In the context of the Young Patients Family Fund (YPFF), ‘reasonable overnight accommodation’ is defined as the most cost effective accommodation available. Health Boards have flexibility in relation to how much should be provided in each case but the costs provided should be reasonable in the circumstances.

In an effort to ensure claimants don’t routinely have to provide large amounts of money upfront to cover accommodation costs, the YPFF terms and conditions direct claimants to access Health Board visitor accommodation in the first instance. Where this is not available, private accommodation (e.g. hotel) can be booked and the fund’s terms and conditions direct the Health Board to book on behalf of the claimant where this is possible.

The provision and improvement of residential rehabilitation services for women and those with childcare responsibilities is one of the key focuses of the Scottish Government’s National Mission to improve and save lives impacted by substance use.

The Scottish Government promotes healthy living and encourages the reduction in alcohol consumption by highlighting the risks of drinking too much alcohol on the NHS Inform website.

Guidance from the Chief Medical Officer is clear that drinking more than 14 units per week for both men and women on a regular basis may increase a person’s risk of serious health conditions, including cancer. Cancers associated with excess drinking include cancers of the mouth, upper throat, larynx, oesophagus, breast, liver and bowel.

Prevalence of children living with a parent with hazardous or harmful drinking levels was published in the 2019 Scottish Health Survey Report, available here:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-health-survey-2019-volume-1-main-report/pages/7/. Scottish Government is working to update this analysis based on the latest published data from the Scottish Health Survey and I will write to the member as soon as the information is available and a copy will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib number 65497).

We are committed to ensuring those living with endometriosis are able to access the best possible care and support and that they benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put people at the centre of their care.

Through the Women’s Health Plan we are taking steps to support both women and health professionals to learn more about endometriosis, the symptoms and treatment options to improve the diagnostic process. Our Women’s Health Plan Final Report on progress provides further details of our work to date.

When developing the next phase of the Plan we will build on this progress and seek to ensure that all women receive a timely diagnosis for endometriosis together with access to the care and support that they need.

NHS Inform provides information regarding breast health, such as on the possible signs of breast cancer with recommendations to contact a GP with any concerns. All women aged 50-70 in Scotland are invited for breast screening every three years.

Evidence shows that the majority of breast cancers are diagnosed in women aged 50 and over. Women aged 71 and over can self-refer for breast screening, should they choose to. Information regarding the benefits of attending screening appointments is included in the invitation to screening appointments, as well as on NHS Inform.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

Following the introduction of the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, SPS took the decision to not seek to amend its mandatory drug testing policy to include testing for psychoactive substances. This was due to the continual changing compounds used within psychoactive substances and remains the position to date.

By working closely with partners such as Police Scotland, SPS must and does remain vigilant to the continuously evolving nature of drug use to ensure our use of technology and tactical measures remain current, adaptable, and capable of detecting and preventing drugs from entering our prisons; and we continue to consider what testing options may be most effective for the SPS to use.

SPS will continue to work with partners to prevent the introduction of contraband and seek convictions where appropriate.

The Scottish Government recognises the work being done by local services, including community and grass roots organisations, in supporting individuals affected by the physical and mental side effects of methadone use as an evidence-based first line treatment option.

To ensure local services are focused on the needs of people the Scottish Government continues to provide record levels of funding, particularly through our National Mission and through the implementation of our Cross-Government Plan which includes the implementation of the Medication Assisted Treatment standards and the launch in December of the Charter of Rights for people affected by substance use.

The Scottish Government has committed to full implementation of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards 1-10 in community and justice settings by April 2025, and for this implementation to be sustained by April 2026.

The implementation of the MAT standards is being supported and monitored by Public Health Scotland, who publish an annual benchmarking report each June. And the requirement for quarterly progress update reports to SG from local areas, against their Implementation Plan, is continuing.

In accordance with codes of practice and clinical guidelines, administration of methadone is usually supervised to ensure it is not misused. Supervised administration is in place for community pharmacies, justice settings and in third sector services, including homelessness settings.

NRS statistics on Drug Related Deaths published in 2024 show an increasing number of cases where Methadone is implicated. The statistics also show that poly-drug use is one of the most significant challenges faced by Scotland, with methadone included in poly-drug use.

However, through the implementation of the MAT standards, significant numbers of people on OST treatment are choosing to move onto long-acting injectable buprenorphine (brand name Buvidal). The Scottish Government continues to support the availability of Buvidal as a choice for people where its use is more clinically appropriate than methadone or other alternatives.