Parliamentary questions
Jackie Baillie
9,397 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
16 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards provide training for perfusionists.
Answer · Alex Neil: There are three centres in NHSScotland capable of providing training for perfusionsits; in NHS Grampian, NHS Lothian and the Golden Jubilee Hospital.
16 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether any NHS board has a recruitment and retention premium for perfusionists.
Answer · Alex Neil: NHS Lothian currently has a recruitment and retention premium in place for its clinical perfusionist staff.
16 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many locum perfusionists each NHS board has employed and at what cost, in each year since 2007-08.
Answer · Alex Neil: The information requested on how many locum perfusionists employed by each NHS board and at what cost is not centrally held.
16 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many training places have been funded for perfusionists each year for the next five years.
Answer · Alex Neil: There are three centres within NHSScotland boards which are capable of providing training places for perfusionists; in NHS Grampian, NHS Lothian and at the Golden Jubilee Hospital (GJH). Of these, only the GJH is projecting a need for one trainee perfusionist…
16 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS perfusionists are due to retire in the next five years.
Answer · Alex Neil: In accordance with current legislation we can no longer presume a retiral age as this is discriminatory. Information relating to the numbers of NHS perfusionists retiring in the next five years is not, therefore available.
16 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the on-call rotas for perfusionists are in each NHS board.
Answer · Alex Neil: This information is not held centrally.
16 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many perfusionists are employed by each NHS board and how many vacant posts there are.
Answer · Alex Neil: Information on perfusionists (clinical perfusion physiologist services) staff in post by NHS board is presented in the following table. Clinical perfusion physiologists by NHS Board as at 31st December 2012 Whole Time Equivalent Headcount National Waiti…
16 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the pay banding is for perfusionists in Scotland and what information it has on the pay bandings in (a) England and (b) Wales.
Answer · Alex Neil: There are a range of job profiles available for perfusionist staff in Scotland from Band 5 to Band 8c, the banding outcome is dependent on job profiles. We understand there are a similar range of profiles for the post in England and Wales.
14 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what specific knowledge and understanding of the NHS the current chairperson of NHS Lothian has.
Answer · Alex Neil: During the appointment process Mr Houston had to demonstrate an understanding of what the residents of Edinburgh and the Lothians expect of Lothian NHS Board. Mr Houston is currently undertaking a full induction programme that will see him meet senior Scottis…
14 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing knew the current chairperson of NHS Lothian prior to his appointment.
Answer · Alex Neil: The first contact I had with Mr Houston was during the process of finalising my decision on the appointment of the new Chairperson of NHS Lothian.
14 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a requirement for someone to live or work in a NHS board area in order to be appointed as chairperson of that board.
Answer · Alex Neil: Yes. All territorial NHS boards require applicants to live or work within the NHS Board Area. Special Health Boards require applicants to live or work within Scotland.
14 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what criteria apply for the appointment of a chairperson to a NHS board.
Answer · Alex Neil: The criteria for appointing a chairperson to an NHS board varies depending on the challenges and needs of the recruiting board. The skills of leadership, organisational change, strategy development and improvement alongside ensuring effective Performance are …
10 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether any recommendations arising from the commission to examine the policies and practices in place for handling ashes and cremated remains will have legislative underpinning.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Commission’s remit includes considering existing legislation, with particular reference to the Cremation Act 1902 and the Cremation (Scotland) Regulations 1935, in order to identify gaps, inconsistencies and weaknesses and to make recommendations on what …
10 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is considering prosecutions in relation to the inappropriate disposal of baby ashes at crematoria.
Answer · Lesley Thomson: The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service have not received any criminal reports regarding the inappropriate disposal of baby ashes in any crematoria.
10 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what legislation applies to the disposal of ashes at crematoria.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The principal legislation which applies to the disposal of ashes at crematoria is the Cremation (Scotland) Regulations 1935. Specifically, Regulation 17 sets out the legal requirements when disposing of ashes following a cremation.
10 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether witnesses involved in the retention of baby ashes by crematoria will be compelled to appear before the commission to examine the policies and practices in place for handling ashes and cremated remains.
Answer · Michael Matheson: It is not expected that the Commission will need to compel witnesses to give evidence. All key stakeholder organisations involved in the management of crematoria and the handling of cremations are represented on the Commission and have accepted the remit.
