Parliamentary questions
Irene Oldfather
1,035 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
4 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many community police officers there are.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The information is not held centrally. The allocation of specific roles, duties and designations to individual officers is a matter for chief constables.</p>
2 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in care homes were being prescribed antipsychotic medication in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007 and (d) 2008.
Answer · Shona Robison: It is not possible to provide this information. Prescription data collected centrally does not relate to the number of patients receiving treatment but to numbers and cost of prescribed items dispensed in the community by community pharmacists and dispensing …
2 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in care homes across Scotland are presently being prescribed antipsychotic medication.
Answer · Shona Robison: It is not possible to provide this information. Prescription data collected centrally do not relate to the number of patients receiving treatment but to numbers and cost of prescribed items dispensed in the community by community pharmacists and dispensing do…
2 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring it undertakes of the prescribing of antipsychotic medication in care homes.
Answer · Shona Robison: Monitoring of prescribing by GPs, including for patients in care homes who are registered with their practices, is undertaken by prescribing advisers in NHS boards.</p>
2 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Medical Research Council regarding the prescribing of antipsychotic medication to people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Executive has had no discussions with the Medical Research Council regarding the prescribing of antipsychotic medication to people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.</p>
2 Jul 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Medical Research Council regarding the prescribing of antipsychotic medication in care homes.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Executive has had no discussions with the Medical Research Council regarding the prescribing of antipsychotic medication in care homes.</p>
23 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions wards have been closed as a result of clostridium difficile infections in the last 12 months, also broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-14490 on 9 July 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…
23 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions wards have been closed as a result of hospital-acquired infections in the last 12 months, also broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS boards would notify Health Protection Scotland (HPS) of ward closures in accordance with the guidance set out in Annex 4 of the 2003 guidance document <i >Managing Incidents Presenting Actual and Potential Risks to Public Health: Guidance on Roles and Res…
19 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to NHS boards across Scotland regarding the in-house laundering of patients clothes where the patient is suffering from clostridium difficile.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11402 on 14 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/…
19 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued regarding the procedure of notification to GPs of patients discharged following a clostridium difficile infection to ensure that any relapse is dealt with urgently and appropriately.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Discharge documents completed by clinicians should follow the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) Guideline 65, and be timely and provide appropriate information of the condition of the patient, and the management undertaken whilst the patient …
19 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaths have occurred as a result of clostridium difficile in NHS Ayrshire and Arran in the last 12 months, also broken down by month.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Data for the periods April, May and June 2008 are not yet available. However, NHS Ayrshire and Arran have advised that during the period April 2007 to March 2008 there were 24 deaths in NHS Ayrshire and Arran where clostridium difficile was recorded as either…
19 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued regarding informing patients and relatives where a patient is discharged following a clostridium difficile infection.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: A national leaflet on clostridium difficle has been produced by Health Protection Scotland (HPS) and is available to NHS boards for downloading from the HPS website. Printed versions will be issued to NHS boards shortly.</p> <p >HPS consulted widely on the …
19 Jun 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of clostridium difficile have been reported by NHS Ayrshire and Arran in the last year.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Data for the month of June 2008 is not yet available. However, NHS Ayrshire and Arran have advised that during the period June 2007 to May 2008 there were 658 cases of clostridium difficile recorded in NHS Ayrshire and Arran covering all ages and settings. Th…
19 Jun 2008 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had regarding the implications for Scotland of the European Commission’s Animal Health Strategy for the European Union 2007-2013.
Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Government’s Chief Veterinary Officer and other officials have had a number of discussions with European Commission officials during the development of the Animal Health Strategy. We look forward to seeing its publication shortly.</p>
22 May 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when universities can expect to receive new guidelines regarding the manner in which discretionary funds can be used to assist students in hardship as a result of changes to student income.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Higher Education Undergraduate and Postgraduate Discretionary and Childcare Funds Guidance is updated and issued annually to all institutions. The guidance is issued at the same time that institutions are notified of their discretionary and childcare allo…
15 May 2008 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with stakeholders regarding the regeneration of the Ayrshire economy.
Answer · Jim Mather: I met with a wide cross section of Ayrshire public and private sector stakeholders on 14 January this year to discuss the opportunities for the area''s economy.</p> <p >In addition, Scottish Enterprise continues to engage with partners and stakeholders in re…
27 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether guidance is issued to relatives regarding the use of gloves, aprons or masks when decisions are taken to close hospital wards as a result of potential acquired infection.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11401 on 14 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp…
27 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering asking NHS boards to undertake in-house laundry of contaminated personal items when hospital wards are closed.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: All NHS boards currently follow the guidelines set out in the Department of Health Circular HSG (95)18: Hospital Laundry Arrangements for Used and Infected Linen. This Circular is currently under review. Each would decide, in light of the advice it receives f…
27 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with NHS boards in relation to issuing guidance to relatives when hospital wards are closed as a result of potential acquired infection.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government consulted all NHS boards on its <i >NHSScotland Code of Practice for the Local Management of Hygiene and Healthcare Associated Infection </i>(HAI). The code of practice sets out the responsibilities that NHS boards have for delivering …
19 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 requires local authorities to consult sheltered housing residents about any proposals to remove warden services.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10817 on 19 March 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp…
7 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has commissioned or it intends to commission any research into the effects on residents of the withdrawal of a warden service in sheltered housing.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government published research on sheltered housing <i >Review of Sheltered Housing in Scotland</i> in January 2008. This can be viewed at: </p> <p ><a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/01/11131906/28">www.scotland.gov.uk/Publica…
7 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it recommends that local authorities should retain a warden service in sheltered housing complexes.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Local authorities should consider the housing and support needs of older people when drawing up their Local Housing Strategies to ensure there is sufficient suitable housing and provision of support to enable older people to maintain independent living. Suppo…
7 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have fully withdrawn their sheltered housing warden service and replaced it with an electronic alarm system.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: This is a matter for local authorities. The information requested is not held centrally.</p>
7 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 compels local authorities to consult sheltered housing residents should they propose to remove certain services.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 does not make any separate provision in relation to sheltered housing. Under the act, local authorities and registered social landlords cannot vary the terms of a Scottish secure tenancy except by written agreement between the …
7 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities are expected to carry out full consultations with residents should they wish to change the terms of a tenancy agreement.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: Local authorities and registered social landlords cannot vary the terms of a Scottish secure tenancy except by written agreement between the landlord and tenant or by court order if the tenant refuses or fails to agree the variation. They must consult on any …
7 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it places on sheltered housing residents having access to a warden service.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: We recognise the valuable services wardens provide in sheltered housing schemes around Scotland, but also that there are other ways of providing support to residents of sheltered housing. In response to a number of developments, notably the EU Working Time Di…
28 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed community unit at Ayrshire Central Hospital will provide a short-stay ward for patients.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This is a matter for NHS Ayrshire and Arran.</p> <
28 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what range of facilities, such as X-ray, laboratories and physiotherapy, will be provided in the proposed community unit at Ayrshire Central Hospital.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This is a matter for NHS Ayrshire and Arran.</p>
28 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed community unit at Ayrshire Central Hospital will be staffed by a fully qualified doctor.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This is a matter for NHS Ayrshire and Arran.</p> fam
28 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it anticipates that patients will have access to the proposed community unit at Ayrshire Central Hospital.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This is a matter for NHS Ayrshire and Arran.</p>