Jackie Baillie

15 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to continue to allocate funding to colleges through More Choices, More Chances.

Answer · Keith Brown: This year we are providing almost £600 million in resource funding for colleges, a record level of support and evidence of this administration''s continued commitment to our further education sector.</p> <p >In his strategic letter of guidance to the Scotti…

11 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the NHS in Scotland will follow the lead of the NHS in England by measuring and publishing the cost of physical inactivity at the local level, for example by NHS board, local authority or community planning partnership area.

Answer · Shona Robison: Physical activity levels are measured and published annually via the Scottish Health Survey. We have no plans to routinely measure the cost of physical inactivity.</p>

11 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much physical inactivity costs the NHS in Scotland in relation to (a) lower gastrointestinal cancer, (b) breast cancer, (c) diabetes, (d) coronary heart disease and (e) cerebrovascular disease.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-34444 on 21 June 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business…

11 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it is measuring the cost of physical inactivity across Scotland and in what format it (a) publishes and (b) will in future publish this information.

Answer · Shona Robison: Physical activity levels are measured and published annually via the Scottish Health Survey. We do not routinely measure the cost of physical inactivity.</p>

11 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it estimates the total cost of physical inactivity in Scotland to be.

Answer · Shona Robison: The National Physical Activity Strategy, <i >Let''s Make Scotland More Active</i> was published in 2003. As part of the development of that strategy it was estimated that £85.2 million could be saved if levels of inactivity were reduced by 1% each year for th…

10 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-33643 by Nicola Sturgeon on 7 June 2010, whether it will provide an exact number, to the nearest 100, of the people it expects to be employed in the NHS as of 1 April 2011.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Numbers of people working in the NHS as at April 2011 will be published in the normal manner.</p>

10 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-33665 by Nicola Sturgeon on 7 June 2010, what the likely cost of voluntary severance is based on workforce planning projections for individual NHS boards in 2010-11 and what the impact will be on future years.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not centrally held.</p>

10 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-33664 by Nicola Sturgeon on 7 June 2010, whether it will define small scale in the context of over 4,000 job losses in the NHS.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The reference to small scale was not made in relation to the overall projected staff changes in NHSScotland. The reference is in relation to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Grampian who are considering voluntary severance for a small number of their tot…

10 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-33664 by Nicola Sturgeon on 7 June 2010, what funding will be set aside for the voluntary severance schemes in NHS (a) Greater Glasgow and Clyde and (b) Grampian.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: No funding is being set aside centrally for the voluntary severance schemes that are being considered by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Grampian.</p> <p >Boards have been advised that, when planning for service redesign or other organisational change…

10 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-33663 by Nicola Sturgeon on 7 June 2010, when the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing and (b) Health Directorate held discussions with NHS boards on the specific issue of workforce planning or voluntary severance.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Scottish Government Health Directorates officials and I hold regular meetings with chairs and senior managers of NHS boards, at which a range of issues are discussed, including workforce planning and staff management.</p>

10 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-33651 by Nicola Sturgeon on 7 June 2010, when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing became aware of the content of the workforce planning projections for 2010-11 submitted to the Scottish Government by NHS boards.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I am kept advised of developing NHS board workforce projections on an ongoing basis.</p>

10 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it relies on self-assessment by NHS boards to monitor their performance against the Staff Governance Standard.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The self assessment audit tool (SAAT) associated with the Staff Governance Standard is one element of the monitoring process. This tool is supplemented by a staff governance action plan that is formulated in partnership with trade unions/professional organisa…

10 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the policy on paternal leave for NHS employees is and how it is monitored.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Policy on Paternal Leave for NHS Employees is part of the Supporting Work Life Balance Partnership Information Network (PIN) Policy.</p> <p >This policy recognises that fathers (including same-sex partners) and adoptive parents have a need and desire to…

10 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the family-friendly policies for NHS employees are and how they are monitored.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Family Friendly Policies for NHS Scotland employees are covered in the Supporting Work Life Balance Partnership Information Network (PIN) Policy. This policy can be found at <a href="http://www.staffgovernance.scot.nhs.uk/partnership/partnership-informati…

