Helen Eadie

4 Oct 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether people with gluten ataxia, other than those diagnosed with coeliac disease, can obtain gluten-free products on an NHS prescription and what the reason is for its position on this matter.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances advises prescribers on a UK basis as to which, and in which circumstances, substances such as some foods and toiletries may be regarded as drugs for the treatment of specified conditions, and may thus be prescri…

4 Oct 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it raises awareness of gluten ataxia (a) in the community and (b) among medical professionals.

Answer · Michael Matheson: We recognise that raising awareness of rare conditions such as gluten ataxia can be very challenging. We are currently supporting the National Neurological Advisory Group (NNAG) in raising the profile of all neurological conditions within the NHS, the third …

4 Oct 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are clinics in Scotland for patients with gluten-related neurological manifestations that provide the specialised services available at the Sheffield Institute of Gluten-Related Disorders.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Clinical care of patients with gluten-related neurological disease, including access to the recognised and validated autoantibody assays used to underpin clinical diagnosis, is routinely provided through NHSScotland neurology clinics - through which any furth…

4 Oct 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve early diagnosis rates for gluten ataxia.

Answer · Michael Matheson: We want to see everyone with a neurological condition diagnosed as swiftly as possible so that they can access the treatment and support they need. Gluten ataxia is considered a rare disorder and the range of neurological problems caused by gluten sensitivi…

4 Oct 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it has provided for research into gluten ataxia in each of the last three years.

Answer · Alex Neil: Within the Scottish Government, the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health and healthcare needs in Scotland. CSO has not received any research funding applications on gluten ataxia in the last three…

4 Oct 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information the NHS provides to patients on (a) symptoms, (b) treatment and (c) dietary recommendations for people with gluten ataxia.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone with a neurological condition can access the care and support they need. Ataxia refers to a group of neurological disorders that affect balance, coordination, and speech; there are many different…

4 Oct 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time has been for a diagnosis of gluten ataxia in each NHS board in each of the last three years.

Answer · Alex Neil: The specific information requested is not available centrally.

1 Oct 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people in Fife have been affected by fuel poverty in the last three years.

26 Sep 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a legal impediment to using CCTV in hospital wards to monitor patient safety.

Answer · Alex Neil: Neither the Scottish Government nor NHSScotland have undertaken detailed consideration of installing CCTV in hospital wards. However, there are a number of legal, ethical, and practical considerations, which would need to be taken into account before institut…

23 Sep 2013 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to increase the number of adult learners in Fife.

12 Sep 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of significant reductions in waiting times for orthopaedic services, whether it will write to the staff who provide these services to thank them for their work.

Answer · Alex Neil: The lowest waiting times ever in Scotland, including in orthopaedics, is clearly down to the dedication and commitment of staff across the NHS. I have on many occasions commended staff for their hard work and I am happy to reaffirm this.

12 Sep 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent announcement that it will provide additional support for the Golden Jubilee National Hospital, whether it plans to centralise routine orthopaedic procedures.

Answer · Alex Neil: No. The Scottish Government has no plans to centralise routine orthopaedic procedures.

12 Sep 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that NHS boards deliver anthroplasty services locally and what its position is on the national contract for such services.

Answer · Alex Neil: NHSScotland continue to effectively deliver waiting time standards for orthopaedic services with the vast majority of patients being treated locally. There is no national contract currently in place specifically for anthroplasty services.

12 Sep 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that NHS boards have been purchasing private care following a reduction in the number of acute orthopaedic beds in 2012 and whether it considers that this is consistent with its reported position that all services should be provided outwith the private sec…

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government policy on the use of the private sector is very clear in we expect the funding approved by the Scottish Parliament for the NHS is used to build sustainable capacity in NHS Scotland. NHS board have plans in place to increase their capac…

2 Sep 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the number of local jobs that have been created as a result of the construction works for the Forth replacement crossing.

17 Jun 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it will cost to repair the defects in roads in Fife.

13 May 2013 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last had discussions with relevant officials concerning flooding in Fife.

