Parliamentary questions

Cathy Jamieson

1,344 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

20 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to identify areas of high usage by tractors and other agricultural vehicles on the trunk road network and how it is seeking to improve safety on these routes.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland does not hold information on levels of usage of tractors and agricultural vehicles on the trunk road network. mso

20 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many road accidents involving tractors and other agricultural vehicles there have been on (a) trunk and (b) non-trunk roads in the last five years.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The following table shows the number of injury road accidents involving agricultural vehicles on trunk and non-trunk roads in the last five years. <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td nowrap valign=bottom > <p align…

20 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether ScotRail, in relation to its winter 2009 timetable, sought permission to provide a rail service that did not comply with the ScotRail Franchise Authority Service Level Commitment; if so, for what services, and what decision was reached in each case.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28293 on 12 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliaments website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps…

20 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration was given to the ScotRail Franchise Authority Service Level Commitment when setting the winter 2009 timetable for the (a) Stranraer/Girvan - Newcastle service and (b) Glasgow Central - Stranraer service.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The new winter 2009 rail timetable for the Girvan - Stranraer line was proposed, consulted upon, developed and agreed as part of the continuing contractual process involving ScotRail and Transport Scotland. The ScotRail Service Level Commitment is va…

20 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to increase the provision of thermal insulation in domestic homes in South Ayrshire.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government funds the Energy Saving Trust to manage the Energy Saving Scotland advice network. The network comprises five Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centres (ESSACs) across Scotland, each providing local advice on a range of sustainability issu…

20 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what role the LEADER programme could have in increasing the provision of thermal insulation in domestic homes in rural areas.

Answer · Alex Neil: LEADER (Liaison Entre Actions de Developpement Economique Rurale) or (Links between actions for the development of rural communities) is part of the Scotland Rural Development Programme (2007-13). The aim of LEADER is to enhance rural communities through help…

20 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with utility companies regarding increasing the provision of thermal insulation in domestic homes.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government is working closely with energy utilities through our Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) Strategy steering group to boost investment in thermal insulation in Scottish homes. In offering their support for our Securing Our Share…

20 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with local authorities regarding increasing the provision of thermal insulation in domestic homes.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government liaised closely with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) in developing proposals and selection criteria for the area-based Home Insulation Scheme. This included a joint COSLA-Scottish Government workshop with local cou…

20 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of nurses graduating in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007 and (d) 2008 took up a nursing position (i) with NHSScotland, (ii) elsewhere in the NHS, (iii) in the private sector and (iv) overseas and how many left the profession or are unemployed.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not centrally available. However, National Services Scotland, Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland publish data on nursing and midwifery student intakes and students in training which is available from the following websit…

20 Oct 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with NHS Grampian regarding changes to its staff nurse development programme.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Following the introduction of Flying Start NHS, the one year national programme for newly qualified nurses, midwives and Allied Health Professionals, Scottish Government officials have been in regular contact with NHS Grampian to ensure that Flying Start NHS …

22 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what contact it has had with the UK Department of Health regarding sharing best practice on steps to reduce the incidence of healthcare associated infections in hospitals.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Healthcare associated infection (HAI) is not unique to Scotland and is a major challenge for all the UK countries. It is also a global problem. Both the Scottish Government and members of our HAI Task Force have robust networks of contacts in place around the…

9 Sep 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that teachers who have successfully completed their probationary year are able to secure teaching posts in Scottish schools.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop : This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0917-01.htm">http://www.scot…

3 Sep 2009 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what further consultation has taken place regarding the future of district courts in Ayrshire.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill : This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0903-01.htm">http://www.scot…

6 Aug 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps will be taken to ensure that children with asthma are given priority in the first tranche of the programme of vaccination against the influenza A(H1N1) virus.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: As announced on 13 August, people aged over six months and up to 65 years in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups will be the first priority group to be vaccinated against the influenza A(H1N1) virus. Children with asthma are incl…

6 Aug 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to meet with Asthma UK Scotland to discuss the impact that the influenza A(H1N1) virus could have on people with asthma.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Asthma UK participated in a recent UK-wide workshop to disseminate the latest advice on the current pandemic. My officials are currently in discussions with Asthma UK Scotland to consider how they can support the dissemination of these messages in Scotland, i…

28 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the (a) attendees at the meeting with the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change at Dumfries House, East Ayrshire, on 23 July 2009, (b) matters discussed and (c) actions to be progressed as a result.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: (a) The following were in attendance at the summer tour meeting at Dumfries House, East Ayrshire: Councillor Reid - Leader of Council; Councillor McDill - Whip and Spokesperson for Environment and Regeneration; <…

20 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it gives to local authorities on the provision of play areas in local communities.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The Scottish Government has not issued specific guidance to local authorities on the provision of play areas in local communities.

