S6W-43785

Asked by: Ruskell, Mark (Scottish Green Party - Mid Scotland and Fife)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address any issues regarding the potential financial burden or loss of living-cost funding associated with the different Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) funding paths for modular routes of study, such as HNC/HND to degree progression courses, which are not currently recognised as one continuous matriculation.

Answered by Macpherson, Ben - Minister for Higher and Further Education

Eligibility for higher education student support is assessed by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) at the beginning of each separate course. Students progressing from an HNC or HND to a degree are therefore subject to a new assessment and there are existing funding pathways to support students who are progressing.

The outcome will depend on individual circumstances and what previous study they have undertaken and what financial support they have received.

S6W-43748

Asked by: Regan, Ash (Independent - Edinburgh Eastern)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms are in place to monitor, escalate and publicly report on the ongoing delivery of the 55 recommendations of the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland report, and how it ensures that workforce shortages, variability between NHS boards and incomplete quality assurance systems do not prevent the implementation of all 55 recommendations.

Answered by Minto, Jenni - Minister for Public Health and Women's Health

The publication of the final report in March 2025 on the Implementation of the Recommendations from the Review of Audiology Services in Scotland marked the conclusion of the national programme of work.

As set out in the final report, responsibility for ongoing monitoring of the implementation of the remaining Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland report now lies primarily with NHS Boards themselves via their Audiology Local Action Plans.

S6W-43712

Asked by: Mackay, Gillian (Scottish Green Party - Central Scotland)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support GP surgeries to (a) improve energy efficiency and (b) reduce their carbon footprint.

Answered by Gray, Neil - Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care

It is for individual NHS Boards to develop and implement plans to decarbonise their estates, including GP surgeries. The Scottish Government is contributing funding to support boards with this work.

The Scottish Government established the NHS Scotland Sustainability Action Programme to provide strategic oversight and support NHS Scotland to achieve their target of achieving net zero emissions by 2040 and aims for a net zero supply chain by 2045.

S6W-43833

Asked by: Gosal, Pam (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - West Scotland)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of (a) the prevalence of respiratory disease and (b) the number of emergency hospital admissions for respiratory conditions in the West Scotland region compared with national averages in each of the last five years.  

Answered by Minto, Jenni - Minister for Public Health and Women's Health

I refer the member to answer to questions S6W-43676 and S6W-43744 on 24 February 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Assessments of respiratory prevalence and emergency hospital admissions are produced and published by Public Health Scotland. These official statistics include data for every NHS Board area, as well as national level figures. The Scottish Government draws on these official statistics rather than undertaking separate board-level assessments.

Public Health Scotland data shows that respiratory conditions are a major contributor to unplanned hospital demand. Emergency inpatient activity accounts for almost half of all hospital admissions nationally, reflecting sustained pressure on acute services. Longer term projections indicate that unplanned acute inpatient admissions for respiratory conditions are expected to rise by around 23% between 2024 and 2034, confirming the growing burden of respiratory illness across Scotland. A link to PHS data can be found at: Projecting future demand for health and care services in Scotland (2024-2034) - Long term service demand projections in Scotland - Publications - Public Health Scotland.

The Scottish Government recognises these pressures and is taking action. We recently published the Foreword - NHS Scotland operational improvement plan - gov.scot, the Scotland's Population Health Framework - gov.scot and the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework - gov.scot in which we outline our shared, long-term vision for reforming and renewing health and social care services to ensure they are more sustainable, preventative, and equitable.

Our Respiratory care - action plan: 2021 to 2026 - gov.scot has supported national work to strengthen prevention, diagnosis, care and support for people living with respiratory conditions. Through the Centre for Sustainable Delivery, national pathways are being developed for severe asthma, COPD, sleep apnoea and interstitial lung disease. Work is also underway to improve access to pulmonary rehabilitation, a key intervention for people with chronic respiratory conditions.

This work supports resilience across the health system throughout the year, including during periods of increased pressure. Prioritising prevention, early detection and supporting effective long term self-management helps reduce avoidable exacerbations which often drive urgent and unscheduled demand during winter.

S6W-43814

Asked by: Carson, Finlay (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Galloway and West Dumfries)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care has given to the role of a respiratory Modern Service Framework in reducing winter pressures on the NHS by simultaneously improving outcomes for long-term respiratory conditions and short-term respiratory illness such as flu.

