Parliamentary questions

Jackie Baillie

9,397 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a paramedic in every Scottish Ambulance Service ambulance crew.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-33017 on 23 April 2010. 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/parliamentaryb…

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether attendance at an emergency call by a Rapid Response Unit counts as part of the target emergency response time.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Yes, the arrival on scene of a paramedic response unit (sometimes referred to as a rapid response unit) counts as part of the emergency response time. I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-33014 on 23 April 2010. All answers to written parliamenta…

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) average and (b) longest wait has been for an ambulance after a call has been attended by a Rapid Response Unit in each year since 2007-08.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held centrally.

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many ambulances attending calls from Old Kilpatrick have had an end destination of the (a) Western General, (b) Royal Alexandra and (c) Vale of Leven hospital in each year since 2007-08.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held centrally.

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many times ambulances from (a) Clydebank and (b) Vale of Leven ambulance station have attended calls in Old Kilpatrick in each year since 2007-08.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held centrally.

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scottish Ambulance Service ambulances are based at (a) Clydebank and (b) Vale of Leven ambulance station.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Ambulance Service has provided the following table setting out rostered resources based at Clydebank Ambulance Station. Resource Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Day shift A&E Ambulance 4 5 6 5 5 3 3 Back Shift A&E Ambulance 2 1…

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many calls received by the Scottish Ambulance Service between 6 October 2010 and 18 January 2011 were categorised as (a) red, (b) yellow and (c) amber.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held centrally.

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many calls received by the Scottish Ambulance Service between 1 July 2010 and 1 October 2010 were categorised as (a) red, (b) yellow and (c) amber.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held centrally.

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many calls received by the Scottish Ambulance Service between 1 July 2011 and 1 October 2011 were categorised as (a) red, (b) yellow and (c) amber.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held centrally.

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many calls received by the Scottish Ambulance Service between 6 October 2011 and 18 January 2012 were categorised as (a) red, (b) yellow and (c) amber.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Emergency calls to the Scottish Ambulance Service are not categorised under these operational definitions, I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-05187 on 6 February 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliamen…

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual cost of the settlement on rest breaks in the Scottish Ambulance Service will be from January 2012.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: It is anticipated the annual cost of the recently announced longer term agreement will be in the region of £5 million. The transitional arrangements from 17 January 2012 to the end of June 2012 are anticipated to cost £1.875 million at most. Although the quic…

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been paid in overtime in the Scottish Ambulance Service since April 2011.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Ambulance Service has advised that overtime payments covering hours worked between April and December 2011 total £6,218,303. Overtime is generally paid one month in arrears so overtime incurred in December is paid in January.

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much was paid in (a) availability and (b) disturbance payments during the recent Scottish Ambulance Service dispute.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Precise accounting information would need to be sought from the Scottish Ambulance Service direct but there are some 2,400 staff who were eligible for the £250 availability and the £100 ignore payments. Paying the availability payment on a pro-rata basis for …

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when all of the approximately 150 additional Scottish Ambulance Service staff announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy on 18 January 2012 will be in post.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: It is planned that the posts will be filled within 18 months. However, recruitment activity is already underway and it is anticipated that a large proportion of the staff should be in place more quickly than that.

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether calls to the Scottish Ambulance Service have been re-categorised in the last six months and whether any changes will be made following the settlement on rest breaks.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government does not collect this type of operational data. It is for the Scottish Ambulance Service to categorise calls, or re-categorise as necessary, according to the best and most up to date clinical information available. This has always been…

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what categories are used to grade calls to the Scottish Ambulance Service and what response times apply to each category.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Emergency (999) calls to the Scottish Ambulance Service are categorised as A, B and C. The national response time target for category A calls (life threatening) across mainland Scotland is that 75% of all incidents should be reached within eight minutes. Th…

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the approximately 150 additional Scottish Ambulance Service staff announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy on 18 January 2012 will be paramedics.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This will be an operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service. However, a programme board is being established to ensure a smooth implementation of the new arrangements. Current ambulance policy commits the service to ensuring that patients receive th…

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the increase in frontline Scottish Ambulance Service staff of approximately 150 announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy on 18 January 2012 will not include the number of current vacancies.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The approximately 150 jobs announced are new posts which will be created as a result of this agreement. These will be over and above any current vacancies.

25 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many paramedic vacancies there are in the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This is a matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service. The information is not held centrally.

23 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the funding allocated to NHS Grampian for HIV prevention work has been spent since the termination of the contract with the Terence Higgins Trust on 1 December 2011.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The provision of HIV prevention services, and local decisions about the use of funding, are a matter for NHS boards. The role of Government is to ensure that our policy priorities of fewer new blood-borne virus infections and fewer STIs are achieved, and that…

23 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what contingency plans are in place for HIV prevention work in NHS Grampian.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The provision of HIV prevention services is a matter for local NHS boards. The role of government is to ensure that our policy priorities of fewer new blood-borne virus infections and fewer STIs are achieved, and that individuals are not adversely affected by…

23 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been a gap in the provision of HIV prevention services in the NHS Grampian area from 1 December 2011.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The provision of HIV prevention services are a matter for local NHS boards. The role of government is to ensure that our policy priorities of fewer new blood-borne virus infections and fewer STIs are achieved, and that individual are not adversely affected by…

23 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-03303 by Michael Matheson on 2 November 2011, when NHS Grampian initiated the competitive tendering process for HIV prevention services; when it was advertised, and when a service is likely to start.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The tender for HIV prevention services in the NHS Grampian area was scheduled to be advertised on 6 February 2012, with the contract due to be awarded on 7 March 2012. The contract award notice will be published on 9 April 2012 with the expectation that the s…

23 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-03303 by Michael Matheson on 2 November 2011, what the current position is regarding the provision of HIV prevention services in NHS Grampian.

11 Jan 2012 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the 20% reduction in college budgets will have in terms of staffing, student numbers and the range of courses available.

11 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which recommendations of the independent Commission on the Funding of Care and Support, chaired by Professor Dilnot, it will take forward.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01771 on 5 August 2011. 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/parliamentaryb…

11 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish responses to, and an analysis of, its consultation on equal marriage.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Analysis of the responses to our consultation on the registration of civil partnerships and same sex marriage is currently underway. We expect to publish the analysis in the spring. Initial analysis suggests that we have received over 50,000 responses, includ…

10 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has provided to local authorities about the need to maintain funding for independent advocacy services in the last year.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Local authorities and NHS boards are responsible for ensuring that advocacy is available to all who need it within their respective areas and that resources are matched to meet these needs. The Guide to Commissioners, issued in 2010 and produced by the Scott…

10 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support it has provided for advocacy services in each year since 2007-08.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: In each year since 2005-06, £13 million has been included in the overall funding for local authorities and £5 million has been included in NHSScotland funding to help in the implementation and delivery of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act …

10 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the findings of the publication, More for Less? Independent Advocacy – More Demand, Less Funding, which predicts increased demand for advocacy services as a result of the recession.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government acknowledges the publication of this report by the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance earlier this month and will consider its findings. The report findings and recommendations will also be brought to the attention of local author…