Thursday 22 December 2016

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

Communities Gillian Martin (Aberdeenshire East) (): To ask the Scottish Government what action has been taken to prepare Aberdeenshire for the possibility of winter flooding, and what lessons have been learned from the floods of winter 2015-16. (S5W-5442) Roseanna Cunningham: It is key that all partner organisations are prepared for any potential severe weather and/or flooding over the winter months. Resilience Partner organisations in the North of Scotland have been preparing for the winter period over the past few months to ensure they are adequately prepared to deal with any potential issues. During the winter of 2015-16, Resilience Partnerships and Community Resilience Groups across Scotland managed widespread impacts and disruption brought about by Storms Desmond and Frank which resulted in significant flooding and brief periods of power outages. Numerous incidents occurring over multiple geographic areas within a relatively short timescale tested activation and mobilisation of local resources and national assets. Lessons from these and previous similar events have been incorporated into table top scenarios that delegates from across the resilience community are challenged with during Scottish Government-run Crisis Management courses. Local Resilience Partnerships (LRP) continue to run a number of table top and live play scenarios within their own areas based on severe weather to test on-going preparedness. Grampian LRP multi-agency Flood Group met during the course of the year to further define responsibilities and escalation arrangements in event of severe weather over the coming winter season. On 24 October 2016, the Flood Group held a table top exercise in Inverurie, attended by all category 1 responders, which considered a range of relevant scenarios in order to ensure effective preparation and timely response to episodes of severe weather. Following the numerous debriefs carried out to review the winter storms by Resilience Partnerships and Community Resilience Groups, a special Quarterly Lessons Report was published focussing on the lessons and good practice identified specifically in relation to these weather incidents. This report has been shared across Scotland and is being utilised to help develop and encourage preparedness within Resilience partnerships. This is in keeping with the already established National Debriefing and Lesson Protocol we have in place across Scotland which enables us to identify, share and learn lessons from major incidents. It is crucial that members of the public also understand flood risk and take the necessary actions to protect themselves, their property or their businesses. People should check their flood risk and prepare for flooding by monitoring SEPA’s Floodline website and signing up to get Floodline warnings direct to a mobile phone. The new Flood Re initiative also offers and promotes affordable flooding insurance for households. More information about Flood Re is available at: http://www.floodre.co.uk/. In addition, the Scottish Government’s annual preparedness campaign, Ready Scotland, provides the public with a range of advice and information on preparing for winter weather. Further information is available at www.readyscotland.org.

Economy Richard Lochhead (Moray) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the final report by the European Commission’s Agricultural Markets Task Force. Holding answer issued: 12 December 2016 (S5W-5034) Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government has welcomed the final report by the European Commission's Agricultural Markets Taskforce as a further attempt to strengthen farmers' position in the food supply chain. We will now consider the recommendations in detail and discuss their relevance with stakeholders.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (): To ask the Scottish Government how much funding Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has received in each of the last five years, and how much of this SNH allocated to its biodiversity strategy priorities each year. Holding answer issued: 16 December 2016 (S5W-5254) Roseanna Cunningham: The funding, in terms of cash Grant-in-Aid, that Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has received from the Scottish Government in each of the last five years is set out in the table below. I have asked SNH’s Chief Executive to write to the Member to provide details on how much of this funding the organisation has allocated to its biodiversity strategy priorities in each year as this is an operational matter. Year Total cash funding received1 2011-12 £ 57.169m 2012-13 £ 53.270m 2013-14 £ 50.998m 2014-15 £ 53.071m 2015-16 £ 50.486m 2016-17 (Planned) £ 45.470m 1 Figures take into account in-year budget transfers and spend profile adjustments.

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many urban foxes there have been in each year since 2011. (S5W-5446) Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. The Urban Fox Populations in Scottish Towns and Cities (2006) report is the most recent survey to have been carried out. The full report can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/06/22104748/0

Maurice Golden (West Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the original coverage area of native Caledonian woodland it considers is the optimum to be restored. (S5W-5473) Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is taking action on improving the condition of Scotland’s Native Woodlands including Caledonian woodland through its commitments in the Scottish Biodiversity 2020 Route Map. There is not a specific target or stated optimum level of native Caledonian woodland restoration.

Maurice Golden (West Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to carry out a full and unified survey of all marine birds on land and within Scottish waters. (S5W-5474) Roseanna Cunningham: The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), Scottish Natural Heritage, and other partners are presently developing a proposal to undertake a full census of breeding seabirds. In addition, the JNCC are developing a UK wide marine biodiversity monitoring strategy for consideration by the Scottish Government and other UK administrations. This will include the monitoring of marine birds.

Maurice Golden (West Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with animal charities regarding gifting animals at Christmas, and what action it is taking to educate the public on this issue. (S5W-5477) Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has discussed animal welfare with stakeholder organisations throughout 2016, but there have been no specific discussions on the gifting of animals at Christmas. Independent animal charities, such as the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Dogs Trust, have issued a seasonal reminder that pets are not suitable gifts. The Scottish Government endorses the view that owning an animal entails a lifetime welfare commitment and that all animals should go to permanent, loving homes.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the possible impact on jobs in Scotland, what its position is on the proposed takeover of Sky by Fox News and whether it considers that there should be an inquiry into the proposal by OFCOM and the competition authorities. (S5W-5482) Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is committed to media plurality. A flourishing democracy needs diverse and independent voices across all media and a wide range of media outlets is vital to this. Processes that could have an impact on the diversity of voices in our media therefore should be very carefully looked at by the appropriate bodies. Such decisions can also affect the skills base and staffing levels within the media and can therefore impact on the quality of journalism. The Scottish Government would welcome scrutiny into the proposed takeover of Sky by 21st Century Fox by Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-00356 by Keith Brown on 17 November 2016, (Official Report, c. 2), when the agencies involved in developing the business case for the national manufacturing institute (a) have met and (b) will publish the case; what locations are being considered for the institute, and by what date it will be established. (S5W-5488) Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is working closely with Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Funding Council, Skills Development Scotland and Highlands & Islands Enterprise to develop the business case for the national manufacturing institute for Scotland. Officials meet regularly to take this forward, including work to better understand the private sector needs and demand and how best to maximise the economic impact of the institute, including possible locations. Wherever the institute is located, it will serve the whole of Scotland. This is a significant proposal with the potential to support step-changes in the efficiency and productivity of Scotland’s manufacturing sector. Decisions on its establishment and location(s) will depend on the business case, which will be published later this year.

Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to support the video games industry. (S5W-5504) Keith Brown: The Scottish Government provides support for the video games sector through its delivery partners - Creative Scotland and Scottish Enterprise. Creative Scotland principally provides support for Scotland’s video games industry through two main routes - firstly through support for projects that fit the criteria of its Open Project Funding and secondly through its Creative Industries Strategy (http://www.creativescotland.com/resources/our- publications/plans-and-strategy-documents/creative-industries-strategy-2016-17). This strategy works across all 16 sub-sectors of the creative industries, including video games, and makes low-cost targeted interventions that are designed to grow sustainable creative businesses across sectors or places. Scottish Enterprise have worked extensively with the games industry for a long period. In the last 4 years (to the end of 2015-2016) Scottish Enterprise has invested nearly £10 million (£9.8 million) in 38 video games companies of which more than half (£5.5 million) was through the Scottish Investment Bank and the remainder largely split between innovation grants and regional selective assistance.

Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many farmers it has asked to repay overpayments in each year since 2011, also broken down by Parliamentary constituency. (S5W-5545) Fergus Ewing: Information regarding overpayments is not available as Parliamentary constituency. The number of businesses that have been asked to repay overpayments is broken down per calendar year in the following table. Calendar Year Number of businesses 2012 86 2013 66 2014 651 2015 20 2016 320 Total 1143

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how much has been paid to Amazon in (a) Regional Selective Assistance and (b) other grants for each year since 2007. (S5W-5551) Keith Brown: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise (SE). I have asked the Chief Executive of SE to contact you with the information you have requested and my understanding is that this will be with you soon.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it requires recipients of (a) Regional Selective Assistance and (b) other grants to (i) adopt fair work practices and (ii) pay the living wage. (S5W-5552) Keith Brown: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise (SE). I have asked the Chief Executive of SE to contact you with the information you have requested and my understanding is that this will be with you soon.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government which companies in receipt of Regional Selective Assistance do not pay their employees the living wage. (S5W-5553) Keith Brown: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise (SE). I have asked the Chief Executive of SE to contact you with the information you have requested and my understanding is that this will be with you soon.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Quintiles regarding the possible relocation of jobs from Livingston. (S5W-5565) Keith Brown: The Scottish Government’s economic development agency, Scottish Enterprise (SE), has an account management relationship with Quintiles. As part of that engagement process, SE is aware that the company is currently in consultation with staff on potential changes to its Scottish operation. SE is engaging with Quintiles to explore all possible options for supporting the business and its workforce.

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses Highlands and Islands Enterprise has supported in each of the last 10 years, broken down by the (a) amount of support provided and (b) percentage still operating. (S5W-5566) Fergus Ewing: This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). I have asked the Interim Chief Executive of HIE to contact you with the information you have requested and my understanding is that this will be with you soon.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-05398 by Keith Brown on 14 December 2016, when the vacancy will be advertised for the position of chief executive of (a) Highlands and Islands Enterprise and (b) the Scottish Funding Council. (S5W-5574) Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05397 on 19 December 2016. 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.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how much it spends on encouraging exports through its network of hubs in (a) the UK, (b) Europe and (c) the rest of the world. (S5W-5615) Keith Brown: Through its existing global network, Scottish Development International (SDI) provides a range of products and services to attract inward investment to Scotland and to support companies in Scotland seeking access international markets. As set out in answer S5W-03968 on 16 November 2016, SDI has allocated £30.3 million in 2016-17 to support these trade and investment activities in its UK, European and international locations. To complement the work being led by SDI, the Scottish Government has allocated £3.5m in 2016-17 for the development of the Innovation and Investment Hub programme. These hubs will play a critical role in attracting investment to Scotland, helping businesses to trade internationally, raising Scotland’s international profile and, crucially, protecting Scotland’s relationship with the EU. The Dublin Hub opened in January 2016 and is in its first full year of operating. It provides dedicated support to enhancing high-value economic, academic and innovation partnerships between Scotland and Ireland. The London Hub, which will open early in 2017, will bring together the Scottish Government, our enterprise agencies and VisitScotland under one roof and provide a ‘touch down’ and meeting space for Scotland’s businesses and other organisations. Plans for the Brussels Hub are being taken forward as part of wider post referendum planning. Plans to establish a Berlin Hub are currently in development and details will be made available in due course. 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

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government when there will be an expansion of hubs to encourage exporting beyond Europe. (S5W-5616) Keith Brown: Scottish Development International already provides a range of products and services to Scottish companies seeking to export through its existing global network of 29 field offices and over 200 exporting professionals. In response to global trade and investment opportunities, since 2012 SDI has expanded its presence to new locations in Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Canada, Brazil, China and India. Most recently, we announced grant funding of up to £400,000 to the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, to support new business-led trade missions and forge new trading alliances between Chambers both here and abroad. This will complement the work of SDI and contribute to our shared efforts to increase business exports and internationalisation activity.

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what financial savings it expects to be made by a single Scotland-wide board for enterprise and skills compared with retaining the existing separate boards. (S5W-5620) Keith Brown: In our report on phase one of the Enterprise and Skills Review we have committed to work with agencies and other partners to strengthen our enterprise and skills system by consulting on the strategic board, including the best distribution of functions between the agencies underneath it and the associated legislative requirements. Any savings that might arise would be consequential to that commitment.

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether the establishment and running costs of a single Scotland-wide board for enterprise and skills come from (a) the budgets of existing agencies or (b) a new funding source. (S5W-5621) Keith Brown: In our report on phase one of the Enterprise and Skills Review we have committed to work with agencies and other partners to strengthen our enterprise and skills system by consulting on the strategic board, including the best distribution of functions between the agencies underneath it and the associated legislative requirements. As part of this work, we will also consider what running costs would be required for this and how these costs will best be met.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the outcome of its enterprise and skills review, what it considers the advantages to be of a statutory board compared with a non-statutory Strategic Forum. (S5W-5631) Keith Brown: Our agencies and their staff already carry out excellent work and as Audit Scotland have noted, they have been successful in their respective roles, with clear strategies and good governance. However, we need to step up our performance to achieve our ambitions to rank in the top quartile of Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development countries for productivity, equality, wellbeing and sustainability. To achieve this aim, we believe that we need to increase coherence and focus by creating a single board which is able to facilitate greater alignment between the various agencies and simplify the system for the user while also enhancing and measuring the collective activity of these bodies against a set of shared outcomes.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether one of its ministers will chair the statutory board arising from its enterprise and skills review and, if so, who. (S5W-5632) Keith Brown: In our report on phase one of the Enterprise and Skills Review we have committed to work with agencies and other partners to strengthen our enterprise and skills system by consulting on the strategic board, including the best distribution of functions between the agencies underneath it and the associated legislative requirements. As part of this work, we will also consider who should chair the board.

Maree Todd (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the fifth supplementary to question SF5-00643 by the First Minister on 15 December 2016 (Official Report, c. 15), whether it will provide an update on discussions that it has had with the UK Government regarding plans to conduct ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Cromarty Firth. (S5W-5637) Keith Brown: In October Scottish Ministers wrote to the Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to reiterate that the Scottish Government should be formally consulted on all applications for Oil Transfer Licences in Scottish Waters. In addition Scottish Ministers have written to the Secretary of State for Transport requesting devolution of the responsibility for ship to ship oil transfer licensing. As a result of this correspondence, an initial meeting between officials of Marine Scotland and MCA took place on 13 December 2016 to discuss how the Scottish Government should be consulted on a revised Cromarty Firth application.

Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the evidence that it has received from stakeholders that supports the abolition of the Scottish Funding Council board. (S5W-5667) Keith Brown: The Scottish Government undertook a public call for evidence in relation to the Enterprise and Skills Review and all responses from organisations and, where individuals gave permission, have been published online at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Economy/EntandSkillsreview/callforevidenceresponses

Finance Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list all of the investors in the (a) Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, (b) new Dumfries , (c) new and (d) new Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service headquarters project, also broken down by the level of investment. (S5W-5610) Derek Mackay: Information on the investors and their share of the debt share in the (a) Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, (b) Dumfries and Galloway Royal Hospital, (c) Royal Edinburgh Hospital and (d) Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service headquarters project is available on the Scottish Government website from the following link: www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/12308/NPDhubPipelinepayments.

