Parliamentary questions
Christine Grahame
3,532 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
3 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated annual cost is of providing free personal care for people under 65 diagnosed with dementia.
Answer · Tom McCabe: This information is notavailable centrally. However, the Executive is committed to further considerationof the position of other care groups, such as younger people with disabilities.We propose to commission research on the needs of younger people with physic…
3 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-986 by Malcolm Chisholm on 15 July 2003, of the 17,600 people with dementia presented to their GP in 2002, how many were under 65.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Of the estimated 17,600people with dementia presented to their GP in 2002, 780 were under 65 years ofage.</p>
3 Feb 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2O-1061 by Cathy Jamieson on 15 January 2004 and its news release SEFD 348/2004, whether the #400,000 announced to "help establish a co-located justice centre in Rosetta Road, Peebles" represents additional capital funding or borrowing consent and wheth…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The announcement of £400,000,which follows discussions between the Scottish Executive, Lothian and Borders Policeand the Scottish Borders Council, represents additional capital consent. The Rosetta Roadproject will now go forward. The next stage is for Lothia…
30 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many private sleep units there are and how many patients are registered with them.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: This information is not heldcentrally.</p>
30 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the finding of the report endorsed by the British Sleep Society, Dead Tired, whether it considers that a total 20 minutes teaching per student on sleep disorders is satisfactory and, if not, what steps it will take to ensure that a greater amount of teaching time is giv…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The responsibility fordetermining the educational requirements for all medical undergraduates restswith the General Medical Council (GMC).</p><p>The GMC is the regulatorybody which determines the content of the courses and decides the standard ofexpertise to …
30 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been undertaken into the (a) scale (b) effects and (c) cost of sleep disorders, in light of the recommendations of the report endorsed by the British Sleep Society, Dead Tired.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: No research has been commissionedby the Executive as a direct result of this report. The Chief Scientist Officeof the Scottish Executive Health Department is currently funding one Edinburgh Universityresearch project, “Screening for Sleep Apnoea/Hypoponoea Sy…
30 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps will be taken to introduce guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of all sleep disorders, in light of the finding of the report endorsed by the British Sleep Society, Dead Tired, that there are 84 sleep disorders.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: There are no plans to takeany action directly related to this report. However, the ScottishIntercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), which is funded by the Executivethrough NHS Quality Improvement Scotland to produce good practice clinicalguidelines, publish…
30 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-23349 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 March 2002, how many patients currently receive continuous positive airway pressure therapy for sleep apnoea.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: As at 31 December 2003,there were 2,585 patients receiving Continuous Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP)therapy.</p>
30 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-23351 by Malcolm Chisholm on 19 March 2002, what funding was provided by NHS Lothian for sleep disorder services in (a) 2000-01, (b) 2001-02, (c) 2002-03 and (d) 2003-04 and what additional funding was provided to other NHS boards for referrals to th…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The table shows the fundingprovided by NHS boards in Scotland to the Sleep Centre in Edinburgh:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> <p>NHS Boards</p> </td> <td> <p align=center>2000-01</p> </td> <td> <p align=c…
30 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-23350 by Malcolm Chisholm on 21 March 2002, how many patients are currently on the waiting list for a first appointment at the Sleep Centre in Edinburgh; how, in relation to the answer, it defines “clinical priority”, and what the average w…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: There are 655 patientsawaiting a first appointment, and 25 patients (whose initial referral recommendsit) awaiting a first appointment and sleep study.</p><p> “Clinical priority” refersto patients such as those who may be at risk of falling asleep whilst unde…
30 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, with reference to page 4, paragraph 8, of the report from the Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland, Evidence & Equity, published in April 1999, infertility due to cancer treatment would be an appropriate diagnosed cause.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: <i>Evidence and Equity</i>, the report of the Expert Advisory Group onInfertility Services in Scotland (EAGISS), states that NHS funded assistedconception should be available to couples who meet all of the relevanteligibility criteria, including: </p><p>“<i>C…
30 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, with reference to the report from the Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland, Evidence & Equity, published in April 1999, it will review the eligibility criteria for assisted contraception.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Programme forClinical Effectiveness in Reproductive Health (SPCERH), commissioned by theChief Medical Officer, recently held aconsensus conference to reconsider the eligibility criteria for access to NHSfunded infertility treatment. The Executive…
30 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many dedicated diagnostic sleep beds there are and where they are located.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: This information is not heldcentrally.</p>
27 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support projects such as “In Touch” in Galashiels after their New Futures funding ends.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The objective is tomainstream NFF after phase 2 in order that the type of activity and approachdeveloped by projects, including “In Touch”, are more widely available. Mainstreamingis a top priority for the Enterprise Networks. Scottish Enterprise has identifi…
27 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether interim funding can be provided to projects such as “In Touch” in Galashiels whose funding will end prior to the conclusion of the New Futures Fund.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Scottish Enterprise andHighlands & Islands Enterprise are currently funding a range of projects inphase 2 of NFF. The contracts for a small number of projects, including “InTouch”, are due to end in March 2004. We are considering, with the EnterpriseNetwo…
