Irene Oldfather

25 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list any fines incurred in relation to non-compliance of transposition of EU directives in each of the last two years, broken down by directive.

Answer · Michael Russell: No fines have been incurred in relation to non-compliance of transposition of EU directives in the last two years.</p>

25 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many reasoned opinions, under Article 226 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, relating to the transposition of EU legislation in Scotland have been received in each of the last five years, broken down by directive.

Answer · Michael Russell: Our records indicate the following:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td width=44 nowrap valign=bottom > <p align=center >Year</p> </td> <td width=113 nowrap valign=bottom > <p align=center >Infraction Case Number</p> …

25 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many letters, under Article 226 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, relating to the transposition of EU legislation in Scotland have been received in each of the last five years, broken down by directive.

Answer · Michael Russell: Our records indicate the following:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td width=44 nowrap valign=bottom > <p align=center >Year</p> </td> <td width=101 nowrap valign=bottom > <p align=center >Infraction Cas…

11 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many replies to the GP patient access survey contained yes/no answers.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The GP patient access survey asked about patient experience of both 48 hour access and advance access. The answers were coded into yes and no responses using a coding scheme agreed amongst survey stakeholders. Details of this, the questionnaire and the survey…

11 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many replies were received to the GP patient access survey, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) community health partnership.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: A total of 269,186 replies were received for the Scottish GP patient access survey. Tables of the breakdown by (a) NHS board (Bib. number 48445) and (b) community health partnership (Bib. number 48444) have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information C…

11 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many reminders were sent out with regard to the GP patient access survey, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) community health partnership.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: A total of 386,990 first reminders were sent out for the Scottish GP patient access survey, and a further 275,244 follow-up reminders. Tables of the breakdown by (a) NHS board (Bib. number 48445) and (b) community health partnership (Bib. number 48444) have b…

11 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the initial response rate was for the GP patient access survey, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) community health partnership.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The initial response rate to the Scottish GP patient access survey was 26%. Tables of the breakdown by (a) NHS board (Bib. number 48445) and (b) community health partnership (Bib. number 48444) have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.</…

11 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many GP patient access survey forms were issued, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) community health partnership.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: A total of 543,246 forms were sent out for the Scottish GP patient access survey. Tables of the breakdown by (a) NHS board (Bib. number 48445) and (b) community health partnership (Bib. number 48444) have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Cen…

11 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to raise awareness of the second round of applications for the Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

Answer · Alex Neil: The second round of applications to the Fund has been widely publicised, and promoted in a number of ways.</p> <p >Our website includes full details. I have ensured that all MSPs, Community Planning Partnerships, Town Centre Managers, Local Authorities, Busi…

11 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what stakeholders applied to the Town Centre Regeneration Fund before the 5 June 2009 deadline.

Answer · Alex Neil: I can confirm that 133 applications were received for the Town Centre Regeneration Fund before the 5 June 2009 deadline. Lead applicants included local authorities, third sector groups, local chambers of commerce, and businesses. In many cases the lead appli…

11 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for the Town Centre Regeneration Fund were received after the first deadline of 5 June 2009.

Answer · Alex Neil: I can confirm that no applications have been received after the first deadline of the 5 June 2009.</p>

9 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued in relation to staff caring for older people in the event of an influenza A(H1N1) epidemic.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-24672 on 17 June 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament…

9 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to assist the containment of influenza A(H1N1) in care homes.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-24672 on 17 June 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament…

9 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to protecting vulnerable older people in the community in relation to influenza A(H1N1).

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-24672 on 17 June 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament…

9 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to protect vulnerable older people in care homes in relation to influenza A(H1N1).

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: To assist local authorities and independent community care providers in planning for pandemic influenza, the Scottish Government issued two publications in November 2007:</p> <p ><i >Planning for pandemic influenza in community care: an operational and strat…

4 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to attract people to Ayrshire as part of Homecoming Scotland.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government is committed to the effective marketing of Homecoming and the Homecoming theme runs through VisitScotland''s entire marketing campaign. Marketing started in 2007 targeted at 40 countries around the world, as well as the UK and Scottish…

4 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been an increase in the number of tourists visiting Ayrshire as a result of Homecoming Scotland.