Health and Social Care Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02033 by Aileen Campbell on 11 November 2016, how much funding it will provide to each alcohol and drug partnership in 2016-17. Holding answer issued: 30 November 2016 (S5W-4749) Aileen Campbell: Funding for alcohol and drug treatment services is directed through NHS territorial boards, who determine the final allocation to ADPs from all the funds provided to them by the Scottish Government. Health Secretary Shona Robison set out to boards at the start of this year our expectation for boards to maintain support to ADPs in 2016-17 in order to provide the same level of services delivered in 2015-16.

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Scottish Conservatives and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how much was spent on child and adolescent mental health in 2015-16, also broken down by NHS board, and what percentage of (a) the overall (i) NHS and (ii) mental health budget and (b) each NHS board's budget this represents. Holding answer issued: 9 December 2016 (S5W-5018) Maureen Watt: Scottish Health Service Costs is published annually by ISD Scotland with the support of the Scottish Government. Published costs information for NHSScotland, including for child and adolescent mental health expenditure (Report R04LSX and SFR 8.3); mental health expenditure (Report R340) and total NHS expenditure (Report R300) can be found at: https://isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/Finance/Costs/.

Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board is spending on social care, also broken down by the amount spent in each year since 2007. (S5W-5330) Shona Robison: NHS Board accounts do not separately identify spending on social care, which prior to April 2016 was a function of Local Government. Since April 2016, NHS and Local Government have been jointly responsible for the delivery of health and care through Health and Social Care Partnerships. Total NHS investment in integration amounts to £380 million in 2016-17 and, as set out in the Draft Budget for 2017-18, will increase to £487 million next year. In 2016-17, NHS Territorial Boards contributed £250 million to Health and Social Care Partnerships to support the delivery of improved outcomes in social care and deliver the Living Wage for social care workers. This is set out in the following table for each Territorial Board. Territorial Boards £000 Ayrshire & Arran 19,331 Borders 5,267 Dumfries & Galloway 7,597 Fife 16,832 Forth Valley 13,259 Grampian 23,030 Greater Glasgow & Clyde 59,354 Highland 15,279 Lanarkshire 31,493 Lothian 35,281 Orkney 1,073 Shetland 1,024 Tayside 19,536 Western Isles 1,644 Total 250,000

Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many district nurses each NHS board employs, also broken down by how many have been employed in each year since 2007. (S5W-5331) Shona Robison: A review of workforce data on community nursing staff categories, including District Nurses, was undertaken in 2014 to ensure more accurate and consistent reporting for these staff groups. All NHS Boards completed a full review of their community nursing staff following new coding guidance that had been developed and issued. Workforce data on District Nurses held prior to the completion of the review in 2014 is therefore not comparable with data from 2015 onwards. Information on the number of District Nurses employed by NHS Board as at 30 September 2015 and 30 September 2016 is published by ISD Scotland and is available in the following table:- Table 1. Number (whole time equivalent) of district nurses in post as at 30 September 2015 and 30 September 2016 Sep-15 Sep-16 NHSScotland 1,054.0 1,051.4 NHS Ayrshire & Arran 51.7 50.6 NHS Borders 29.2 26.7 NHS Dumfries & Galloway 22.6 22.9 NHS Fife 87.5 88.5 NHS Forth Valley 45.2 52.3 NHS Grampian 110.5 104.8 NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde 242.2 233.4 NHS Highland 88.8 96.8 NHS Lanarkshire 116.3 127.4 NHS Lothian 138.5 132.9 NHS Orkney 10.4 10.4 NHS Shetland 18.4 15.6 NHS Tayside 85.3 81.4 NHS Western Isles 7.6 7.8 Source: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS). Notes: 1. Includes district nursing staff on Agenda for Change band 6 and above only. For completeness, Table 2 shows the reported number of District Nurses employed by NHS Board from 2007 to 2014. This data is not comparable with data from 2015 onwards. Table 2. Number (whole time equivalent) of district nurses in post as at 30 September each year from 2007 to 2014 Sep-07 Sep-08 Sep-09 Sep-10 Sep-11 Sep-12 Sep-13 Sep-14 NHSScotland 443.4 445.1 515.1 652.9 677.4 712.5 706.7 716.9 NHS Ayrshire & Arran 52.4 48.0 50.6 53.4 51.2 53.2 61.0 57.3 NHS Borders 32.4 31.7 29.2 25.3 22.9 22.7 21.2 20.8 NHS Dumfries & Galloway 30.7 29.5 22.9 20.2 17.3 20.1 20.9 17.6 NHS Fife 2.0 5.5 10.0 10.0 57.4 62.9 66.1 83.2 NHS Forth Valley 58.2 60.1 57.4 54.2 49.3 47.3 52.8 51.9 NHS Grampian 43.4 38.5 36.7 38.7 36.5 86.5 83.1 88.0 NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde 20.7 28.7 27.0 169.4 160.7 152.2 153.0 142.7 NHS Highland 28.8 28.0 28.7 30.1 32.7 28.9 23.3 23.5 NHS Lanarkshire 94.0 82.9 95.2 94.0 85.5 85.7 84.6 81.2 NHS Lothian 12.2 20.8 77.8 83.7 81.6 79.6 74.8 77.6 NHS Orkney 1.0 3.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 NHS Shetland 0.6 0.6 0.7 1.0 10.2 10.6 14.1 NHS Tayside 56.6 52.4 63.5 59.6 68.4 52.0 44.8 50.7 NHS Western Isles 11.0 15.4 13.6 11.8 10.6 9.2 8.6 7.4 Source: Scottish Workforce Information Standard System (SWISS). Notes: 1. Includes district nursing staff on Agenda for Change band 6 and above only.

Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many consultants each NHS board employs on a 9:1 contract, also broken down by how many were employed on this basis in each year since 2007. (S5W-5332) Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally. Specific local information may be available from NHSScotland Health Boards.

Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many psychiatric care units there are, broken down by NHS board. Holding answer issued: 22 December 2016 (S5W-5335) Maureen Watt: The Inpatient Bed Census for mental health, addictions and learning disability identifies 95 NHS Scotland facilities containing wards covered by the census. Anyone with a mental illness can be treated in these wards. Undertaken in 2014 and 2016 the Inpatient Bed Census has provided detailed data that identifies the status of bed usage across Scotland and provides a basis for planning and development of future mental health services. The census shows a continuing reduction in the number of psychiatric inpatients, with more people being treated in a community setting or while living at home. This reflects the longer term shift in the provision of care from hospital based to community based and that bed occupancy was 85% - achieving the best practice figure set by the Royal College of Psychiatrists for provision in meeting need across Scotland. NHS Board Hospital NHS Ayrshire & Arran Ayrshire Central Hospital Crosshouse Hospital Arrol Park Resource Centre East Ayrshire Community Hospital NHS Borders Galavale Hospital Borders General Hospital Melburn Lodge NHS Dumfries & Galloway Allanbank Darataigh NHS Fife Whytemans Brae Hospital Queen Margaret Hospital Lynebank Hospital NHS Forth Valley Falkirk Community Hospital Bo’ness Hospital Stirling Community Hospital Lochview Hospital Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre Forth Valley Royal Hospital NHS Grampian Bennachie View Care Home Glen O’ Dee Hospital Inverurie Hospital Fraserburgh Hospital Seafield Hospital Rehabilitation Hospital Pluscarden Clinic 375 Great Western Lodge Elmwood NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Dumbarton Joint Hospital Vale of Leven Hospital Ravenscraig Hospital Inverclyde Royal Hospital NHS Board Hospital Royal Alexandra Hospital Larkfield Unit Blythswood House Royal Hospital for Sick Children Stobhill Hospital Mansionhouse Unit Rowantree Nursing Home Darnley Court Nursing Home Birdston Nursing Home Waterloo Close Netherton Rowanbank Skye House NHS Highland Argyll & Bute Hospital Migdale Hospital St Vincent’s Hospital New Craigs Hospital Inverness Mid-Argyll Community Hospital NHS Lanarkshire Monklands Hospital Cumbernauld Care Home Hatton Lea Care Home Airbles Road Centre Hairmyres Hospital Caird House Wishaw General Hospital NHS Lothian Royal Edinburgh Hospital Tippethill Hospital St John’s Hospital Ferryfield House Primrose Lodge Glen Lomond Camus Tigh Dunedin Craigshill Care Home Ellen’s Glen House Findlay House Midlothian Community Hospital Murraypark Nursing Home NHS Tayside Strathmartine Hospital Dudhope House Discovery Unit, Clement Park Care Home Whitehills Hospital Crieff Community Hospital NHS Board Hospital Kingsway Care Centre NHS Western Isles Western Isles Hospital State Hospital, Carstairs

Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board is spending on psychiatric care, also broken down by the amount spent in each year since 2007. (S5W-5336) Maureen Watt: Scottish Health Service Costs is published annually by ISD Scotland with the support of the Scottish Government. Published costs information for NHSScotland, including for general psychiatric services, can be found at: https://isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health- Topics/Finance/Costs/.

Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what the value of stolen medical equipment has been in each year since 2007, broken down by NHS board. (S5W-5337) Shona Robison: The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.

Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what the Scottish Ambulance Service emergency response time has been in each year since 2007, broken down by regional operational division. (S5W-5338) Shona Robison: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. Information on emergency ambulance response times, broken down by Board area can be found in the Scottish Ambulance Service annual reports, via the following link: http://www.scottishambulance.com/TheService/annualreport.aspx For emergency response times broken down by regional division I would suggest contacting the Scottish Ambulance Service Directly.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government whether the mother and baby inpatient units at (a) St John's and (b) Leverndale Hospital have had to turn people away in each year since 2011 and, if so, for what reasons. Holding answer issued: 22 December 2016 (S5W-5409) Maureen Watt: We expect that health boards and health and social care partnerships (HSCPs) will deliver mental health care and treatment in a person-centred manner to meet each individual’s needs. This would include mother and baby units at . The Scottish Government does not hold data on whether the mother and baby units at St John's and Leverndale Hospital have had to turn people away.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government how many mothers in each NHS board area have received mental health support outside of their board area in each year since 2011. Holding answer issued: 22 December 2016 (S5W-5410) Maureen Watt: Data on the number of mothers that have received mental health support outside of their board area is not held by the Scottish Government. However, the Scottish Government expect that health boards and health and social care partnerships (HSCPs) will deliver mental health care and treatment in a person-centred manner to meet each individual’s needs. In its Perinatal Themed Visit report in 2016, the Mental Welfare Commission made 13 recommendations to improve the recognition and treatment of perinatal mental health issues. One of these, to establish a national Managed Clinical Network, was for the Scottish Government, which we have agreed to. We will therefore fund the introduction of a Managed Clinical Network (MCN) to improve the recognition and treatment of mental health problems in the perinatal period.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government how many mothers have been separated from their babies in the course of receiving mental health treatment in each year since 2011. Holding answer issued: 22 December 2016 (S5W-5411) Maureen Watt: The Mental Welfare Commission report “Perinatal Themed Visit Report – Keeping Mothers and Babies in Mind” published 29 June 2016 contains a survey of all 43 Scottish General adult acute wards, 11 IPCUs and both mother and baby units from July to September 2015. 16 out of 44 mothers admitted during the survey did not receive care with their baby in one of the specialist mother and baby units. Data on how many mothers have been separated from babies in the course of receiving mental health treatment is not routinely collected in Scotland.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government what maternal mental health targets it has, and which NHS boards are meeting these. Holding answer issued: 22 December 2016 (S5W-5412) Maureen Watt: Scotland was first nation to introduce a waiting time target for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) services in the world, and was the first country in the UK to introduce a waiting time target for psychological therapies - this is an indication of how seriously we take this issue. All people in Scotland are included in these targets, so that would include maternal mental health. We expect that health boards and health and social care partnerships will deliver mental health care and treatment, this includes maternal mental health, in a person-centred manner to meet each individual’s needs. In its Perinatal Themed Visit report in 2016, the Mental Welfare Commission made 13 recommendations to improve the recognition and treatment of perinatal mental health issues. One of these, to establish a national Managed Clinical Network, was for the Scottish Government, which we have agreed to. We will therefore fund the introduction of a Managed Clinical Network (MCN) to improve the recognition and treatment of mental health problems in the perinatal period.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government at what capacity mother and baby inpatient units at (a) St John's and (b) Leverndale Hospital have been operating in each year since 2011, from which NHS board areas people were admitted during that period, and how many. Holding answer issued: 22 December 2016 (S5W-5414) Maureen Watt: Data on the capacity of mother and baby inpatient units at St John’s and Leverndale Hospital, and the NHS boards from which people were admitted, is not held by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government expect that health boards and health and social care partnerships (HSCPs) will deliver mental health care and treatment in a person-centred manner to meet each individual’s needs. In its Perinatal Themed Visit report in 2016, the Mental Welfare Commission made 13 recommendations to improve the recognition and treatment of perinatal mental health issues. One of these, to establish a national Managed Clinical Network, was for the Scottish Government, which we have agreed to. We will therefore fund the introduction of a Managed Clinical Network (MCN) to improve the recognition and treatment of mental health problems in the perinatal period.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide a substantive answer to question S5W-04749, which received a holding response on 30 November 2016. Holding answer issued: 21 December 2016 (S5W-5423) Aileen Campbell: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04749 on 22 December 2016. 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

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it would consider directing NHS boards to standardise and simplify the way that they respond to Freedom of Information requests on waiting times, so that comparisons between each NHS board can be made in relation to each speciality. (S5W-5434) Shona Robison: It is for individual Scottish public authorities to comply with their statutory obligations under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. One public authority cannot seek to direct how another public authority responds to Freedom of Information requests.

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Scottish Conservatives and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that continuous glucose monitoring is provided to all people with diabetes who need it. (S5W-5448) Aileen Campbell: Scottish Government works closely with the Scottish Diabetes Group, our national advisory group, to oversee and drive implementation of our Diabetes Improvement Plan (2014) to improve care and treatment for people living with diabetes in Scotland. The Plan includes a range of actions that aim to support improvements in glycaemic control, including the development of a national approach to the provision of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM). Our national approach has been developed taking account of the clinical evidence which recommends the use of CGM devices for a small number of people with diabetes as an aid to improve glycaemic control, but does not recommend CGM for routine use. Clinicians are best placed to provide specific advice and support to individuals, based on their circumstances, which can include the provision of CGM where a clinical need for one is identified. The national approach will support clinicians in the provision of this technology and ensure that those who would clinically benefit from it can receive it. To support this, we are investing over £10m over the term of the Parliament, to increase the provision of insulin pump therapy and CGM.