20 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects every local authority to include children’s play in its single outcome agreement.

Answer · Adam Ingram: Through the single outcome agreement process, local authorities and community planning partners are responsible for securing improved outcomes for children in their local areas, where necessary realigning resources to support the priorities in the Early Years…

20 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what finance it has made available to local authorities to provide new play facilities for children in each year from 2008 to 2011.

Answer · Adam Ingram: No specific funding has been allocated to local authorities for new play facilities for children. We are, however, working closely with local government and community planning partners to implement the Early Years Framework which highlights the very important…

20 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to invest in new play areas.

Answer · Adam Ingram: On 11 August 2009, the Scottish Government announced a new programme totalling £4 million over the next two years, which will be managed by Inspiring Scotland and will provide the basis for a sustainable and active play sector in Scotland. Go Play i…

13 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the pilot study to identify and log unmet gaps in the provision of attendant-controlled powered wheelchairs will provide an estimate of costs for removal of the eligibility criteria for people who use such wheelchairs.

Answer · Shona Robison: The five NHS wheelchair centres in Scotland are planning a service development that will trial new powered wheelchair equipment. The services are developing an audit tool, based on assessment, that will assist in identifying whether the wheelchair user''s goa…

13 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide audit results for compliance with hand hygiene opportunities for each NHS staff group, broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Health Protection Scotland (HPS) publish national hand hygiene compliance audit reports that detail national compliance results for each NHS staff group. These reports are available at: <a href="http://www.documents.hps.scot.nhs.uk/hai/infection-cont…

6 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how (a) long wards were closed for and (b) many medical procedures were cancelled due to the maggot infestation at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: No wards were closed because of the infestation. Twelve procedures were postponed.

6 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to address the maggot infestation at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Pest control services worked along with NHS Grampian estates staff to identify the problem. The infestation appeared to emanate from outside the theatre area. External pipes have been removed and cleaned, and pesticide treatment has been undertaken in externa…

6 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it was informed of the maggot infestation at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government was informed of the maggot infestation on Thursday 2 July.

29 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many nurses have completed their training to allow them to register as a specialist community public health nurse in (a) health visiting, (b) school nursing or (c) specialist practitioners in district nursing in each year since 1999-00 for which information is available, broken down b…

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Education for Scotland (NES) collects information on NMC recordable specialist practitioner qualifications (SPQs) which includes health visiting, public health nursing and district nursing. The information requested, broken down by NHS board is not held c…

29 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many nurses have been in training to allow them to register as a specialist community public health nurse in (a) health visiting, (b) school nursing or (c) specialist practitioners in district nursing in each year since 1999-00 for which information is available, broken down by NHS bo…

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Education for Scotland (NES) collects information on NMC recordable specialist practitioner qualifications (SPQ) which includes health visiting, public health nursing and district nursing. The information requested, broken down by NHS board, is not held c…

29 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many nurses have been funded by their NHS board to gain the relevant qualification to allow them to register as a specialist community public health nurse in (a) health visiting, (b) school nursing or (c) specialist practitioners in district nursing in each year since 1999-00 for whic…

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Post-registration education is determined and funded locally by NHS boards or by individuals as part of their career development. The funding source for specialist practitioner qualification programmes in health visiting, public health nursing and district nu…

26 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve access to places of safety and assessment for people with mental health problems who are in police custody.

Answer · Shona Robison: Psychiatric Emergency Plans (PEPs) set out locally agreed, multi-agency plans for the safe and appropriate transport of people assessed as requiring emergency detention in hospital. PEPs cover a range of topics including the role of the Police and other agenc…

26 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the higher level of mental health problems in deprived communities and what funding has been allocated specifically for this purpose.

Answer · Shona Robison: It is the responsibility of the local government and NHS boards to work in partnership and allocate funds from the total financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs, priorities and agreed targets, including the Scottish Government''s key…