10 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the implementation of all Partnership Information Network policies in the NHS.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Implementation of the Partnership Information Network (PIN) Policies is monitored via the Staff Governance Standard monitoring arrangements that take place each year, including the completion by NHS boards of the self assessment audit tool.</p> <p >Local iss…

2 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what services are available to help young people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy make the transition from childhood to adulthood

Answer · Shona Robison: A new transition clinic in Glasgow has been established, along with young adult neuromuscular clinics in Dundee and Aberdeen.</p> <p >A working group of the network has been looking at the general issue of the transition from child to adult services, with an…

2 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to meet the Translational Research in Europe – Assessment and Treatment of Neuromuscular Diseases (TREAT-NMD) international standards of care on the diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Muscle Network (SMN) has been working on standards of care for the medical management of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), as well as standards for those with myotonic dystrophy. These draw on the Translational Research in Europe “ Assessment an…

2 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what care and support are provided for children and young people with muscular dystrophy.

Answer · Shona Robison: Services in Scotland are provided by five paediatric centres in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Inverness and Glasgow, with Glasgow currently developing a shared care model with the local District General Hospitals in the west of Scotland. These centres provide …

2 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the outcome is of the Scottish Muscle Network’s review of neuromuscular services, announced in September 2009.

Answer · Shona Robison: I understand the Scottish Muscle Network expects to complete the report of its strategic review during the summer.</p>

2 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the National Group on Infertility has met and whether minutes and papers for the meeting will be published.

Answer · Shona Robison: The National Infertility Group, Chaired by Ian Crichton, Chief Executive of NHS National Services Scotland, met for the first time on 28 April 2010. All papers, including minutes, once cleared by the National Infertility Group, will be placed on the Maternity…

2 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who the members of the National Group on Infertility are.

Answer · Shona Robison: The National Infertility Group is Chaired by Ian Crichton, Chief Executive of NHS National Services Scotland. Membership of the Group includes Infertility Network Scotland, clinical and service management staff from NHS boards across Scotland, and Scottish Go…

2 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the National Group on Infertility was established.

Answer · Shona Robison: The National Infertility Group, Chaired by Ian Crichton, Chief Executive of NHS National Services Scotland, met for the first time on 28 April 2010.</p>

2 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-28469 by Nicola Sturgeon on 5 November 2009, whether the audit of facilities for storing excess soiled bedding and clothing is now complete.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: As referred to in my answer to S3W-28469, testing of the estates monitoring tool began in January 2010. This work is currently being evaluated, but the tool is a complex one and it is important to ensure that it is fit for purpose and robust before it is full…

2 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many midwives accessed the one year job guarantee scheme in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The number of newly qualified midwives who have accessed the One Year Job Guarantee Scheme in 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 is set out in the following table.</p> <p >One Year Job Guarantee Scheme - Midwifery</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 …

2 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many vacancies for midwives were advertised in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This is a matter for NHS Scotland boards, which have fully delegated authority over recruitment, including the advertising of vacancies. This information is not held centrally.</p>

2 Jun 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many midwives graduated in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The number of midwives graduating in 2007-08 and 2008-09 is set out in the following table. The figures for 2009-10 are not yet available.</p> <p >Graduate Midwives</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td width=71 valign=top > <p …

20 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how NHS boards ensure that disabled employees are treated fairly regarding absences that they may be forced to take as a result of their disability.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: All NHS boards are expected to comply with the statutory requirements in respect of disabled people.<s></s></p> <p >In addition, NHS boards have the autonomy to adopt policies which are appropriate to local need. NHSScotland has a range of progressive polici…

20 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS boards have a policy on disability leave.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: All NHS boards are expected to comply with the statutory requirements in respect of disabled people.</p> <p >NHS24 is the only NHS board which has a specific policy in respect of leave for disabled employees. NHS24 are piloting this policy and will provide f…

17 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to enact the provisions in the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 that will allow parents to make placing requests for provision in other local authority areas.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2009 is scheduled to commence on 14 November 2010 and will allow parents of children with additional support needs and young persons with additional support needs, including those with co-ordinate…

17 May 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be set aside for voluntary severance payments in the NHS in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: No specific funding is made available for voluntary severance payments in NHSScotland. NHS boards receive an allocation to meet the healthcare needs of their resident population. It is for boards to decide how best to utilise this funding to meet national and…