Found: Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Scottish Government, told the Scottish

Found: Neil Gray: Yes, I do.

Found: Scotland and the wider UK as a central part of the UK Government’s Clean Power Action Plan Indeed, Neil Gray

Found: RCGP Scotland notes that the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP, has confirmed

Found: In September the then Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy Neil Gray wrote

Found: energy Correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, Neil Gray

Found: For example, three weeks ago Neil Gray, the Wellbeing Economy Secretary, as he was at the time, and

Found: For example, three weeks ago Neil Gray, the Wellbeing Economy Secretary, as he was at the time, and

Found: I recall Neil Gray, the Cabinet Secretary, working together with the council leader last week around

Found: Letter from Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy at Scottish

Found: I think that people like Neil Gray, who is the Minister in the Scottish Government responsible for

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what are the dates of meetings the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has had since 5 July with her counterparts in the Scottish Parliament, Senedd Cymru, and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport met with Angus Robertson MSP on 31 July and 20 August 2024. She has not yet met with her counterparts in Senedd Cymru and the Northern Ireland Assembly since 5 July.

The Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth met with Maree Todd MSP on 9 September 2024; with Neil Gray MSP on 9 September and 16 September 2024; with Kate Forbes MSP on 19 November 2024; with Jack Sargeant MS on 16 September and 20 September 2024; and met with Gordon Lyons MLA on 8 October 2024. The Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism met with Minister Gordon Lyons MLA on 3 September 2024.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne

My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has been discussing the new United Kingdom-wide Tobacco and Vapes Bill with Neil Gray, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care for Scotland, and will send formal correspondence prior to its introduction. As the bill covers the whole of the UK, the Department will stay in close contact with all our devolved government counterparts, throughout the passage of the bill.

Department officials have engaged frequently with officials from Public Health Scotland, and the rest of the devolved governments, to help shape and develop proposals for new legislation. Each of the devolved governments, including the Scottish Government, are in support of a new and strengthened bill, and the benefits it will provide to the health of our nations. Once the bill has been introduced to the UK Parliament, the devolved governments will seek consent motions from their respective legislatures, including the Scottish Parliament.

@BambooSaviour @meljomur The FM has to be available as an MSP at Holyrood to answer questions and there’s no Holyrood election coming up. (Though it’s quite possible to move from Westminster to Holyrood as Neil Gray showed.)

Children who need Palliative Care APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: this was seconded by Catherine McKinnell MP: o Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP o Jonathan Lord MP o Neil Gray

Children who need Palliative Care APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: this was seconded by Catherine McKinnell MP: o Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP o Jonathan Lord MP o Neil Gray

Global Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Please find relevant text enclosed at Appendix 125 Universal Credit: Roll-out, 1st July 2019 Neil Gray

Children who need Palliative Care APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: McKinnell MP (Labour, Newcastle upon Tyne North Vice-Chairs • Sarah Champion MP (Labour, Rotherham) • Neil Gray

Women and Work APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Parliamentarians in attendance: • Jess Phillips MP • Gillian Keegan MP • Alison Thewliss MP • Neil Gray

Women and Work APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Jess Phillips MP Vice-Chairs: Caroline Flint MP Baroness Prosser Baroness Uddin Baroness Burt Neil Gray

Found: Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in the Scottish Government, Neil Gray said:  I am thrilled

Found: Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray, said: I welcome this long term strategic

Found: Neil Gray, the Scottish Government’s Health Secretary, said: It’s more crucial than ever that patients

Found: Neil Gray Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Scotland) I welcome the Department of Health

Found: International Development, the Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP , met with Scottish Government ministers Neil Gray

Found: Vaughan Gething MS, Scottish Government Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, Neil Gray

Found: Neil Gray, the Scottish Government’s Health Secretary, said: It’s more crucial than ever that patients

Found: International Development, the Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP , met with Scottish Government ministers Neil Gray

Found: On the 10 August 2023, Cabinet Secretary Neil Gray approved the further implementation of No One Left

Found: A Legislative Consent Memorandum related to this Bill was lodged on 2 April 2024 by Neil Gray, Cabinet

Found: A supplementary LCM was lodged on 3 April by Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.