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Scottish Conservatives and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost benefits of using continuous glucose monitoring, and how much it estimates this technology saves the NHS by preventing, for example, eye disease, amputations and other health problems that can result from diabetes. (S5W-5449) Aileen Campbell: Diabetes accounts for around 10% of the health budget and it is estimated that 80% of these costs are for treating complications associated with diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy, foot ulcers (which can lead to amputation) and renal failure. Attaining good glycaemic control significantly reduces the risk of developing complications. The Scottish Diabetes Group’s national approach to CGM has been developed taking account of clinical evidence and all the costs associated with the treatment and management of diabetes. It is estimated that for those who would clinically benefit from CGM, the technology can support a reduction in cost to NHS Scotland of around £3,000 per person in relation to short term complications and will contribute towards reducing the costs in relation to longer term complications.

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Scottish Conservatives and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported concerns that some people with diabetes are unable to access continuous glucose monitoring through the NHS. (S5W-5450) Aileen Campbell: Scottish Government works closely with the Scottish Diabetes Group, our national advisory group, to oversee and drive implementation of our Diabetes Improvement Plan (2014) to improve care and treatment for people living with diabetes in Scotland. The Plan includes a range of actions that aim to support improvements in glycaemic control, including the development of a national approach to the provision of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM). Our national approach has been developed taking account of the clinical evidence which recommends the use of CGM devices for a small number of people with diabetes as an aid to improve glycaemic control, but does not recommend CGM for routine use. Clinicians are best placed to provide specific advice and support to individuals, based on their circumstances, which can include the provision of CGM where a clinical need for one is identified. The national approach will support clinicians in the provision of this technology and ensure that those who would clinically benefit from it can receive it. To support this, we are investing over £10m over the term of the Parliament, to increase the provision of insulin pump therapy and CGM.

Elaine Smith (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many ambulances, on arrival at Monklands District General Hospital, since the process to remove orthopaedic and trauma services commenced on 1 November 2016, were sent to another hospital. (S5W-5459) Shona Robison: NHS Lanarkshire advise that for the month of November (no validated data available for December as yet) there were no such diverts.

Elaine Smith (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs in the Central Scotland parliamentary region declared that they are no longer taking on new patients since the beginning of 2016. (S5W-5460) Shona Robison: The following number of practices by constituency in the Central Scotland parliamentary region have closed their patient lists under the GMS contract since the beginning of 2016. Patient lists are closed as an interim measure to allow Boards to working closely with the practices concerned to find solutions to maintain the delivery of high quality primary medial services in those communities. Constituency Number of Closed practices Airdrie and Shotts 0 Coatbridge and Chryston 0 Cumbernauld and Kilsyth 0 East Kilbride 1* Falkirk East 0 Falkirk West 0 Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse 0 Motherwell and Wishaw 4** Uddingston and Bellshill 0 Circumstances will arise where a practice experiences capacity issues and is unable to routinely accept new patients onto its list. We expect Health Boards to work with practices as constructively and as flexibly as is appropriate to help manage the situation and ensure that all patients have access to GP services. * Now open ** One now open

Elaine Smith (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have been sent to Wishaw and Hairmyres hospitals from Monklands District General Hospital since the process to remove orthopaedic and trauma services commenced on 1 November 2016. (S5W-5461) Shona Robison: NHS Lanarkshire confirm that for the month of November (no validated data is available as yet for December) 42 patients have been sent to Wishaw and Hairmyres Hospitals as a result of the interim measures. The Health Board had predicted that an average of 117 patients a month would be transferred under the interim measures; they will continue to carefully monitor activity.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been assessed for deep brain stimulation surgery at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in 2016. (S5W-5462) Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government how many deep brain stimulation procedures have been performed at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in 2016. (S5W-5463) Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05462 on 22 December 2016. 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.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have been referred for assessment for deep brain stimulation surgery to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital from NHS boards outwith the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area since April 2016. (S5W-5464) Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05462 on 22 December 2016. 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.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government how many people residing in Scotland have received deep brain stimulation surgery in hospitals in (a) , (b) Edinburgh and (c) centres in England since 2011. (S5W-5465) Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05462 on 22 December 2016. 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.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are in place for providing long-term support to people resident in Scotland who have previously received deep brain stimulation surgery in (a) Dundee, (b) Edinburgh and (c) centres in England. (S5W-5466) Shona Robison: The receiving centres of excellence in England are responsible for the surgical care of patients referred from Scotland for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. Otherwise, the referring NHS Board remain responsible for the healthcare of their local population, including those who require DBS (as clinically-determined).

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government what progress there has been in implementing an early glycaemic intensification strategy for people with diabetes, as outlined in its 2014 Diabetes Improvement Plan. (S5W-5467) Aileen Campbell: Our Type 1 subgroup of the Scottish Diabetes Group (SDG) has reviewed early intensification strategies and evaluated the outcomes. A national curriculum is being developed, outlining what patients newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes should understand at set checkpoints. This will include lesson plans and support materials. This will link with the creation of a ‘national expectations of care’ document which will include the setting of early glycaemic targets.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government what progress there has been in implementing a national improvement programme to increase the proportion of people with type 1 diabetes with optimal glycaemic control, as outlined in its 2014 Diabetes Improvement Plan. (S5W-5468) Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Diabetes Group (SDG), our national advisory group and its subgroups have agreed national glycaemic levels and have been holding quality improvement meetings to promote and share good practice throughout our diabetes communities in order to achieve these. Further to this, work is progressing to develop early intensification strategies and new national structured education packages for people newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The Scottish Government has increased the number of insulin pumps to over 3,200 since 2010 supported by funding of £7.5m. This represents an almost fourfold increase against the baseline figure of 696 in December 2010. The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP recently announced that the Scottish Government would invest £10m during the lifetime of this Parliament, to further increase the provision of insulin pump therapy and Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM).

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government whether people with diabetes are accessing structured education at 12 months post- diagnosis, as outlined in the 2014 Diabetes Improvement Plan and, if so, how this is measured. (S5W-5469) Aileen Campbell: People with diabetes access structured education through NHS Health Boards. Our Diabetes Improvement Plan 2014 supports people with diabetes to self-manage their condition through the provision of timely information and advice. We continue to build on this work by funding a range of high quality person-centred structured education programmes delivered by appropriately trained healthcare professionals within 12 months for those diagnosed with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. We have recently introduced quarterly reporting that NHS Boards use for monitoring the timely delivery of structured education.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that people with diabetes who require an insulin pump have timely and appropriate access to them, as outlined in the 2014 Diabetes Improvement Plan. (S5W-5470) Aileen Campbell: In February 2012, the Chief Executive Letter (CEL 04 (2012)) required Health Boards to increase insulin pump therapy in line with national clinical guidance. The commitment to provide insulin pump therapy to 25% of under 18s and for people of all ages with type 1 diabetes to more than 2,000 was met by 1st April 2015 supported by £7.5m of Scottish Government funding. Since the CEL, the number of people with insulin pumps has increased to over 3,200. Following the achievement of CEL 04 (2012) the Minister for Public Health, Maureen Watt, wrote individually to all NHS Boards in June 2015. The letter highlighted the importance of consistent delivery of insulin pump therapy as part of diabetes management. It also asked NHS Boards to make sure that people who are clinically suitable are identified and initiated onto pump therapy at the earliest opportunity. The additional investment of £10m recently announced will support NHS Boards in meeting those expectations.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the success of the Diabetes - think, check, act initiative. (S5W-5472) Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government works closely with the Scottish Diabetes Group (SDG), our national advisory group, to oversee and drive implementation of our Diabetes Improvement Plan (2014) to improve care and treatment for people living with diabetes in Scotland. The Plan includes Inpatient Diabetes as a priority. Supporting this priority, the development of “Diabetes - Think, Check, Act” has been led by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. The Scottish Government and SDG have followed progress closely. Monitoring of the project across pilot sites in NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has demonstrated success with a reduction in the rate of hypoglycaemia and an increase in the rate of hypoglycaemia resolution. This has led to reductions in length of stay, improved patient experience and safer care. Based on this success, completion of the project is ongoing, with development of a toolkit which includes a range of resources, including e-learning modules for healthcare professionals, to be used to spread the initiative across Scotland.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S5W-04565 by Shona Robison on 22 November 2016, whether everyone who is considered clinically suitable for this treatment will have access to it at facilities in Scotland. (S5W-5484) Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04565 on 21 November 2016. 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.