Answered by Minto, Jenni - Minister for Public Health and Women's Health

I refer the member to answer to questions S6W-43695 and S6W-43745 on 24 February 2026. The Scottish Government is aware of calls from respiratory stakeholders in England for a Modern Service Framework focused on respiratory care. To clarify, the UK Government has not introduced such a framework. Modern Service Frameworks are being developed for major conditions such as cardiovascular disease and dementia, but respiratory conditions are not currently included.

The Scottish Government will continue to monitor emerging approaches from across the UK while taking forward our own long term, evidence informed approach.

The Scottish Government’s strategic direction for respiratory care is currently set through the Respiratory care - action plan: 2021 to 2026 - gov.scot. This work supports resilience across the health system throughout the year, including during periods of increased pressure. Prioritising prevention, early detection and effective long term management helps reduce avoidable exacerbations which often drive urgent and unscheduled demand during winter.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

S6W-43882

Asked by: Johnson, Daniel (Scottish Labour - Edinburgh Southern)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Central Legal Office has made an assessment of the reliability of the electronic patient records system used by NHS Scotland.

Answered by Gray, Neil - Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care

This is a matter for NHS Boards and Central Legal Office, the Scottish Government does not hold this information. I would encourage Mr Johnson to contact NHS National Services Scotland to request this information.

S6W-43834

Asked by: Gosal, Pam (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - West Scotland)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that respiratory health is prioritised nationally, including through the introduction of a Modern Service Framework for respiratory care.

Answered by Minto, Jenni - Minister for Public Health and Women's Health

I refer the member to answer to questions S6W-43695 and S6W-43745 on 24 February 2026. The Scottish Government is aware of calls from respiratory stakeholders in England for a Modern Service Framework focused on respiratory care. To clarify, the UK Government has not introduced such a framework. Modern Service Frameworks are being developed for major conditions such as cardiovascular disease and dementia, but respiratory conditions are not currently included.

The Scottish Government will continue to monitor emerging approaches from across the UK while taking forward our own long term, evidence informed approach.

The Scottish Government’s strategic direction for respiratory care is currently set through the Respiratory care - action plan: 2021 to 2026 - gov.scot. This work supports resilience across the health system throughout the year, including during periods of increased pressure. Prioritising prevention, early detection and effective long term management helps reduce avoidable exacerbations which often drive urgent and unscheduled demand during winter.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

S6W-43829

Asked by: Sweeney, Paul (Scottish Labour - Glasgow)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many mental health workers are currently employed in general practice, broken down by NHS board.

Answered by Gray, Neil - Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care

Mental Health Workers working in General Practice can be employed by either Health Boards or by GP practices.

S6W-43827

Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to ensure that communities retain meaningful opportunities to participate in decision-making on large-scale energy infrastructure proposals under the revised procedures for applications for energy consents.

Answered by McKee, Ivan - Minister for Public Finance

It is essential that communities are able to have their say on energy applications that affect them. For this reason, the Scottish Government worked with the UK Government on the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 to reform the energy consenting process in Scotland in ways that would strengthen communities’ opportunities for participation in the decision-making process.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43822 on 26 February 2026, the new reporter-led procedure following an objection from the relevant Planning Authority ensures that legitimate concerns will be fully evaluated in the most appropriate format.

The Act further granted the Scottish Ministers new powers to make pre-application consultation with communities mandatory and refuse applications if engagement has been inadequate.

The Scottish Government is developing our plans for these new regulation-making powers and, given the importance of stakeholder voices on this issue, we will consult on them later this year.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

S6W-43826

Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding applications for energy consents, what consultation it has undertaken with (a) planning authorities and (b) local communities regarding the removal of the automatic Public Local Inquiry trigger.

Answered by McKee, Ivan - Minister for Public Finance

Changes to the automatic Public Local Inquiry trigger for energy consent applications were consulted on by the UK Government in October and November 2024 as part of preparations for the then Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Details of the consultation outcome can be viewed at: Electricity infrastructure consenting in Scotland - GOV.UK.

This included engagement with planning authorities and opportunities for input from local communities through formal public consultation processes.

The Scottish Government intends to consult later this year on additional measures enabled by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 which are intended to further improve the efficiency of application processing.