Found: Professor Colin Smith: Neil Gray was supportive in a meeting but later wrote that Scottish National

Found: Deepthi Baby Assistant Private Secretary to Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care - Neil Gray

Found: redacted R.11(2)] Deputy Private Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care – Neil Gray

Found: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the appointment of Graham

Found: Neil Gray Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Scottish Government 4 PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTATION

Found: 10:39 From: [Redacted S.38(1)(b)][Redacted S.38(1)(b)]@gov.scot> Sent: 16 July 2025 10:39 To: Neil Gray

Found: The date the Cabinet Secretary Neil Gray MSP was told that vessel 802 would not represent value for money

Found: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the reappointment of

Found: 00Meeting / Video ConferenceBob Doris MSP, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, Sue Webber MSP, Annie Wells MSP, Neil Gray

Found: Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray

Found: for Pregnant Women 13 January 2025 Dear Alex, Thank you for your email of 10 December 2024 to Neil Gray

Found: Description of meeting 28 September 2022 Angus Robertson MSP, John Swinney MSP, Shona Robison MSP, Neil Gray

Found: 2025Parliamentary BusinessDecision Time22/01/2025Meeting / Video ConferenceAngela Constance MSP and Neil Gray

Found: From: Human Rights Office Sent: 29 April 2025 11:06 To: Human Rights Office Subject: Meeting with Neil Gray

Found: following information relating to the meeting between the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Neil Gray

Found: Agenda for Change Staff in NHS Scotland Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment September 2025Lead Minister: Neil Gray

Found: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the reappointment of

Found: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP, today announced the reappointment of

Found: The event is being held in the Garden Room at the Scottish Parliament and Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet Secretary

Found: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP, today announced the appointment of Neena

Found: Senior engagement: o Jan 2024, Scotland - Neil Gray, former Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy

Found: the meeting and follow up correspondence and action points pertaining to the meeting attended by Neil Gray

Found: b)] Purpose and Key Messages Purpose The meeting was arranged following letter s sent to Neil Gray

Found: • “Health Secretary Neil Gray recently met with Scottish Swimming to discuss the School Swimming

Found: Secretary for Health and Social Care Sòisealta  Rùnaire a’ Chaibineit airson Slàinte agus Cùram Neil Gray

Found: redacted S.38(1)(b)] Deputy Private Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care – Neil Gray

Found: information provided to attendees or officials, minutes, and any agreed actions: - Cabinet Secretary Neil Gray

Found: of the Electricity Market 09.01.2024– File note Attendees: First Minister, Mairi McAllan MSP, Neil Gray

Found: design_templatevideo_qualitypost_contentrepurposedvideo_styleduration thumbnail post_messagepost_message_case_insensitiveWellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray

Found: In line with the ministerial code, please provide me with the written permission obtained by Neil Gray

Found: I understand Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP and Neil Gray MSP met with the Equality and Human Rights Commission

Found: Deputy Private Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care – Neil Gray MSP Scottish

Found: The Herald leads with claims that ‘Neil Gray failed to act on early warning of NHS illegality in trans

Found: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP, today announced the appointment of Joni

Found: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the reappointments of

Found: which relate to SIC Decision Notice 133/2025.Please provide communications between Caroline Lamb and Neil Gray

Found: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the appointment of Giovanni

Found: As mentioned previously, the Committee would like to invite Cabinet Secretary Neil Gray to give oral

Found: Best wishes [Redacted] CEO, FDF Scotland 15 September 2023 Mr Neil Gray MSP

Found: In June 2024, Neil Gray asked for NHS Chairs and boards to "refocus their attention on delayed discharge

Found: equalityhumanrights.com John Swinney MSP First Minister Scottish Government By email only CC: Neil Gray

Found: Yours sincerely NEIL GRAY To: [redacted under reg 11 (2) – personal data] Subject: Your recent enquiry

Found: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the appointment of Ian

