closed on 3 July 2020 and work is now underway to develop the final plan.

As we continue to develop and finalise the plan we will have a clearer understanding of funding required to deliver the Plan.

Question reference: S5W-32081

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 25 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 2 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the announcement that other NHS boards are to receive a similar service, when the anticipated thrombectomy service for Edinburgh and the east of Scotland will be (a) delivered to NHS Lothian and (b) functioning.

The Scottish Government is committed to introducing a thrombectomy service and recognises that thrombectomy procedures can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life for some people who have suffered an ischaemic stroke by avoiding or reducing the level of disability.

That is why the Programme for Government 2020 reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that a national planning framework is in place for a high quality and clinically safe thrombectomy service.

As set out in the Programme for Government, we expect a fully operational Thrombectomy service on the Little France site by 2023.

Question reference: S5W-31878

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 2 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-29736 by Clare Haughey on 18 June 2020, what the timeline is for the application process for the new Managed Clinical Network for National Child and Adolescent Learning Disability Services, and what progress has been made with the development of this process.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-30228 on 22 July 2020. 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/28877.aspx .

As outlined to the member in the answer to question S5W-30228 Scottish Government officials are currently working to identify, a project lead and Lead Clinician to establish a Steering Group and develop the specification and standards for a National Leading Disability CAMHS Clinical Network. Subject to progress and the recommendations of the Steering Group, an application to the NHS National Specialist Services Committee for National MCN designation will follow.

I would like to reassure the member that although the pandemic has slowed the pace of this work, this is an important area of work and identifying a project lead will be progressed in the coming weeks.

Question reference: S5W-31731

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 28 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what support it has provided to medical research projects in each year since 2007.

Details of the Scottish Budget have been made available online since 2004 and can be found on the Scottish Government website. The following address links to the most recent material: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/18127/Documents . Information specific to Health Research can be found in the supporting information of the published support documents.

The nature and detail of this financial support has evolved over time since 2007 as set out in successive 5 year strategies covering this period. Details are available on line and the most recent strategy can be found at the following address

http://www.nhsresearchscotland.org.uk/uploads/tinymce/Supporting%20Clinical%20Research%20in%20Scotland.pdf

Question reference: S5W-31729

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 25 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how many times ministers have requested that the parliamentary record be corrected in each year since 2007.

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