27 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the final evaluation of the New Futures Fund will be published.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Scottish Enterpriseand Highlands & Islands Enterprise will both be publishing their finalevaluations of phase 2 of the New Futures Fund in February 2005.</p>
26 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the pay modernisation team looking at the impact of the general medical services and consultant contracts is expected to report and whether the report will include consideration of any retrospective implications for NHS boards.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The pay modernisation teamis co-ordinating a wide range of work at local and national level to aid theimplementation of the general medical services and consultants’ contract and tohelp oversee delivery of the contracts and their impact. This is an on-goingpr…
23 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-158 by Mr Jim Wallace on 3 June 2003, how much has been received by each further education college for social inclusion in each of the years referred to (a) excluding any funding attributable to the location of the college being in a rural area and (…
Answer · Jim Wallace: The information requested is as follows:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 width=602> <thead> <tr> <td> <p>College</p> </td> <td colspan="2"> <p align=center> </p> <p align=center>2000-01</p> </td> <td colspan="2"> <p align=cen…
23 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much each region has received from the European Regional Development Fund, broken down by individual project.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: In the current 2000-06European Structural Funds Scottish programmes, European Regional DevelopmentFunding (ERDF) is available in the Highlands and Islands Special TransitionalProgramme and in the east of Scotland, south of Scotland and western Scotland object…
23 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether retrospective applications can be made to the European Regional Development Fund and, if so, which projects have successfully so applied.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: Retrospective applicationsare normally not permitted for European Structural Funds. However in 2003, withthe Commission’s approval, some projects in the current 2000-2006 Objective 2East of Scotland and Western Scotland programmes were allowed toclaim funding…
23 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding from the European Regional Development Fund remains unallocated, broken down by region.
Answer · Lewis Macdonald: In the current 2000-06European Structural Funds Scottish Programmes, the total</p><p>European RegionalDevelopment Fund (ERDF) grant remaining unallocated is detailed below.</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 width=558> <thead> <tr> <td> <p>Sc…
23 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many summary convictions have been recorded for offences under the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The information requested isnot yet available from the statistics held centrally.</p>
20 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will now publish its review of area tourist boards.
Answer · Frank McAveety: Since the Summer, the <i>ad hoc</i>group of ministers on tourism has been examining the state of Scottish tourism,and the public expenditure devoted to it. We are considering the outcome of thearea tourist board review in context of these wider issues. We nee…
7 Jan 2004 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in discussions between its police division and Lothian and Borders Police regarding the funding of a combined Sheriff courthouse and police facility in Peebles.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Discussionsare continuing with Lothian and Borders Police about financing options for thisproject in 2004-05.</p>
6 Jan 2004 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-1687 by Euan Robson on 18 August 2003 and to his letter dated 19 November 2003 advising that the report of the Chief Social Work Inspector would be sent to Scottish Borders Council on the 21 November 2003, whether the Executive has now received that …
Answer · Euan Robson: Scottish Borders Council provided the Chief Inspector of Social Work with commentson his report at the end of December 2003. The report is being finalised by theinspectorate in the light of this process and the Chief Inspector will send itto ministers shortly…
18 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on what basis the draft report on the "Miss X" case was returned to the Chief Inspector of Social Work Services by Scottish Borders Council on 5 November 2003 and when it anticipates that the report will be publicly issued.
Answer · Peter Peacock: On 5 November 2003,the Chief Executive of Scottish Borders Council provided comments on theinitial draft findings of fact. No date has been set for publication.</p>
15 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether a full or abridged copy of the Borders railway business plan will be made public and, if so, when.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: Publication of suchdocuments is a matter for the promoter. The Waverley Railway Partnership is thepromoter of this project.</p>
12 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the funding for the Borders railway will be raised by each relevant local authority; how this funding will be raised; what its position would be if local authorities do not raise the expected funding, and what its position would be if the Strategic Rail Authority does not deli…
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The amount of and means ofraising funding contributions is a matter for the Waverley Railway Partnership.It is the promoter’s responsibility to assemble and deliver the funding packagefor the railway and it would be premature for the Scottish Executive to ant…
12 Dec 2003 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2O-932 by Nicol Stephen on 11 December 2003, when it received the business case for the Borders railway and when it expects to make an announcement in respect of its additional funding contribution to support construction of the railway.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The initial business casewas received on 4 November 2003. Following an initial analysis further informationwas requested from the Waverley RailwayPartnership and this was received on 2 December 2003.That information is now being considered and an announcement…
11 Dec 2003 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with VisitScotland and the Scottish Borders Tourist Board in respect of boosting tourism in the Borders.
Answer · Frank McAveety: Boostingtourism in the Borders is a matter for VisitScotland and the Scottish BordersTourist Board. They have developed a range of initiatives aimed at increasingthe volume and value of tourism to the Borders area. There is clear evidencethat tourism in the B…