Found: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the appointment of Fiona

Found: Redacted s.38(1)(b)] Deputy Private Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care – Neil Gray

Found: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the reappointment of

Found: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the extension to the

Found: 1)(b)]@gov.scot Deputy Private Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care – Neil Gray

Found: Microsoft Teams Co-Chairs • Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs (AC) • Neil Gray

Found: personal data] Deputy Private Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care – Neil Gray

Found: Energy Rùnaire a’ Chaibineit airson Eaconamaidh do Mhath Dhaoine, Obair Chothromach is Cumhachd Neil Gray

Found: Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety Dr Alasdair Allan, Minister for Climate Action Neil Gray

Found: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the extension to the

Found: Angus Robertson MSP John Swinney MSP Shona Robison MSP Michael Matheson MSP Neil Gray

Found: Section 38(1)(b)] Deputy Private Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care – Neil Gray

Found: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the reappointment of

Found: S6W-37763 Neil Gray: As referred to in the Royal College of Nursing’s report, The Nursing Workforce

Found: correspondence - including text messages and emails - between the Scottish Government (specifically Neil Gray

Found: Arndale House, The Arndale Centre Manchester, M4 3AQ equalityhumanrights.com Neil Gray MC Cabinet

Found: E.g. using Neil Gray for any health related meetings, Ms McAllan for any net zero focused meetings.

Found: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the appointment of Mark

Found: ] Yours sincerely, [Redacted – S38(1)(b)] 14 Queen Street Edinburgh EH2 1LL Neil Gray

Found: (due to be released on the morning of 20 May) Previous engagement [Redacted – out of scope] Neil Gray

Found: Information relating to a meeting between the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray

Found: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP today announced the appointments of Heather

Found: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP, today announced the appointment of Alison

Found: 2024 Subject: Injecting Hope: The Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine exhibition tour invitation Dear Neil Gray

Found: Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care – Neil Gray Official:Sensitive [Out of Scope]

Found: As the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP set out as part of a statement to

Found: House Brussels St Andrew’s Day Concert Scotland House Brussels, Rondpoint Schuman 6, 1040 Bruxelles Neil Gray

Found: Arndale House, The Arndale Centre Manchester, M4 3AQ equalityhumanrights.com Neil Gray MC Cabinet

Found: Speaking on the BBC Sunday Show on 30th March 2025, Neil Gray said:“We are still to see what the cuts

Found: Neil Gray Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care DRAFT 4 Overview The NHS requires

Found: Wednesday 26 February 1530-1600 – via TEAMS Present Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing – Neil Gray

Found: response to national recommendations in the review.From: Cabinet Secretary Health and Social Care Neil Gray

Found: , [redacted] Deputy Private Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care – Neil Gray

Found: SNP minister Neil Gray was blasted over taking a government car to the screening of The Outrun, set

Found: Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Scottish Government Councillor Paul Kelly

Found: 2025 1 FAIRER SCOTLAND DUTY FOR SCOTLAND’S POPULATION HEALTH FRAMEWORK Lead Minister: Neil Gray

Found: Lead Minister: Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social CareLead official: Sean Jamieson, Senior

Found: and International Development and Minister with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine, Neil Gray

Found: To: Clare Haughey MSP, Convenor, Health, Social Care and Sports CommitteeFrom: Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet

Found: 2023 Angus Robertson, Michael Matheson, Shona Robison,Shirley-Anne Sommerville, Mairi Gougeon, Neil Gray

Found: Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care welcomed the group, thanking everyone for attending

Question

To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S6W-39725 by Neil Gray on 20 August 2025, what steps it is taking to ensure that the haematology workforce is included in the Future Medical Workforce project and other medical workforce plans, and whether it will meet the British Society for Haematology to discuss this work.

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

We're gathering insights from doctors, residents, and senior clinicians through a series of focus groups. These are open to doctors at all career stages, from trainees to consultants, including Haematologists. The invitation to join focus groups has been open to all doctors in Scotland so we would expect that British Society for Haematology members will have had the opportunity to sign up through their employing boards and will also have the opportunity to respond to a survey which will be shared imminently.

