Parliamentary questions
Mary Scanlon
4,514 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
17 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of payment fees for police surgeons to (a) attend to victims of crime and (b) compile forensic evidence.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The information requested is not held centrally. Police surgeons volunteer their services and are remunerated in accordance with local arrangements made with the respective police authorities and joint police boards.
17 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether all police forces have in place sufficient police surgeons to attend to victims of crime timeously.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The provision of police surgeons to attend to victims of crime is an operational matter for chief constables.
17 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the recommended waiting time is for medical examinations of victims of crime, including rape.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Current guidance states that the police should arrange for a medical examination of a victim of crime with all possible speed. The provision of police surgeons is an operational matter for chief constables.
17 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to increase the provision of secondary dental services, orthodontics and oral surgery at the Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline, in order to reduce waiting times elsewhere in Scotland.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The planning and provision of secondary dental services, orthodontics and oral surgery at the Queen Margaret Hospital are matters for NHS Fife.<P>The National Waiting Times Unit is working with NHSScotland to ensure better and more effective use is made of NH…
17 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase the prior approval limit for dental treatment of #270 in order to bring it in line with the limit for the rest of the United Kingdom at #375.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: The Executive has no current plans to increase the prior approval limit in Scotland.
17 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the National Waiting Times Unit will monitor waiting times and lists for dental treatment and recommend actions.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Most dental treatment is provided in the community by General Dental Practitioners. The National Waiting Times Unit has no plans to monitor waiting times for access to such services. However, the unit is working with NHSScotland to reduce lengthy waits for ou…
17 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the increase in the prescription of Ritalin to children in the last five years.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The decision on whether or not to prescribe a drug for a patient is always a matter for the clinical judgement of the patient's doctor, informed by advice and guidance about the drug. In the case of methylphenidate hydrochloride for the treatment of attention…
15 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to ensure that people with schi'ophrenia in (a) Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross and (b) the Western Isles have access to new and more effective drugs, given that these areas have among the lowest percentage shares of atypical antipsychotic prescriptions.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: On 25 July 2002, the Health Technology Board for Scotland (HTBS) issued a comment on the NICE Guidance on the use of atypical antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia, advising that the NICE Guidance is as valid for Scotland as for England and Wales. The guidanc…
11 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18321 by Susan Deacon on 22 November 2001, when it will make any recommendations relating to the review of the fee structure for orthodontics and sedation.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-27546 today for an update on the Executive's progress on the delivery of orthodontic treatment. No imminent changes to orthodontic fees are planned. The Executive has already reviewed the narrative and fe…
11 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18323 by Susan Deacon on 22 November 2001, how many dental hygienists and dental therapists are currently undergoing training at each centre.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: The number of dental hygienists training in Scotland is as follows:<P><TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=585><TR><TD WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="TOP"><B><P>Centre</B></TD><TD WIDTH="21%" VALIGN="TOP"><B><P>In Training</B></TD><TD WIDTH="61%" VALIGN="TOP"…
11 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18320 by Susan Deacon on 22 November 2001, whether a dental therapist course has now been established and, if so, how many places are available this year.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: The feasibility study referred to in the answer to question S1W-18320 has concurred that therapist training is feasible within Scotland and has identified the resources required. Potential numbers, location and timing are still being discussed, but it is expe…
11 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many children aged 6 to 8 years in deprivation categories 5, 6 and 7 are on the enhanced registration scheme for dentistry in each health trust.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: A caries prevention scheme, which provides the dentist with additional capitation fees, was introduced in October 2001. The scheme is open to all six- and seven-year-olds in Scotland and provides the dentist with an enhanced monthly fee according to the Depri…
11 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18321 by Susan Deacon on 22 November 2001, what proposals there are for the delivery of orthodontics.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: As part of the Scottish Executive's review of orthodontic services, a new grade of Specialist Salaried General Dental Practitioner and associated feescale were introduced on 9 April 2002 for the salaried general dental service. Such specialist practitioners i…
11 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average waiting times are for detox and other rehabilitation services in each NHS board for (a) drugs and (b) alcohol addiction.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-27544.
