Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-21393

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 21 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many times in each of the last five years each NHS board has (a) been subject to and (b) lost legal action because an error was made when informing parents of the sex of an unborn baby, also broken down by the (i) cost of legal action and (ii) amount of compensation awarded.

We are not aware of any cases where Boards have been subject to legal action regarding informing parents of the sex of their baby at ultrasound. Gender scans are not carried out by the NHS as there is generally no clinical reason to find out the sex of the baby. However, on some occasions it may be possible to give an indication of what the sex is and it is for Boards to decide whether to have a local policy on sharing this information. Any Boards that give this information will indicate to parents that the scan in not a conclusive test and may not be accurate.

Question reference: S5W-21392

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 04 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 21 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards do not inform parents of the sex of unborn babies because of concerns that they might be subject to legal action if an error is made, and what its position is on this approach.

The main purposes of ultrasound scans are to date pregnancy, chart the growth of the baby and provide antenatal screenings. Then at the more detailed scan at 20 weeks, to assess for any possible health problems. Gender scans are not carried out by the NHS as there is usually no clinical reason to find out the sex of the baby. At some scans the sonographer may be able to identify the sex of the baby, it is entirely at the Health Boards’ discretion whether they give out this information. We do not collect data on which Boards provide this information. There are no plans to change this policy at this time.

Question reference: S5W-21571

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 08 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 21 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the comment by the head of the Scottish Public Health Observatory comment regarding life expectancy rates that, "What we see [in Scotland] is a worrying trend. Life expectancy not only gives an indication of how long people are likely to live, but also serves as a 'warning light' for the public's health."

Over the long term life expectancy and healthy life expectancy have increased. The latest data are of concern. We have a range of strategies to address inequalities in health and their underlying drivers. Health inequalities are a symptom of wider income inequality. That is why we have taken action such as setting in statute our ambition to eradicate child poverty, and outlining concrete action to make progress on this goal through our first Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.

Question reference: S5W-21525

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 20 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 17 August 2018, 9% pay rise for NHS workers, by what date it will publish the details of the proposed changes to the terms and conditions of the "Agenda for Change" staff.

Question reference: S5W-21450

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 19 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-20933 by Jeane Freeman on 4 February 2019, whether it will provide the same information for the (a) Edinburgh and (b) Aberdeen endometriosis centre.

Question reference: S5W-21452

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 19 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-21123 by Jeane Freeman on 4 February 2019, whether it will provide the same information for the (a) Edinburgh and (b) Aberdeen endometriosis centre.

Question reference: S5W-21451

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 19 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-20934 by Jeane Freeman on 4 February 2019, whether it will provide the same information for the (a) Edinburgh and (b) Aberdeen endometriosis centre.

Question reference: S5T-01494

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 18 February 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that school menus in around three quarters of council areas include processed meats containing nitrites.

Question reference: S5W-20937

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 13 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what funding has been allocated to support the endometriosis centre in (a) Edinburgh and (b) Aberdeen.

There are two specialist centres open in Edinburgh (based at the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh and the Royal) and in Aberdeen (Royal Infirmary). It is the responsibility of local NHS Boards to ensure patients are able to access the appropriate care for endometriosis funded through existing NHS budgets.

Scottish Government has been working closely with the West of Scotland to progress the business case and establish a centre in the West. NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde have confirmed their costs are in line with other centres.

Question reference: S5W-21109

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 25 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 7 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has not implemented the recommendation by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in Scotland that the BMI of all children over five is measured.

In July 2018, the Scottish Government published ‘A healthier future: Scotland’s diet and healthy weight delivery plan’. The plan sets out our vision for everyone in Scotland to eat well and have a healthy weight, and our ambitions to halve childhood obesity by 2030 and significantly reduce health inequalities.

ISD currently publishes annual statistics on the proportion of children in Primary 1 in schools across Scotland who have healthy, high, and low body mass index (BMI). As part of the Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan we have committed to exploring current practice, evidence and cost-effective options for improving the tracking, support and data beyond Primary 1. This work is underway and we will make decisions about next steps later this year.

The Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan can be accessed here: www.gov.scot/ISBN/9781787810556 .

The Body Mass Index of Primary 1 Children in Scotland School Year 2017/18 publication is available here: https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Child-Health/Publications/2018-12-11/2018-12-11-P1-BMI-Statistics-Publication-Report.pdf

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