Questions · Jackie Baillie

10 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-26853 by Nicola Sturgeon on 9 September 2009, whether the proposed expert group on infertility services will consider whether patients should be able to choose where to have IVF treatment based on waiting times.

Answer · Shona Robison: It is for individual NHS boards to decide where patients in their area receive IVF treatment. The Expert Group on Infertility Services, when formed, will consider how best to ensure equity of access to IVF across NHS boards in Scotland.

10 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22912 by Nicola Sturgeon on 6 May 2009, whether each inspection team will have a former infection control nurse.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Arrangements with regard to the composition of inspections is available from the NHS Quality Improvement Scotland website using the following link: <a href="http://www.nhshealthquality.org/nhsqis/6710.140.1366.html">http://www.nhshealthquality.org/n…

10 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22914 by Nicola Sturgeon on 6 May 2009, when the programme of inspections will be rolled out.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Announced inspections will commence on 29 September 2009. The full programme for the first year of operation has been notified to NHS boards. A programme of unannounced inspections is also being rolled out.

10 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22914 by Nicola Sturgeon on 6 May 2009, whether the pilot visits have been evaluated and, if so, whether the evaluation will be published.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Two pilot announced inspections were undertaken in the Beatson Oncology Centre (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde) and Perth Royal Infirmary (NHS Tayside) during June and July 2009. The key learning points were published on: <a href="http://www.nhshealt…

10 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22914 by Nicola Sturgeon on 6 May 2009, (a) when and (b) where the pilot visits anticipated to commence in May 2009 actually commenced.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Two pilot announced inspections were undertaken in the Beatson Oncology Centre (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde) and Perth Royal Infirmary (NHS Tayside) during June and July 2009.

10 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22915 by Nicola Sturgeon on 6 May 2009, whether the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate has published its detailed operational arrangements for undertaking inspections.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: These details can now be accessed on the NHS Quality Improvement Scotland website using the following link <a href="http://www.nhshealthquality.org/nhsqis/6710.140.1366.html">http://www.nhshealthquality.org/nhsqis/6710.140.1366.html</a>.

9 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what work has been identified in the Strategic Transport Review to improve the A82 and when this work will commence.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) has recommended a targeted programme of measures to improve road standards on the A82 between Glasgow and Oban/Fort William and reduce accident severity rates between Fort William and Inverness. In addit…

9 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what volume of traffic uses the A83 per annum.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Traffic flows on the trunk road section of the A83 range from an Average Annual Daily Flow (AADF) of 5,027 vehicles per day between Arrochar and Tarbet to 2,805 vehicles per day at Castleton, north of Tarbert. It is not possible to quantify the volume of traf…

9 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated economic cost is of the road closure on the A83 due to the recent landslip at the Rest and be Thankful.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: An economic evaluation of the recent two day closure has not been undertaken. Transport Scotland estimated that the previous twelve day closure in 2007 had a national economic cost, measured in terms of the changes in transport costs, of around £300,000 in 20…

9 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to improve the road following the recent landslip on the A83 at the Rest and be Thankful.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: This is a complex site and our key priority is the safety of the road users. An improvement scheme which is planned for next year will be reassessed following the recent landslide. Work will involve building a culvert under the road and strengthening the emba…

3 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Sandyford Hub Clinic at the Vale of Leven Hospital will offer evening opening hours.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government has been informed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that there are currently no plans to review the opening hours of the West Dunbartonshire Sexual Health Hub at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

3 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients attended the Dumbarton Health Centre Family Planning and Well Woman Clinic between January 2009 and its closure in April 2009.

Answer · Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally and is not currently available from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. I will, however, write to the member with this information as soon as the information becomes available.

3 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the anticipated number of (a) patients and (b) attendances was for the Sandyford Hub Clinic at the Vale of Leven Hospital in 2009-10 and how many patients have attended the clinic since it opened in May 2009.