The project’s Call for Evidence aims to understand the innovative approaches, both technological and non-technological – that can support the delivery of high-quality, equitable, and future-ready services. We will invite the British Society for Haematology to provide a submission to this call for evidence.

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-39723 by Neil Gray on 21 August 2025, how many speciality training places have been funded in haematology in each year since 2014, and how many places were recommended by the Scottish Shape of Training Transition Group as part of expansion efforts.

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

In line with recommendations made by the Scottish Shape of Training Transition Group following annual reviews (since 2014) of the number of specialty training places needed in order to meet anticipated future service demand and consultant need, the Scottish Government has funded two additional haematology specialty training places in 2024.

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-40215 by Neil Gray on 11 September 2025, how many of the newly qualified paramedics that have joined the Scottish Ambulance Service in the North Region since 2023 are (a) still employed and (b) have been signed off work due to stress. 

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

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. You should request this directly from the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-34957 by Neil Gray on 20 February 2025, regarding the commitment in the NHS Recovery Plan 2021-2026 to recruit 1,000 additional staff in primary care mental health, whether it remains the case that the programme is paused.

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

The commitment to recruit 1000 additional staff in Primary Care Mental Health remains paused.

We are still committed to the development of mental health and wellbeing workforce capacity in general practice through Action 15 of the Mental Health Strategy 2017-2027, and the Primary Care Improvement Fund (PCIF).

Action 15 at March 2022, had seen an additional 356 WTE mental health workers recruited to general practice and at March 2025, 179.7 WTE Mental Health workers were in post funded by PCIF.

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-31917 by Neil Gray on 13 December 2024, whether it will provide an update on how many Scottish Graduate Entry Medicine (ScotGEM) graduates from summer 2023 did not take up a GPST 1 post in Scotland following completion of their foundation year 2, and what their destination was.

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

A total of 46 students graduated from the ScotGEM course in 2023. At the time of response, six have already taken up a GPST 1 post in Scotland.

The remaining students destinations can be broken down as follows:

• Six graduates are yet to complete their Foundation Year 2 (FY2), for varying reasons.
• Five graduates have elected to take a post other than a GPST 1.
• Six graduates chose not to complete their FY2 training in Scotland.
• 23 graduates who have not yet taken up a post, at the time of response.

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) are currently working to understand the destinations of the 23 graduates who have not taken up a GPST 1 post and where they are currently working, if in the NHS. This information will support the initial evaluation of the ScotGEM programme being undertaken by the Scottish Government.

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-31416 by Neil Gray on 28 November 2024, how many Scottish Graduate Entry Medicine (ScotGEM) graduates from summer 2023 have since taken up GPST 1 posts in Scotland following completion of their foundation year 2, broken down by NHS board area.

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

At the time of response six ScotGEM 2023 graduates have already taken up GPST 1 posts in Scotland, these are broken down by health board in the following table.

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-39313 by Neil Gray on 28 July 2025, whether the £4 million invested to deliver extra dermatology activity has been allocated to NHS boards, and, if so, whether there has been a noticeable difference to waiting times throughout the country as a result.

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

In addition to the £106 million targeted investment announced in May 2025 to address at the longest waits, the Government has now committed a further £4 million to deliver extra dermatology activity, bringing total additional funding for this year to over £110 million.

The additional dermatology funding was allocated to the three NHS Boards with the largest volumes of long waits and is broken down as follows:

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-38278 by Neil Gray on 10 June 2025, and in light of reported data from Public Health Scotland showing that over 50% of patients were waiting over six weeks for a colonoscopy as of March 2025, what specific provisions are included within the Endoscopy and Urology Diagnostic Recovery and Renewal Plan to enable the six-week target waiting times standard for key diagnostic tests and procedures to be met for people being investigated for inflammatory bowel disease.