11 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average waiting times are for appointments in respect of (a) drug and (b) alcohol addiction in each NHS trust.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The information requested is not held centrally. Waiting time information for treatment for drug and alcohol problems is not held consistently by NHS Trusts. The Executive has, however, obtained information from Drug Action Team Corporate Action Plans which i…
11 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been given to (a) Alcoholics Anonymous and (b) Narcotics Anonymous in each of the last five years.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: The Executive has provided no funding to Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous in the last five years.
11 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much money has been given to voluntary and other organisations to support and advise people with drug and alcohol problems in each of the last five years.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: Details of the core funding provided by the Executive in each of the last five years to voluntary and other organisations to support and advise people with drug and alcohol problems are as follows:<P><TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=585><TR><TD…
10 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to address the lack of plans designed in most trusts to address the full implications of healthcare associated infections (HAI) as referred to in the interim report of the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland on HAI and infection control standards.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I have made clear to NHS Chairs that action must be taken to address this issue. NHS Chief Executives have received the same message from the Head of the Health Department. The Clinical Standards Board for Scotland (CSBS) is currently visiting individual NHS …
10 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken in order to ensure that Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidelines are adhered to in all NHS trusts.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Under clinical governance NHSScotland is expected to implement evidence-based guidance from bodies such as Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). SIGN Guidelines are an integral part of the development of condition-specific standards by the Clini…
9 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the Food Standard Agency is doing to ensure that consumers and stakeholders are fully informed on all matters associated with GM crop trials and GM food.
Answer · Mary Mulligan: I am advised that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is active in communicating with consumers and stakeholders on matters concerning GM foods. The FSA website contains detailed information about GM foods, including how GM foods are assessed for safety and expla…
9 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to address the doubling of the incidence of testicular cancer in the last 20 years.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Testicular cancer is one of the most curable of cancers, even if it is at an advanced stage at diagnosis, and effective platinum-based chemotherapy has been widely available for nearly 20 years. Although cancer of the testis was one of the most common forms o…
9 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to support GPs in caring for the over 30% of patient contacts with mental health problems.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Primary care teams and local health care co-operatives have an important role in developing systems to deliver national and local standards in mental health in primary care. A number of measures are in place to support the provision of services in primary car…
9 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to address the suicide rates in the Western Isles and the Highlands given that they are the highest in Scotland.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Detailed action to prevent suicide in specific parts of Scotland is a matter for the relevant NHS board. The Executive is also currently developing a National Framework for Prevention of Suicide and Self-Harm, which I plan to launch later this year. All NHS b…
9 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to address the position of suicide as the leading cause of death of young men in Scotland.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: We are currently developing a National Framework for Prevention of Suicide and Self-Harm in Scotland. I published a consultation draft of the Framework in October 2001. A report analysing consultation responses, together with supporting materials, was publish…
8 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in regard to self-funding clients in care homes paying higher fees than local authority funded clients for the same level of care
Answer · Frank McAveety: Neither the Scottish Executive nor the Care Commission can intervene in a private contractual arrangement between a self-funding client and a care home provider.
8 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action carers can take in situations were councils do not provide the care, treatment and support recommended in care plans.
Answer · Frank McAveety: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-27425. I would add that service-users, or carers acting on their behalf, can challenge service provision decisions taken by a local authority using the authority's complaints procedure. This could involve…
8 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it (a) can take and (b) will take in situations where a local authority does not provide appropriate and adequate care and support as recommended in an individual's care plan.
Answer · Frank McAveety: Local authorities have a statutory obligation to provide community care services to those people in their areas who appear to need them. Should local authorities fail to provide such services, they will ultimately be accountable to the courts.<P>We are contin…
2 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering providing guidelines on carer consultation for NHS staff to ensure carers are fully involved in service planning.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-27294.
2 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will monitor local authority community care planning structures to ensure that they are made more open, accessible and carer friendly.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-27294.
2 Jul 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to provide additional guidance to local authorities to reinforce the importance of carer consultation and encourage best practice in this area.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Consultation with carers about service planning and delivery is expected of all local authorities. The Carers Strategy made clear the importance which the Executive places on the inclusion of carers' views and expertise in the development of community care pl…