10 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it will not establish a public inquiry into the retention of baby ashes by crematoria.
Answer · Michael Matheson: It is important we learn lessons quickly to ensure no bereaved parent or relative ever again goes through the additional distress caused by this type of experience. A full public inquiry would be likely to take several years to complete its work, which would…
10 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the projected cost is of the commission to examine the policies and practices in place for handling ashes and cremated remains.
Answer · Michael Matheson: SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT WRITTEN ANSWER 30 May 2013 Index Heading: Health and Social Care Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what the projected cost is of the commission to examine the policies and practices in place f…
10 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether individual cases will be considered by the commission to examine the policies and practices in place for handling ashes and cremated remains.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The investigation of specific incidents or allegations relating to any particular cremation or crematorium remains the responsibility of the relevant cremation authority or, if applicable, the police or Procurator Fiscal service. The Commission has now issue…
10 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government who will be responsible for implementing recommendations made by the commission to examine the policies and practices in place for handling ashes and cremated remains.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Commission has been asked to report to Scottish Government by the end of 2013. Responsibility for implementing its recommendations will depend on the detail of each recommendation. Recommendations around professional guidance or practice may be for Scott…
10 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12534 by Alex Neil on 27 February 2013, whether the cabinet secretary has met Earl Howe and, if so, when.
Answer · Alex Neil: I am due to meet with Earl Howe on 3 July 2013.
10 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-12535 by Alex Neil on 27 February 2013, how many meetings have been held and who attended each meeting.
Answer · Alex Neil: The on-going negotiations on the replacement to the current Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme involve the UK Government and Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry.
10 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14507 by Alex Neil on 8 May 2013, when these meetings took place.
Answer · Alex Neil: Meetings with officials All groups include housing association representatives, and all discuss health and social care integration in relation to their interests. Older People’s Housing Strategy Monitoring and Advisory Group (former Wider Planning for an Ag…
10 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14511 by Alex Neil on 8 May 2013, how many adults up to retirement age are recorded as delayed discharges.
Answer · Alex Neil: At the January 2013 Delayed Discharge census the number of adults aged 18-65 recorded as delayed discharges was 110, comprising of 58 standard and 52 code nine delays. Code 9 delays are patients who are delayed due to circumstances out with the control of ei…
10 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14488 by Margaret Burgess on 8 May 2013, what the estimated cost is of rehousing a homeless (a) family of two adults and two children and (b) single adult.
Answer · Margaret Burgess: As explained in the answer to question S4W-14488 on 8 May 2013, total costs involved in rehousing homeless households are variable and depending on a range of individual and local circumstances. It is not possible for the Scottish Government to produce meanin…
10 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14486 by Margaret Burgess on 8 May 2013, on how many other occasions the minister has (a) met and (b) written to a UK minister regarding welfare reform and when.
Answer · Margaret Burgess: SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT WRITTEN ANSWER 28 May 2013 Index Heading: Governance and Communities Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14486 by Margaret Burgess on 8 May 2013, on how m…
10 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14491 by Nicola Sturgeon on 7 May 2013, how it determined the budget allocation for local authorities.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12761 on 25 February 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamenta…
10 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-13806 by Alex Neil on 15 April 2013 and in light of paragraphs 5.14 and 5.15 of the code of conduct, whether it considers it appropriate for a member of Health Improvement Scotland's board not to register the employment of a family member in the org…
Answer · Alex Neil: All members of NHS boards are expected to carry out their responsibilities in line with the board members’ code of conduct. The Scottish Government expects board members to take responsibility for ensuring that the register of interests is accurate, and for b…
9 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) better understand and (b) tackle deliberate self-poisoning.
Answer · Michael Matheson: In late 2012, the Scottish Government set up a working group to consider future strategy and action on prevention of suicide and self harm, in the context that the Choose Life, strategy and action plan is approaching the end of its 10 year lifetime. This incl…
9 May 2013 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness of the long-term organ damage that can be caused by misuse of painkillers.
Answer · Alex Neil: The safety of medicines is currently a reserved matter with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) having responsibility across the UK. I understand from the MHRA that information on possible side effects which may occur in associatio…