Publication - FOI/EIR release

Brain Tumour Research Funding: FOI release

Published: 15 April 2024
Directorate: Chief Medical Officer Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector
FOI reference: FOI/202400404760
Date received: 15 March 2024
Date responded: 11 April 2024

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Information requested

March is Brain Tumour Awareness Month. On Thursday the 14th March, during First Minister’s Question Time, Humza Yousaf was asked by Beatrice Wishart MSP (Shetland Islands –LD), ‘What can the First Minister say about increasing funding to fund improved treatments and ultimately, cures?' Please provide the briefing information made available to the First Minister related to this question.
Humza Yousaf stated that he was 'looking forward to the photo call’ after First Minister’s question time (for Brain Tumour awareness month) and noted a figure for the increased funding to the NHS in Scotland, but no response was provided to the question from Ms Wishart MSP, which related specifically to finding 'improved treatments’ through funding for Brain Tumour Research. Humza Yousaf stated that further written details would be provided by the Cabinet Secretary Mr Gray. Please provide information on these details which relate specifically to funding provided to Brain Tumour Research in Scotland by the Scottish Government.
During the period May 2021 and March 2024, please provide information on how much the Scottish Government has pledged to be made available specifically for Brain Tumour Research funding in Scotland.
During the period November 2014 to May 2021, please provide information on what level of funding the Scottish Government made available specifically for Brain Tumour Research in Scotland.
During the period May 2007 to November 2014, please provide information on what level of funding the Scottish Government made available specifically for Brain Tumour Research in Scotland.

Response

I enclose a copy of all of the information you requested

Response to 1.
Attached document - Briefing - Wear a Hat Day - Photocall and Reception - 14 March 2024 -REDACTED.doc. Please note that the names of the Scottish Government Officials providing support at the reception have been redacted under Section 38(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Response to 2.
Attached document - Letter from Cab Sec NRHSC to Ms Wishart - Brain Tumour Awareness Month - 19 March 2024.pdf

Response to 3 -5.
Attached document - Chief Scientist Office - Brain Tumour research project funding.pdf

Within the Scottish Government, Health and Care Research comes under the remit of the Chief Scientist Office (CSO). CSO funds research project and fellowships through a competitive, independent expert review process. Funding is not pre-allocated and applications across the clinical spectrum go through an identical independent review process to allow funding decisions to be made. The attached document provides details, including funding amounts, for Brain Tumour-specific projects funded in each of the 3 periods referred to above. Details on the CSO funding committee process is available via the following link: Response Mode Funding Schemes – Chief Scientist Office (scot.nhs.uk)

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