Questions · Jackie Baillie

10 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the level is of community-acquired healthcare associated infections (HAI), in particular Clostridium difficile, and what the level was in each quarter since May 2007.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Surveillance systems assume that all patients testing positive for Clostridium difficile Associated Disease (CDAD) have been in contact with the healthcare system. Current systems do not distinguish between samples taken in acute hospitals, non-acute hospital…

10 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that GPs are prescribing antibiotics appropriately and how prescribing is monitored.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: As with all medicines the decision whether or not to prescribe antibiotics for a patient is a matter for the clinical judgement of the prescriber, informed by advice and evidence about the medicine. NHS boards have Prescribing Advisers who mo…

10 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what creditor-led petitions for bankruptcy were lodged in the last quarter for which information is available, broken down by creditor.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: During October to December 2008, creditor-led petitions for bankruptcy were lodged by the following categories of creditors: <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td valign=top > Councils </td> <td valign=t…

10 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the Accountant in Bankruptcy no longer reports statistics on creditor-led petitions for bankruptcy.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Accountant in Bankruptcy has never reported on numbers of petitions for bankruptcy as she does not collate this information herself. The Accountant in Bankruptcy does, however, collate and report on the number of awards of bankruptcy following bo…

10 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many creditor-led petitions for bankruptcy there were in the last quarter for which information is available and how this compares with the same quarter in the previous year.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Prior to 1 April 2008 petitions for bankruptcy were considered by both the sheriff courts and the Court of Session. Since 1 April 2008 it is no longer competent to raise a petition for bankruptcy in the Court of Session. The information in the table …

10 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many debtor-led petitions for bankruptcy there were in the last quarter for which information is available and how this compares with the same quarter in the previous year.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Prior to 1 April 2008, debtors presented petitions for their own bankruptcy to the courts. Since 1 April 2008 those people who wish to make themselves bankrupt must apply directly to the Accountant in Bankruptcy by way of debtor application. The foll…

5 Feb 2009 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking in light of the emergence of the new and potentially more dangerous 078 strain of Clostridium difficile in hospitals across Scotland.

Answer · Alex Salmond: This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0205-01.htm">http://www.scot…

4 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it first reported the 078 strain of Clostridium difficile to the Parliament.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to S3W-20033 on 29 January 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions can be found on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business…

4 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-20034 by Nicola Sturgeon on 29 January 2009, whether studies into the virulence of the 078 strain of Clostridium difficile are being undertaken and, if so, when will they report.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Health Protection Scotland (HPS) are now undertaking a study that will confirm the strains of Clostridium difficile that are present across NHSScotland and their associated morbidity and mortality. The outcomes from this study will be reported in spr…

4 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-20033 by Nicola Sturgeon on 29 January 2009, how many of the 16 cases of the 078 strain of Clostridium difficile resulted in the death of the patient.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: There have been four deaths in total as detailed below: <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td valign=top > NHS Board </td> <td valign=top > No of Isolates </td> …

4 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what charges are made for alarm services for vulnerable people by each local authority.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20547 on 4 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Busin…

4 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what charges are made for the provision of home delivered meals by each local authority.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20547 on 4 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Busin…

4 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what charges are made for day services for (a) elderly people and (b) people with a learning disability by each local authority.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20547 on 4 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Busin…

4 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what charges are made for home care services by each local authority.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20547 on 4 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Busin…

4 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what charges are made for learning disability services by each local authority.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Information on the charging policies of each local authority for specific social care services or client groups is not held centrally. The National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) Regulations 1992 provide the framework for local authorities to c…

4 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that consistency of charging for community care across Scotland is desirable.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20544 on 5 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Busin…

4 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive under what circumstances it would use powers provided in the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 to regulate community care charges.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the question S3W-20544 answered on 5 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Busine…

4 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has under the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 to regulate community care charges.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 gave ministers powers to regulate charges for social care. However, the Scottish Executive made clear at that time that it would support self-regulation by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) …

4 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will develop a national mental health service for deaf people and, if so, what the timescale will be for achieving a service agreement to that effect.

Answer · Shona Robison: Mental health services for those with sensory loss continue to develop and improve. For example, a new dedicated community service and a deaf counselling service are now operational and have been well received by service users in Lothian. National access to s…

4 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-19517 by John Swinney on 19 January 2009, when it expects to publish its composite response to all the action groups, including the Accountability and Governance Action Group.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-19517 on 19 January 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/A…

3 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to develop the marine industry.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20532 on 3 March 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/Apps2/B…

3 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the economic value is of the marine industry, broken down by (a) leisure, (b) commercial and (c) defence work.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20532 on 3 March 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/Apps2/B…

3 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the size is of the marine industry in terms of the number of companies and employees.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20532 on 3 March 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/Apps2/B…

3 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it provides to the marine industry.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: This question concerns statistics and government support for the marine industry. This includes such industries as sea fishing, aquaculture, ports, shipping, marine boat and ship building. Scotland''s Seas: Towards Understanding their State,…

3 Feb 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-20030 by Nicola Sturgeon on 3 February 2009, whether the proposal to remove the microbiology laboratory from the Vale of Leven Hospital to a central location will be subject to public consultation.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: In the first instance, this is a matter for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. It is right that the board consider options to maintain and develop modern, efficient and effective laboratory services in the best interests of patients, and that these options are su…

29 Jan 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make mandatory the recording on death certificates of Clostridium difficile where it is the cause of death.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: It is already a statutory requirement, under section 24 of the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965, for a registered medical practitioner to issue a medical certificate of cause of death stating to the best of his knowledge and be…

29 Jan 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it measures levels of Clostridium difficile in care homes and what body is responsible for doing so.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Patients in care homes are treated by GPs, just as any other member of the public in the community would be, therefore this information is not held centrally. Given the importance of the care home sector, the HAI Task Force is taking forward a specific action…

29 Jan 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the levels of MRSA and Clostridium difficile were in care homes in (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08 and (c) the first three quarters of 2008-09.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20317 on 12 February 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…

29 Jan 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of the 078 strain of Clostridium difficile have been identified in care homes, broken down by care home.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20317 on 12 February 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…

29 Jan 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been allocated to public inquiries since May 2007; what the subjects of these inquires have been, and how they have been funded.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Three inquiries conducted under The Inquiries (Scotland) Rules 2007 (Scottish Statutory Instrument 560/2007) have so far been established under the Inquiries Act 2005. These are: the ICL Inquiry into the circumstances leading up to the incident on 11…