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

As part of the Endoscopy and Urology Diagnostic Recovery and Renewal Plan, the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) has published a number of clinical pathways and guidance, co-designed with clinicians, to manage patients referred routinely for colonoscopy. This includes the recently published qFIT clinical consensus document and national guidance for specifically managing IBD symptoms. Health Boards will implement these pathways to meet the six week standard. The pathways are published on Health Board websites, and it is expected all boards should be implementing these locally.

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-38278 by Neil Gray on 10 June 2025, what support, in the form of guidance and process delivery, it is providing to clinicians to prioritise any urgent non-cancer colonoscopy requests.

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

As part of the Endoscopy and Urology Diagnostic Recovery and Renewal Plan, the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) has published a number of clinical pathways and guidance, co-designed with clinicians from specialty delivery groups to manage patients referred routinely for colonoscopy. This includes the recently published qFIT clinical consensus document and National guidance for specifically managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) symptoms. It is for Health Boards and clinicians to embed these pathways locally and ensure capacity within the six week diagnostic standard. The pathways are published on Health Board websites, and it is expected all boards should be implementing these locally.

Clinicians can also refer to IBD UK’s IBD Standards for advice on delivering high-quality care at every point in a patient’s journey.

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-36873 by Neil Gray on 1 May 2025, whether it will provide an update on the programme of work being undertaken to understand and respond to the current financial viability pressures in the social care sector and the impact that this change will have, including any contingency plans that it has in place.

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

The Scottish Government remain deeply concerned about the current financial pressures facing the social care sector. We fully recognise the anxiety and growing concerns within the social care sector in light of the increasing financial viability pressures.

These pressures have been caused by recent policy decisions made by the UK Government, including the rise in employer National Insurance Contributions, increases in salary threshold levels and adjustments to the social care visa system, all of which have direct and significant implications for the sector’s workforce and financial sustainability.

The Scottish Government has been pressing the UK Government at every opportunity to reverse these decisions, which are potentially catastrophic for the social care sector in Scotland. Despite the lack of engagement from the UK Government, Scottish Government officials have undertaken a significant programme of work to consider how to respond to the current financial viability pressures in the sector, and to understand the impact that these challenges will have. The Scottish Government initially established the eNICS Working Group in February 2025, which has since developed into the Financial Viability Response Group (FVRG).

The FVRG includes representatives from COSLA, from Health and Social Care Partnerships, SOLACE, Scottish Care, CCPS and the SSSC and it meets weekly, subject to progress.

This includes ongoing engagement with local leaders through the Collaborative Response and Assurance Group (CRAG), alongside regular monthly roundtable discussions involving Scottish Ministers, COSLA, and other key partners. In addition, we are continuing to evaluate both the immediate and longer-term impacts of these changes on care providers, service delivery, and the social care workforce.

Our shared goal is to identify, understand and manage the immediate risks effectively, while also laying the groundwork for a more resilient and sustainable social care system in Scotland. This will be an ongoing process with a number of options under consideration, and we value the collaboration and insight of all stakeholders as we navigate these complex challenges together.

While we will continue to provide as much support as possible to the sector, we are also confident in the ability of our local partners to ensure that appropriate contingency planning is being undertaken effectively and to respond to both national and local level pressures.

Local Authorities, Integration Authorities, and NHS Boards each play a key role in developing contingency plans at the local level. As Category One Responders under the Civil Contingencies Act, they undertake significant and robust planning and preparation, in order to fully respond effectively to a range of scenarios.

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-33389 by Neil Gray on 24 January 2025, whether it will provide an update on the business case for a new pre-hospital emergency critical care replacement service for the east of Scotland.

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

The Scottish Government is awaiting the final business case from the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Once received, it will be reviewed through the relevant governance processes.

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-36288 by Neil Gray on 17 April 2025, whether it will provide an update on the publication of the UK-wide clinical guidelines on alcohol treatment. 

Answered by Todd, Maree - Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy and Sport

The UK Clinical Guidelines for Alcohol Treatment is a document being drafted by the Westminster governed Office for Health Inequalities and Disparities (OHID). The document is being drafted on a 4-nations basis in which Scottish Government is fully involved, however the decision on when to publish sits solely with OHID.

