Parliamentary questions
Jackie Baillie
9,397 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will address the NHS maintenance backlog of over £1 billion as outlined in the Audit Scotland report, NHS financial performance 2011/12.
Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W–11040 on 22 November 2012. 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…
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the scale of risk of the NHS maintenance backlog of over £1 billion as outlined in the Audit Scotland report, NHS financial performance 2011/12.
Answer · Alex Neil: The NHS maintenance backlog figure of over £1 billion outlined in the Audit Scotland report covers properties that are to be retained and those designated as surplus for disposal. Around 20% of the current backlog maintenance expenditure requirement is in bui…
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-09936 by John Swinney on 25 October 2012, what the annual cost would be of an increase in NHS employer pension contributions from 13.5% to 14%.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government has estimated that the annual cost would be approximately £21 million.
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-09936 by John Swinney on 25 October 2012, for what reason the NHS employer pension contribution is 13.5% in Scotland when it is 14% in England and Wales.
Answer · John Swinney: The employer contribution rate for the NHS pension scheme in Scotland was set at 13.5% based upon the last actuarial investigation report, published by the Government Actuary Department (GAD) in July 2008. This report was based upon data, methodology and assu…
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost to the economy from lost working days as a result of rheumatoid arthritis.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The information that would inform a comprehensive assessment is not held centrally. The Scottish Government wishes to minimise the impact of long-term conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis on the economy; firstly by appropriate prevention and treatment and …
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board has spent on patients with rheumatoid arthritis who (a) self-manage and (b) do not self-manage their condition in each year since 2007.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The information is not collected or held centrally to the level of detail requested.
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans there are to introduce a national register of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Answer · Michael Matheson: There are no plans to establish a registry of rheumatoid arthritis patients in Scotland.
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Department of Work and Pensions regarding how many adults are claiming employment and support allowance in Scotland as a result of rheumatoid arthritis.
Answer · Michael Matheson: We hold regular discussions with the UK Government at Ministerial and official level on welfare matters. There have been no discussions with the Department for Work and Pensions in relation to how many adults are claiming Employment and Support Allowance in S…
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans there are to conduct a cost analysis of the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and the potential cost savings of early and targeted treatment of the condition.
Answer · Michael Matheson: We have shared the Health Care Needs Assessment of Services for Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis, conducted by the Scottish Public Health Network at our request, with NHS boards and have invited comments on the report and its recommendations. This includes Pa…
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many referrals to rheumatologists have come from (a) community pharmacists and (b) physiotherapists in each year since 2007, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The information requested is not available centrally. Information is only available on the number of referrals from all sources.
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government where ultimate responsibility lies for the implementation of the recommendations in Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guideline 123.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guidelines are recommended to NHS Scotland and should be taken into account when services are being developed. Implementation of SIGN guidelines is the responsibility of NHS boards and their operating divisio…
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how NHS boards are supported and encouraged to implement Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guideline 123.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Implementation of national clinical guidelines is the responsibility of each NHS board and is an essential part of clinical governance. Local mechanisms should therefore be in place to review care provided against guideline recommendations. The reasons for an…
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms are in place to review care provided against the recommendations of Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guideline 123.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Implementation of national clinical guidelines is the responsibility of each NHS board and is an essential part of clinical governance. Local mechanisms should therefore be in place to review care provided against guideline recommendations. The reasons for an…
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to monitor (a) NHS boards' implementation and (b) the effectiveness of Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guideline 123 in relation to the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The recently published Health Care Needs Assessment for Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis (HCNA) was conducted by the Scottish Public Health Network (SPHN) at the Scottish Government’s request to obtain an update on the provision of services, taking account of…
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to raise public awareness regarding the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and the importance of consulting a GP as early as possible.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the question S4W-10481 answered on 6 November 2012. 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/parliamentarybu…