Answer · Jim Mather: One of the core aims of Homecoming Scotland is to deliver additional tourism visits and revenue for Scotland. An extensive and robust monitoring and evaluation process is underway to measure the impact of Homecoming Scotland. The results of this exercise will…

4 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed the economic impact of Homecoming Scotland in (a) Ayrshire and (b) North Ayrshire since January 2009.

Answer · Jim Mather: One of the core aims of Homecoming Scotland is to deliver additional tourism visits and revenue for Scotland. An extensive and robust monitoring and evaluation process is underway to measure the impact of Homecoming Scotland. The results of this exercise will…

4 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the Care Commission and Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland’s report, Remember, I’m still me, what importance it places on the need for quiet areas for people with dementia in care homes and what guidance it has issued to ensure that noise levels are not high.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-24576 on 12 June 2009. 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/Apps2/B…

4 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the Care Commission and Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland’s report, Remember, I’m still me, what action it is taking to ensure that covert medication for care home residents with dementia is undertaken legally.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-24576 on 12 June 2009. 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/Apps2/B…

4 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the Care Commission and Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland’s report, Remember, I’m still me, what guidance it has issued on the importance of ensuring that the likes and dislikes of care home residents with dementia are recorded as fully as possible.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-24576 on 12 June. 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/Apps2/Busine…

4 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the Care Commission and Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland’s report, Remember, I’m still me, what guidance it has issued on the importance of ensuring that care home residents with dementia have detailed personal plans.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-24576 on 12 June. 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/Apps2/Busine…

4 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the Care Commission and Scottish Mental Welfare Commission Scotland’s report, Remember, I’m still me, what importance it places on ensuring that there is sufficient stimulation and activity for care home residents with dementia.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-24576 on 12 June. 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/Apps2/Busine…

4 Jun 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the Care Commission and Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland’s report, Remember, I’m still me, what guidance it has issued with regard to allowing care home residents with dementia the opportunity to be taken outside.

Answer · Shona Robison: The National Care Standards for care homes were published in November 2001 and set out what residents in care homes can expect from the provider. The standards cover such things as personal plans and what should be recorded in them, indoor and outdoor activit…

29 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the Parliament’s Cross-party Group on Alzheimer’s can contribute to the development of the national strategy on dementia.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Cross Party Group on Alzheimer''s will be one of the many organisations whose views will be sought on the content of the Strategy when this becomes available for consultation later this summer.</p> <p >If the Cross Party Group would like to provide views…

29 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it sees a role for the charter of rights being developed by the Parliament’s Cross-party Group on Alzheimer’s in informing the recommendations for the development of a national strategy on dementia.

Answer · Shona Robison: The care and treatment of those with mental illness is governed by existing laws, including laws promoting and protecting their rights. In addition, those with mental illness should receive care and treatment delivered in accordance with the principles set ou…

29 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the role of the dementia forum will be in the development of a national strategy for dementia.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-24446 on 11 June 2009. 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/Apps2/B…

29 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm the commitment made by the Minister for Public Health and Sport on Good Morning Scotland on 28 May 2009 that adequate additional resources would be made available to implement a national strategy for dementia.

Answer · Shona Robison: I have said that resource issues will be considered as part of the work to develop a Dementia Strategy for Scotland and that remains the case.</p>

29 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to discuss with Alzheimer Scotland how its Words into Action on Dementia consultation with carers and people with dementia that will inform the work of the Cross-party Group on Alzheimer’s could be used to shape the development of the national strategy on dementia.

Answer · Shona Robison: As Alzheimer Scotland is represented on the Dementia Forum of experts<i > </i>in dementia care that offer<i > </i>advice to the Scottish Government on driving the dementia priority agenda forward, it will be involved in the development of the Dementia Strateg…

29 May 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for agreeing a national strategy for dementia.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-24446 on 11 June 2009. 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/Apps2/B…