SG officials have spoken to their colleagues within OHID and have been advised that OHID intends to publish this document in Summer 2025.

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-31484 by Neil Gray on 21 November 2024, when it plans to publish the national specification on treatment and recovery services for drugs and alcohol, as was originally planned for the first quarter of 2025.

Answered by Todd, Maree - Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy and Sport

The National Specification is intended to be published by the end of 2025,

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-37338 by Neil Gray on 20 May 2025, since the amendment of the GP contractor regulations in 2022, what analysis it has undertaken to understand the extent to which GP surgeries are offering an online appointment booking system for patients.

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

The Scottish Government has not undertaken analysis of the extent to which GP surgeries are offering an online appointment booking system for patients since the regulations were changed in 2022.

The Scottish Government does not have a role in assessing the performance of GP contractors as those contracts are between GP practices and NHS boards. GP practices are expected to regularly consider whether it is desirable, in order to meet the reasonable needs of their registered patients, to increase the proportion of appointments which are made available online to their registered patients and if it is desirable, to increase the proportion of those appointments. The needs of every practice population differ and the Scottish Government is not in a position to determine, at a national level, what the arrangements in any individual practice should be.

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the second supplementary to question S6O-04619 by Neil Gray on 7 May 2025, whether it will provide an update on the delivery of an electronic, single shared patient record system.

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

The provision of patient record systems remains the operational responsibility of Health Boards, but at a national level I can confirm it is our intention to launch the first version of a personalised digital health and social care service from December 2025. This was set out in the answer to question S6W-30875 on 11 November 2024.

The Scottish Government emphasises that this provides citizens with access to their own health and care data and accordingly will address the desire across Scotland for individuals to have access to a single shared patient record.

It is important to recognise that implementation of the service for our workforce, will build on our current Clinical Portal system, which currently enables many Health Boards across Scotland to have access to health information as part of the integrated record. This commitment is also set out in our recently published Programme for Government 2025-26 -https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/advice-and-guidance/2025/05/programme-government-2025-26/documents/programme-government-2025-26/programme-government-2025-26/govscot%3Adocument/programme-government-2025-26.pdf.

We highly recognise the importance of ensuring staff have access to the correct patient information where required, and we continue to improve this through development of our National Digital Platform, which enables the storage and integration of data for digital services that are public facing. We have also applied our learning collated from the use of the Clinical Portals, and we will continue to collate and apply intelligence gathered to our ongoing development of Integrated Records.

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

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6O-04562 by Neil Gray on 24 April 2025, whether the progress made towards meeting the child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) waiting time standard would have been possible without changes in the approach to making neurodevelopmental assessments, such as NHS Tayside CAMHS no longer accepting neurodevelopmental referrals for young people without co-morbid mental health problems.

Answered by Todd, Maree - Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy and Sport

The Public Health Scotland CAMHS waiting times statistics capture children and young people who meet the CAMHS criteria. We continue to see a significant and sustained improvement in CAMHS waiting times, despite continuing high demand from children and young people who need mental health support.

The CAMHS waiting time statistics do not include children seeking a neurodevelopmental assessment unless they have a comorbid mental health condition because they do not meet the CAMHS criteria. This is stated in the publication of CAMHS statistics.

CAMHS is a specialist mental health service and is simply not the appropriate service for children and young people seeking diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental condition, unless they are seeking support for a co-existing mental health condition. For many young people, support through a neurodevelopmental pathway will be more appropriate.