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of variations across (a) clinical care teams, (b) hospitals and (c) NHS boards in the provision of care for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Answer · Michael Matheson: As the member will be aware the report entitled Health Care Needs Assessment of Services for Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis (HCNA) was conducted by the Scottish Public Health Network (SPHN) at the Scottish Government’s request, to provide an update to a pre…
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of NHS boards’ ability to meet the recommendations in the Scottish Public Health Network's report, Health Care Needs Assessment of Services for Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-11016 on 21 November 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/…
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS boards regarding the implementation of the recommendations in the Scottish Public Health Network's report, Health Care Needs Assessment of Services for Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government circulated the Health Care Needs Assessment to NHS boards to afford them the opportunity to consider and comment on its content and recommendations. Once views have been gathered we consider any actions that may be required to support …
8 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action is planned in response to the recommendations in the Scottish Public Health Network's report, Health Care Needs Assessment of Services for Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The recently published Health Care Needs Assessment (HCNA) on Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) was conducted by the Scottish Public Health Network at the request of the Scottish Government. It outlines current RA service provisions across Scotland and makes a number…
7 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had discussions with the UK Government in relation to the activities of Jimmy Savile in Scotland.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Responsibility for assessing and investigating allegations of criminal activity in Scotland rests with the relevant police force. The Scottish Government maintains close liaison with the police, local authorities, child protection committees, health boards an…
7 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards have involved Jimmy Savile in fundraising or promotional activity and whether this is now subject to an investigation by the police.
Answer · Alex Neil: NHS Dumfries and Galloway has confirmed that Jimmy Savile attended a public fund raising event in 1977. Whilst the responsibility for assessing and investigating allegations of criminal activity in Scotland rests with the relevant police force, NHS Dumfries a…
6 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans there are to take forward the revalidation of doctors.
Answer · Alex Neil: Medical Revalidation is overseen by the General Medical Council (GMC), with commencement of the regulatory aspects reserved to the Secretary of State for Health. The Scottish Government has worked in partnership with a range of stakeholders to ensure Scotland…
5 Nov 2012 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures have been performed in Scotland since the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing announced that these would be made routinely available.
5 Nov 2012 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what steps it is taking to improve treatment for people with dementia.
2 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what flexibility local authorities have in making housing benefit payments for foster and kinship carers and what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the Department of Work and Pensions on this matter.
Answer · Margaret Burgess: Housing benefit policy is reserved to the UK Government. Our position is that only independence will provide the Scottish Government with effective control over welfare matters. However we have made our concerns about the impact of the UK Government’s under o…
1 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the national lead clinician for chronic pain will complete and publish the review of specialist services that are delivered by the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Lead Clinician and the National Chronic Pain Steering Group are currently exploring a range of options for the provision of specialist chronic pain services. These will be discussed at a meeting scheduled with National Services Division of NHS National Se…
1 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the data underpinning the Healthcare Improvement Scotland report, Update Report on Scottish Pain Management Services.
Answer · Michael Matheson: There are currently no plans for Scottish Government to publish the data underpinning Healthcare Improvement Scotlands’ update report on Scottish Pain Management Services.
1 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will develop a HEAT target in relation to chronic pain services.
Answer · Michael Matheson: There are no plans to introduce a HEAT target in relation to chronic pain services this year. The Scottish Government reviews HEAT targets on an annual basis with decisions on new targets based on evidence and impact. The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines …
1 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what monitoring framework is in place to track progress in chronic pain services in (a) primary and (b) acute care.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The National Chronic Pain Steering Group continues to work closely with NHS Boards to seek updates on the progress in implementing the Scottish Service Model for Chronic Pain. NHS Boards that have or are establishing service improvement groups/Managed Clinica…
1 Nov 2012 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) adults and (b) children are served by each territorial NHS board.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Estimates of the numbers of adults and children usually resident in each Scottish health board area at 30 June 2011 are given in the following table. Estimated Population of Scotland, mid-2011 NHS Board areas Adults (18+) Children (0-17) All Ages Ayrshi…