7 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the standards of services that are required from each provider of hairpieces.

Answer · Alex Neil: The information requested is not held centrally. National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, advise that the Minimum Standard Customer Service expected from each contract supplier was stated within the NP506/13 Wigs Contract. These are…

7 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has given to NHS boards on the provision of hairpieces and related services.

Answer · Alex Neil: The most recent Scottish Government guidance relating to the provision of wigs, which is still extant, is contained at Annex A of NHS Circular PCA (P)7 M3 (2008). This was published in March 2008 and is available online at: http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/pca/P…

7 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what weighting it gave to the provision of modern, well-decorated premises and access for disabled people when evaluating salon providers of hairpieces.

Answer · Alex Neil: This is a matter for National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, who advise that the NP506/13 Contract was awarded against the criteria of Cost, Quality of Premises and Health Board coverage. The Quality of Premises criteria are based…

7 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14370 by Alex Neil on 29 April 2013, how it made an assessment of patients' views when developing the tender documents for the supply of hairpieces.

Answer · Alex Neil: The information requested is not held centrally. National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, advise that the commodity advisory panel for the contract included representatives from oncology and dermatology services who helped shape the…

7 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14373 by Alex Neil on 1 May 2013, how it monitors service provision during the transition from one contract provider to another and whether it will report on any issues identified.

Answer · Alex Neil: This is a matter for National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, who advise that NHS health boards will provide patients with the options available to them about supplier provision and any issues will be fed back to National Procuremen…

7 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what emergency measures it will take to ensure the continued provision of NHS services to hairpiece users when a supplier has gone into liquidation.

Answer · Alex Neil: National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, advise that under the current Wigs contract which expires on 31 May 2013, there were three suppliers that were able to provide services in place of Turvey’s, with one of those suppliers buyin…

7 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14374 by Alex Neil on 1 May 2013, what consideration it has given to stipulating in the contract that all chemotherapy patients and people with alopecia must have services related to hairpieces provided within a reasonable travelling distance and wh…

Answer · Alex Neil: This is a matter for National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, who advise that the new Wigs and associated services contract was awarded to an increased number of suppliers, with a view to improving the coverage of NHS Health boards …

7 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it assists patients to deal with the issues involved when there is a change in hairpiece supplier.

Answer · Alex Neil: This is a matter for National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, which advise that the NP506 wigs contract must be tendered in line with EU Procurement Legislation timescales, and will be re-tendered at least every four years with the …

7 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS Fife will have access to an agency in Fife supplying services related to hairpieces from 1 June 2013.

Answer · Alex Neil: National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, advise that under the new contract for wigs and associated hairpieces from 1 June 2013, there will be one agent located within Fife, namely Sutherlands Hair and Beauty based in Newport-on-Tay…

7 May 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has offered to provide a wheelchair lift for any suppliers of hairpieces.

Answer · Alex Neil: National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, advise that the new contract for wigs and associated services was tendered on the basis that suppliers and the agents must meet essential features for their premises. It is the responsibility…

19 Apr 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that patients receiving chemotherapy are measured for wigs and have them provided within three weeks of starting chemotherapy and that this timescale is not disrupted by any change in supplier.

Answer · Alex Neil: The implementation of the new Wigs and Associated Services Contract is the responsibility of the NHS boards, they will monitor the performance of each of the suppliers against the contract terms and conditions.

19 Apr 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures a seamless transition for patients requiring hairpieces when there is a change in supplier.

Answer · Alex Neil: National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland has advised that the Wigs and Associated Services contract was awarded in April 2013, with a commencement date of 1 June 2013. The current contract runs to 31 May 2013 and of the four incumben…

19 Apr 2013 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to ensure the (a) propriety and (b) professionalism of all parties in the tender process for the procurement of NHS hairpieces.

Answer · Alex Neil: National Procurement, a division of NHS National Services Scotland, had advised that the latest contract for Wigs and Associated Services was tendered in line with the standard National Procurement process that is based on the Scottish Government Procurement …