Found: Harrington, then Scottish Government’s Minister with Special Responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine Neil Gray

Found: Cyfarfod/Meeting Geraint Evans, CEO of UK Major Ports Group 2023-07-25 00:00:00 Cyfarfod/Meeting Neil Gray

Found: 2024-04-24 00:00:00 Agoriad/Opening Cerebral Palsy Cymru 2024-04-24 00:00:00 Cyfarfod/Meeting Neil Gray

Found: Cyfarfod/Meeting Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for BEIS 2022-12-14 00:00:00 Cyfarfod/Meeting Neil Gray

Found: Cyfarfod/Meeting DMCC, MCC, MFLG & LA Leaders re Roads Review 2023-02-08 00:00:00 Cyfarfod/Meeting Neil Gray

Found: Chair, and the Scottish Government’s Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, Neil Gray

Found: Michael Ellis QC MP, Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, and Neil Gray MSP, the Scottish

Found: this statement today about vaccine equity, at the same time as my Scottish Government counterpart Neil Gray

Found: The meeting was chaired by the Paymaster General, Michael Ellis MP, and attended by Neil Gray MSP, the

<p>Diolch yn fawr, Mark Isherwood, and I look forward as well to my visit on Friday to the Polish integration centre. Also, just in terms of links to the third sector and faith groups, I'm also very much looking forward to meeting Link International in north Wales during my visit later this week. Also, I will be holding a meeting next week with the third sector, which includes the faith groups.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I think it is important to recognise that we are pleased to be providing sanctuary for so many people. There's been a huge team Wales response to a terrible ongoing conflict, as you said. And it's this partnership approach that will continue as we support people to move on into longer term accommodation, either to hosts or into private or social housing across Wales. I've already identified the very good news that 1,200 have moved on, 800 into other hosts or, indeed, to private rented accommodation.</p>
<p>You ask about the ways in which we are supporting working with local authorities to provide interim and longer term accommodation. This is about all those in housing need in Wales, making sure that we use the transitional accommodation capital programme. We're investing £89 million through that programme to deliver more good-quality longer term accommodation, and it will help everyone in housing need. We're also investing over £197 million in homelessness and housing support. But we've taken the decision, as I've said, to include that £40 million in our draft budget, to continue our support for the people of Ukraine in this coming financial year. And these allocations underpin and highlight our commitment to supporting Ukrainian guests as they come to Wales.&nbsp;And I think it's important, in terms of that £89 million, that this is enabling local authorities to develop innovative ways in which they can accommodate those in housing need.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I think it's important to say in terms of the UK Government that we're very disappointed with the funding announcements they've made; I've made that clear in my statement. We believe the decisions to cut integration tariff funding for new arrivals, to scrap year 2 funding altogether, is short-sighted and counter-productive, because local authorities are working tirelessly to support Ukrainians and their hosts, but these funding cuts withdraw vital funding at a time of immense pressure on public services. I met the UK Minister, Felicity Buchan,&nbsp;before Christmas, with the Minister for refugees from Scotland, Neil Gray, and, indeed, we've got a meeting next week with Felicity Buchan. So, I'm glad that, again, Mark, we are moving forward on a trilateral basis to raise these issues. But there's no clarity, as I said in my statement, about the £150 million housing support that was announced before Christmas.</p>
<p>Just in terms of the breakdown or ending of placements, if, for any reason, sponsorship arrangements need to be ended early, the local authority is the one that should be notified. The authority needs to be notified as soon as possible. They'll help Ukrainians. They're all working flat out across Wales to help Ukrainians in these situations. But, also, we're funding the Welsh Refugee Council to provide support for those who need support directly, and they can in fact contact the Welsh Refugee Council. If we look at the nation of sanctuary website, the numbers are given, and they can contact and they will get bespoke advice and support on an individual family household basis. But this is about a partnership that we have with Housing Justice Cymru and Asylum Justice Cymru, who are also helping Ukrainian guests with immigration problems and questions as well.</p>
<p>So, as you know, this is about the team Wales approach, working together, supporting all of those who come to stay and live with us here in Wales, and giving them the support that we feel that they are entitled to. And, of course, many now are moving into jobs, into further and higher education, and we are addressing, and indeed the education Minister is clearly addressing, many of the issues that you've raised in terms of access to education. But also, we are addressing the issues relating to qualifications as well. This is something where, I think, in terms of the powers that we've got—. We've updated eligibility guidance for post-16 funding for those arriving under the Home Office Ukraine visa schemes, and all universities are keen to offer refuge for academics and students, and also working on the issues regarding the transferability of qualifications.</p>