Answer · Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally. However, the Scottish Government has been informed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that while greater patient and attendance numbers were expected than attended the previous service, no specific numbers were identified…

3 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the monitoring information showing (a) attendance, (b) age and (c) geographical location of patients at the Sandyford Hub Clinic at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26922 on 14 September 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/Ap…

3 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the monitoring of attendance at the Sandyford Hub Clinic at the Vale of Leven Hospital records the (a) town of residence and (b) age of the patient.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Sandyford Initiative, including the Sandyford Hubs, routinely monitor attendance, including the age and postcode of patients, using the national sexual health patient management system (NaSH). NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde introduced an additiona…

3 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the monitoring of attendance started at the Sandyford Hub Clinic at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26922 on 14 September 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/Ap…

3 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will avoid the resilience fund for the third sector displacing the loss of public sector funding.

Answer · Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26904 on 9 September 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/App…

3 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the resilience fund for the third sector will fund core frontline services.

Answer · Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26904 on 9 September 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/App…

3 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much money will be available in the resilience fund for the third sector.

Answer · Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26904 on 9 September 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/App…

3 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria must be met in order to receive assistance from the resilience fund for the third sector.

Answer · Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26904 on 9 September 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/App…

3 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the overall aim is of its resilience fund for the third sector.

Answer · Jim Mather: A roundtable discussion took place on the 14 April 2009 in St Andrews House, where ministers discussed with third sector leaders how the sector is responding to the downturn, its longer term resilience, and how to ensure the maximum alignment between governme…

2 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the threshold is at which a house is considered fuel poor under the terms of the (a) Energy Assistance Package and (b) Scottish Housing Quality Standard.

Answer · Alex Neil: A person is considered to be fuel poor if the ratio of household income required to heat their dwelling to a standard heating regime is greater than 10%. The Energy Assistance Package provides a four stage approach to helping people vulnerable to fue…

2 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the threshold for fuel poverty in the Energy Assistance Package should be the same as the measure in the Scottish Housing Quality Standard.

Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26896 on 10 September 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/Ap…

2 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the threshold for fuel poverty in the Scottish Housing Quality Standard is different to that used in the Energy Assistance Package.

Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26896 on 10 September 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/Ap…

2 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider the use of the energy performance certificate to measure fuel poverty rather than simply recording the energy performance of a home.

Answer · Alex Neil: The purpose of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) is to rate the energy efficiency and environmental impact of a particular dwelling and recommend cost effective ways to improve the energy performance of that dwelling. They are a labelling system to allow …

2 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that existing contractors in different communities across Scotland can contribute to the delivery of the Energy Assistance Package.

Answer · Alex Neil: The managing agent is responsible for delivery of the measures available under Stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package. This is achieved through a network of surveyors and installers appointed by the managing agent following an open tendering processes, cons…

2 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether lowest price will determine the appointment of contractors for the delivery of the (a) Energy Assistance Package and (b) Home Insulation Scheme.

Answer · Alex Neil: The managing agent is responsible for delivery of the measures available under Stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package. The network of surveyors and installers appointed by the managing agent to deliver these, is appointed following an open tendering process…

2 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what procurement process will be used to appoint contractors for the delivery of the (a) Energy Assistance Package and (b) Home Insulation Scheme.

Answer · Alex Neil: The managing agent is responsible for delivery of the measures available under Stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package. The individual surveyors and installers through which the managing agent delivers these are appointed following a tendering process which …

2 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many individual applications to the Energy Saving Trust for the Energy Assistance Package have resulted in work being allocated to contractors and what percentage this represents of all applications.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Energy Assistance Package provides a range of measures to applicants and details of those and the numbers benefiting can be found at: <a href="http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Scotland/Energy-Assistance-Package/Programme-Statistics">…

2 Sep 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating systems were installed, not including legacy central heating programme installations, as part of the Energy Assistance Package by the end of August 2009.

Answer · Alex Neil: The managing agent has indicated that 173 central heating systems were installed under the Energy Assistance Package by the end of August.