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the implementation of the living wage for private sector care workers delivering services for local authorities can be sustained beyond 2017-18. (S5W-5485) Shona Robison: As part of the 2017-18 draft budget, we have shown our commitment to the social care sector by announcing a further £100 million to be made available to Integration Authorities to support sustainability in the sector and continued delivery of the Living Wage to adult care workers. Within this settlement we have included a number of assumptions such as employer costs and assumed no provider contribution in 2017-18, this will support partnerships and private and voluntary sector providers to be able to implement this commitment sustainably. This was based on a one year Spending Review. Further support for delivering the Living Wage will be discussed as part of next years budget.

Liam Kerr ( Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how long an appointment with a GP should take. (S5W-5495) Shona Robison: GP appointment and consultation arrangements are not regulated and are for each individual practice to determine but in general most practices book patients at 10 minute intervals. The actual length of a consultation will vary depending on the healthcare needs of the individual patient and will be a matter of professional judgement for the GP. Where patients are required to have a longer consultation the GP may request that the patient attend for a double appointment.

Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many young people have (a) requested and (b) been provided with continuing care in each year since 2014, broken down by local authority. (S5W-5516) Shona Robison: We do not yet have detailed information on the number of young people who have requested continuing care but I understand that initial uptake has been less than the anticipated 74 per annum. The entitlement to Continuing care came into force on 1 April 2015 so we will shortly embark on a check across all Scotland’s local authorities to clarify numbers in the year post implementation. The first full year of data on Continuing Care will be collected in 2017-18 and depending on data quality, published from 2019 in the annual National Statistics publication Children’s Social Work Statistics.

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to establish a national independent commission on social care funding. (S5W-5527) Shona Robison: Our draft Budget for 2017-18 provides for an additional £107m, bringing the total support available from the NHS through Integration Authorities to protect social care to £357m. In addition, we have committed to work with local authorities, providers, disabled people and other partners to deliver reform to adult social care, beginning with work to reform the National Care Home Contract, and looking at the funding and delivery of Care at Home.

Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04917 by Shona Robison on 7 December 2016, whether it will publish the guidance that suggests there is insufficient evidence regarding the use of MRI scans to detect metastatic disease in these cases, and what its response is to this practice being made available in England. (S5W-5538) Shona Robison: In matters relating to ocular melanoma, the Scottish Government relies on the clinical expert advice of the National Specialist Scottish Ophthalmic Oncology service, whose advice is that there is currently insufficient evidence on the benefits of the use of MRI scanning for the detection and treatment of metastatic disease in people with ocular melanoma.

Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that NHS Dumfries and Galloway expects to make a spending reduction of £19 million over the next year. (S5W-5541) Shona Robison: NHS Dumfries and Galloway presented a draft Financial Plan for 2017-18 at their Board meeting on 5th December 2016. This included £19 million of efficiency savings as part of an overall plan to deliver financial balance. These savings are not about a reduction in spending, as all savings are retained locally for reinvestment in frontline services. Following the Draft Budget announced in Parliament on 15th December 2016, NHS Dumfries and Galloway has an indicative allocation of £284.9m for 2017-18, an increase of £5.5m which includes a £4.2m (1.5%) increase to baseline funding. Boards are rightly required to continually assess their expenditure of public funds to ensure the delivery of best value and make the most effective use of funding for the benefit of patients. The combination of increases in funding and retention of savings will ensure that priorities are safeguarded.

Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the use of locum consultants in NHS Dumfries and Galloway. (S5W-5542) Shona Robison: Under the Scottish Government the number of Medical and Dental Consultants in NHS Dumfries and Galloway has increased by 18.5% from 89.0 to 105.5 WTE. NHS Dumfries and Galloway are being supported in their efforts to market the NHS Board as an employer of choice for medical and dental staff through an active social media campaign and targeted recruitment. They are also actively encouraging any medical locums to take up substantive posts within NHS Dumfries and Galloway and this has resulted in appointments to previously hard to fill posts in Radiology and Haematology. In order to reduce the reliance on temporary agency staff, the Scottish Government and NHS National Services Scotland have launched a nationally coordinated programme for the effective management of all temporary staffing. The team are working to establish Regional and National Staff Banks to allow boards access to a high quality, flexible, workforce of appropriately qualified, experienced and competent staff when required, who work on NHS contracts and provide better value for money than alternative methods of filling the gaps.

Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what improvements have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot disease since 2013. (S5W-5555) Aileen Campbell: Our Diabetes Improvement Plan (2014) through the Scottish Diabetes Foot Action Group (SDFAG) aims to improve the awareness of foot care to reduce the number of people developing avoidable ulcers and prevent the risk of limb amputation. Our SDFAG is leading on a number of work streams to achieve the aims such as, putting greater emphasis on preventative care by campaigning to reduce the incidence of new diabetic foot ulcers developing in hospital, and education programmes for staff. Furthermore, a new antibiotic guidance has been developed and the National Diabetic Foot Risk Stratification and Triage system updated. Incidence of foot ulcers are included within NHS Boards quarterly reporting and recent updates to SCI- Diabetes will support improved monitoring of diabetes foot disease.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government when the next cancer patient experience survey will be carried out. (S5W-5568) Shona Robison: Our cancer strategy, Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action, contains a commitment to support and fund a National Cancer Patient Experience Survey, keeping under review how best to measure what matters to people with cancer and ensuring appropriate action is taken on results. The timing of the next cancer patient experience survey will be confirmed in due course. Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how often the cancer patient experience survey is carried out and what plans it has to increase the frequency of this. (S5W-5569) Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05568 on 22 December 2016. 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

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what the average time in Scotland is for diagnosis of a brain tumour, and how this compares with the rest of the UK. (S5W-5570) Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally.

Learning and Justice James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed closure of Jobcentre Plus offices in Glasgow will have on vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the city. (S5O-517) Jamie Hepburn: In advance of the conclusion of the DWP’s consultation on this issue, we don’t yet know the impact of the UK Governments proposed closures will have on vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Glasgow. However, we are particularly concerned that the Department for Work and Pensions has not given sufficient consideration to this matter. We believe it could be more difficult for people to access Jobcentre Plus services in the city and travel costs for those required to register unemployed on a weekly or fortnightly basis could increase. Disabled people and those without access to internet services could be particularly disadvantaged by the changes. Given the challenges Glasgow faces in terms of unemployment levels – particularly in its most deprived areas, I am pressing UK Ministers to reconsider these proposals, and to consult properly, not just in Glasgow, but across the whole of Scotland.

Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent deaths from drowning. (S5O-518) Annabelle Ewing: The Scottish Government takes this issue very seriously, and has provided £104,000 this year to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents to continue to deliver its annual Home and Water Safety programme. RoSPA’s Water Safety Scotland group engages with partners to develop a consistent approach to the prevention of drowning, water related deaths and unintentional injuries in and around water. The Scottish Government supports the aims of this group and has arrangements in place to share its messages on water safety via our social media channels. Water Safety Scotland is currently developing a Scotland-specific response to the National Water Safety Forum's "UK National Drowning Prevention Strategy", which aims to reduce accidental drowning rates in the UK by 50%. I understand that Water Safety Scotland plans to consult on its “Scottish Response” in March 2017. The Scottish Government will consider this document carefully when it has been finalised after the consultation period.

Peter Chapman (North East Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many college places have been made available in the North East Scotland region in each year since 2005, broken down by local authority area. Holding answer issued: 12 December 2016 (S5W-5087) Shirley-Anne Somerville: FTEs (Full-Time Equivalents) at North East Scotland College by Local Authority of residence

LA Aberdeen Aberdeenshire Angus Dundee Other Total

2005-06 127 1,312 10,083 3,988 4,599 57

2006-07 149 1,660 10,795 4,260 4,678 49

2007-08 130 104 1,534 10,897 4,273 4,857

2008-09 138 1,341 10,252 4,055 4,653 64

2009-10 141 1,561 10,575 4,111 4,699 63

2010-11 126 1,245 10,334 4,247 4,688 27

2011-12 147 1,306 10,038 3,919 4,622 43

2012-13 132 1,105 9,210 3,554 4,381 38

2013-14 178 1,327 9,610 3,707 4,345 53

2014-15 198 899 9,431 3,942 4,354 39 Source: Scottish Funding Council (SFC) FTE includes SFC and ESF (European Social Fund) funded places. LA is based on students postcode prior to study FTEs (Full-Time Equivalents) at Dundee and Angus College by Local Authority of residence

LA Aberdeen Aberdeenshire Angus Dundee Other Total

2005-06 2,631 3,704 1,155 7,668 35 144

2006-07 2,597 3,870 1,087 7,739 38 147

2007-08 2,698 3,861 1,037 7,777 41 139

2008-09 2,763 3,943 1,100 8,015 53 155

2009-10 2,843 4,004 1,164 8,176 25 140

2010-11 2,843 4,086 1,140 8,273 34 171

2011-12 2,830 3,711 1,220 7,934 34 139

2012-13 2,634 3,647 1,052 7,513 37 143

2013-14 2,709 3,664 1,013 7,552 36 129

2014-15 2,627 3,925 968 7,748 66 162 Source: Scottish Funding Council (SFC) FTE includes SFC and ESF (European Social Fund) funded places. LA is based on students postcode prior to study

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent analysis by the Chartered Management Institute, which indicates that the gender-pay gap in Scotland for managerial positions is the highest in the UK, what action it will take to bring the gender-pay gap for these positions in line with that of the rest of the UK. (S5W-5496) Jamie Hepburn: The official source for UK earnings estimates is the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) published by Office for National Statistics. The latest information for 2016 was published on 26 October 2016. The long-term trends in relation to the gender pay gap in Scotland are positive. The most recent estimates of gender pay gap sourced from the ASHE data (based on full-time median hourly earnings excluding overtime) show that the gender pay gap in Scotland has decreased from 7.7% in 2015 to 6.2% in 2016. The gap in the UK stands at 9.4%. However, there is clearly still more to do, particularly for Managers, Directors and Senior Officials in Scotland where the gender pay gap, for full-time median hourly earnings excluding overtime stands at 19.8% (based on the ASHE). We are working hard to address the complex drivers and causes of the pay gap. We continue to fund the 'Close the Gap' partnership to encourage and work with employers to enable actions to address the gender pay gap. Under the Programme for Government we have committed to almost double the level of free childcare for three and four year olds by 2020; we know that women are disproportionately likely to be in low paid jobs so we actively promote the living wage and currently have 690 employers signed up for accreditation with a target of 1,000 by Autumn 2017. We have brought more transparency to pay issues by lowering the threshold for public authorities in Scotland to publish their pay gap. We also support fair work practices, including flexible working, which can be crucial in helping women and men combine career development with family responsibilities. We have also established a Returner’s Project, initially in the Science sector, so that women can get help updating skills and knowledge and assistance in entering a traditionally male job and so employers can retain skilled staff after a career break.

Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what rights to support (a) Work First Scotland and (b) Work Able Scotland will have, and how these rights will be ensured. (S5W-5548) Jamie Hepburn: Both Work First and Work Able have eligibility criteria, and key indicators and standards will determine the level of service every customer should receive, such as integrated skills and health support according to individual needs. These will be underpinned by the quality assurance processes set out in detail in the response to Parliamentary question S5W-05519 on 20 December 2016. The groups set out below will be eligible for Work First and Work Able support. Work First customers must:- be of working age; have a recognised disability (as defined by the Equalities Act 2010) that means they find it hard to get or keep a job; cannot be helped through other existing DWP provision; require support in work as well as help with finding work; have in work support requirements which cannot be overcome through workplace adjustments required under the Equality Act and/or Access to Work support; and be assessed by the JCP Work Coach as being able to enter work for a minimum of 16 hours within 26 weeks with the possibility of extending this to 34 weeks in some cases. Work Able customers should be:- 18 years and over; not in employment; in receipt of Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit equivalent; and be assessed as capable of progressing into work within a 12 month period and want to work. 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

Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what it anticipates the per-head spending will be on the (a) Work First Scotland and (b) Work Able Scotland programme, and how this compares to per-head spending on the same types of participants on the UK Work Programme and Work Choice schemes. (S5W-5549) Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government are committed to delivering value for money within both the Work First Scotland and Work Able Scotland programmes. Actual spend per head on individuals engaging on both programmes will be based on a range of factors once both programmes commence in April 2017. However the anticipated spend per–head for those supported through Work First Scotland will be £4,231.20. Contracts have not yet been awarded for Work Able Scotland but the pricing model offers a maximum unit cost of £3,250 (£3,500 in rural areas). Direct comparisons between Work First Scotland and Work Able Scotland and previous DWP employment programmes are not possible due to the different structure, payment model and client groups within the transitional Scottish Programmes.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government, in light of information provided by the UCATT trade union concerning the actions of employers on flagship public infrastructure projects, including denial of trade union access to speak freely to workers and wage exploitation of migrant workers, what its position is on the effectiveness of its fair work policy. (S5W-5595) Keith Brown: We share the vision of the Fair Work Convention that 'by 2025, people in Scotland will have a world-leading working life where fair work drives success, wellbeing and prosperity for individuals, businesses, organisations and society.’ We would undoubtedly be better able to realise this vision more easily if we had the full set of powers around employment law, as the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has called for. So in the absence of such powers we will continue to utilise all the levers at our disposal to make the case to employers in the public, private and third sectors of the benefits of fair work. We already have 299 employers signed up to the Business Pledge, 694 Scottish Living Wage accredited companies and the highest proportion of employees paid the Living Wage or more of all four UK countries. And while there is progress we recognise that there remains challenges for business and employers. We will therefore continue to support the work of the Fair Work Convention in promoting their Fair Work Framework, and through our public contracts we will continue to encourage public bodies to promote fair working practices for those who work on public contracts through our statutory guidance on 'Addressing Fair Work Practices, including Living Wage, in Procurement'. Finally, we fully recognise the benefits to employees and to business of strong, effective and modern industrial relations. We have committed £2.2 million to support trade unions in accessing skills and lifelong learning opportunities that contribute to collective prosperity, fairness and equality for workers across Scotland and a further £250,000 to help to support Trade Unions to mitigate the negative impacts of the UK Trade Union Act and to help unions to embed the Fair Work Framework in workplaces across Scotland.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed new Scotland-wide board arising from its enterprise and skills review will have (a) a chief executive and (b) other support staff and, if so, what the estimated cost is. (S5W-5630) Keith Brown: In our report on phase one of the Enterprise and Skills Review we have committed to work with agencies and other partners to strengthen our enterprise and skills system by consulting on the strategic board, including the best distribution of functions between the agencies underneath it and the associated legislative requirements. As part of this work, we will also consider what support staff are required to properly support the new board to deliver its functions.

Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to engage further with pupils in secondary schools to provide more education regarding psychoactive substances. (S5W-5674) Shona Robison: The recent SALSUS report (published 25 October 2016) shows that drug taking among young people in Scotland remains low. Education and prevention is a key strand of Scotland’s drug strategy, the ‘Road to Recovery’, and is integral to our approach to reducing the number of people with problem drug use in Scotland. Our ambitious substance misuse education programme already ensures that all young people have credible and accessible information and advice, and through our ‘Know the Score’ website and ‘Choices for Life’ secondary school education programme we have expanded our education campaign to include new psychoactive substances (NPS). We are now assessing current education and prevention activity across Scotland, including the findings from our recently published literature review, to understand what interventions are most effective. This will help us develop advice and guidance on effective substance misuse education and prevention activity for our stakeholders, practitioners and policy makers. We also commissioned the Scottish Drugs Forum to undertake research aimed at furthering our understanding around the prevalence, motivations and harms associated with NPS use amongst vulnerable groups within Scotland, including young people, and we are currently working with stakeholders to take forward recommendations from the report.

Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Sprinburn) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether Skills Development Scotland was given prior notification of the proposals by the Department for Work and Pensions to close eight job centres in Glasgow. (S5W-5704) Jamie Hepburn: Skills Development Scotland advise they had no prior notification of the job centre closures in Glasgow proposed by Jobcentre Plus.

Transport Scotland Maurice Golden (West Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out to identify communities in the West Scotland region that may be underserved by existing public transport options. (S5W-5476) Humza Yousaf: Identification of communities with no or inadequate public transport in the West of Scotland is under the responsibility of the local authorities and SPT who, through their Regional Transport Strategy, must take account of the differing strategic needs in the area and look opportunities to make improvements.

Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out or plans on the effect would of driverless cars being allowed on roads. (S5W-5502) Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government supports and encourages research, testing and development of autonomous vehicles in Scotland, subject to ensuring the safety of road users. Most of the relevant legislation is reserved to the UK Government and Transport Scotland is working closely with the Department for Transport and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles in this area. Transport Scotland is also liaising with other roads authorities across Europe on the introduction of driverless vehicles, in order to ensure that road authorities and operators are in a position to make informed decisions on facilitating automated driving as and when the technology develops.

Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what recent consideration it has given to dualling the A75. (S5W-5544) Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to questions S5W-00209 on 7 June 2016 and S5W-02818 on 22 September 2016. 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 The forthcoming review of the Strategic Transport Projects Review will assess recommendations for strategic transport infrastructure priorities in Dumfries and Galloway and the rest of Scotland. Within the review options for the A75 corridor between Gretna and Stranraer will be considered.

Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many additional miles of road it has built in Dumfries and Galloway in each year since 2007. (S5W-5547) Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has invested over £65 million in major trunk road improvements in Dumfries & Galloway since 2007, of which 10.6 miles are newly constructed road and 2.0 miles have been significantly improved or widened. A breakdown by year is provided in the following table. Year – Road Scheme Length of new trunk road Length of existing trunk road which has been Opened (miles) improved (miles) 2007 2008 1.7 2009 3.6 0.3 2010 1.5 2011 2012 2013 2014 5.5 2015 2016 Total 10.6 2.0

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will immediately implement the pay audit called for by the UCATT trade union in relation to the Forth Replacement Crossing, in light of the reports concerning a subcontractor engaging migrant workers. (S5W-5593) Keith Brown: There is no evidence to support the UCATT allegations regarding low pay. However, I have offered to ask ACAS to undertake further work in conjunction with Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC), Transport Scotland and UCATT to examine this and related issues. I have received confirmation from UCATT that they are supportive of my proposal and they have undertaken to write to me regarding the remit of this work.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government, what actions it has taken to investigate concerns raised by the UCATT trade union relating to reports of wage exploitation of migrant construction workers on the Forth Replacement Crossing project. (S5W-5594) Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05593 on 22 December 2016. 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

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to recent incidents that have been reported involving construction workers on the Forth Replacement Crossing, including the arrest of workers brought to Scotland illegally and the underpayment of migrant workers by a subcontractor on the project. (S5W-5596) Keith Brown: The individuals referred to were not employed directly by Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) but through a second tier labour only sub-contractor. The Home Office confirmed that the investigation was not directed at FCBC but related to a specific named subcontractor which was of interest to them. I wrote to the Home Office Immigration Minister on 23 November 2016 requesting assurances on what actions the Home Office were taking to address the issue of illegal foreign workers. I also had a follow up call regarding my concerns. I also refer the member to the answer to question S5W-05593 on 22 December 2016. 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

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding who is responsible for advising the DVLA when an HGV licence- holder is convicted of a so-called road-rage offence. (S5W-5612) Humza Yousaf: The conditions attached to the gaining and retention of drivers' licences is regulated by the Road Traffic Act 1988 and is a reserved matter for the UK Government. In the event an HGV driver is convicted of an endorsable offence, the Court will notify DVLA of the conviction. Where a conviction does not result in an endorsement (e.g. common assault), the holder of the Operator's Licence (the employer, or the individual in circumstances where the driver is self- employed), would be expected to notify the Traffic Commissioner. The Traffic Commissioner would expect to be informed of such a conviction given their responsibility for ensuring HGV drivers remain "fit by reason of conduct" to retain their HGV licence.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with The Highland Council regarding future financial support for the Corran Ferry. (S5W-5636) Humza Yousaf: The Ferries Plan (2013 – 2022) indicated that the Scottish Government is willing to assume responsibility for all lifeline ferry services in Scotland, including those operated by local authorities. Any such transfer of responsibility would be subject to Transport Scotland and the relevant authority reaching mutual agreement on the terms of a transfer. There was discussion in 2015 between The Highland Council and Transport Scotland regarding responsibility for the Corran Ferry. The Highland Council confirmed that they did not wish seek a transfer of responsibility at that time. Transport Scotland remain open and willing to discuss a potential transfer of responsibility for the Corran Ferry with The Highland Council. Alexander Burnett (Aberdeenshire West) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on high-visibility jackets or should straps being made mandatory for cyclists. jackets or shoulder straps being made mandatory for cyclists. (S5W-5668) Humza Yousaf: At present the wearing of high visibility clothing for cyclists is not mandatory and there are currently no plans to review or change this. However, high visibility clothing can play a role in preventing accidents, which is why we continue to work through Road Safety Scotland to promote the advice in the Highway Code on safe cycling, including encouraging cyclists to ensure that they are visible to other road users and take steps to safeguard themselves by wearing appropriate clothing.