Mary Scanlon

27 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that people with mental health problems are actively involved in developing their own care plans.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Framework for Mental Health Services in Scotland encourages mental health agencies to ensure that people who use services, and their families and carers, receive the necessary support to enable them to participate effectively in planning their care. Acces…

27 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people with mental health problems are assured the provision of practical support for advocacy services as recommended in the Accounts Commission for Scotland report, A Shared Approach.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: <I><FONT FACE="Arial">Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change</I> requires all NHS boards to work in partnership with local authorities to ensure that integrated independent advocacy services are available to those who need them. In addition…

27 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how people with mental health problems and their carers are involved in the development of local mental health strategies.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Mental Health and Well Being Support Group, which of course includes a user of mental health services and a carer on each visit, raises this important issue in their discussion with the care agencies in each area. The group stress the importance of meanin…

26 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-16055 by Ross Finnie on 14 June 2001, which diseases carried by pigs can be passed on to humans.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The following list of diseases of pigs can be transmitted to humans. However, this list may not be totally comprehensive. <DIR><DIR><P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Acanthocephaliasis<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Actinomycosis<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Amebiasis<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Ancylostomi…

20 Jun 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are currently on waiting lists for heart by-pass surgery.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: On 30 September 2001, the number of patients waiting for Adult Cardiac Surgery, which includes patients waiting for heart bypass operations, was 620.

19 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the current recommended levels are for the numbers of (a) specialist diabetes consultant physicians, (b) diabetologists and (c) specialist diabetes nurses; how many of each are currently in post, and what plans it has to increase the numbers up to the recommended levels, broken down…

Answer · Susan Deacon: It is a matter for health boards and Trusts to assess and provide for local needs and to determine the staffing levels required for effective service delivery. National recommendations on staffing levels would cut across these responsibilities and would under…

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any restrictions on dental therapists' place of work, in particular, on moving from a hospital or community dental service to a general practice, under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 and the Dental Auxiliaries Regulations 1986 (SI 1986/887); whether it w…

Answer · Susan Deacon: The Dentists Act 1984 gives power to the General Dental Council (GDC) to make regulations governing dental therapists, among other dental auxiliaries. That power is restricted so that, without an Order in Council, dental therapists cannot undertake the fillin…

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of children have been diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis and ottis media by the time they are five years old.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: For year ending March 2000, 20 children under five years old, representing 0.007% of all children in that age group across Scotland that year, were discharged from NHS hospitals having been diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">For year en…

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to include vaccination for pneumococcal meningitis in the routine childhood immunisation programme.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: At present, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is not recommended for routine use in the childhood immunisation programme. However, studies to assess the possible role for pneumococcal immunisation in the UK programme are currently ongoing and the Joint Committee…

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to publish more comprehensive information on the performance levels of hospitals.

Answer · Susan Deacon: In line with the undertaking in <I>Our National Health: A plan for action,</I> <I>a plan for change</I>, the Health Department is working with NHSScotland to develop a new comprehensive performance management framework which will assess health improvement, cl…

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce "no-fault" compensation schemes for NHS patients.

Answer · Susan Deacon: There are currently no plans to alter the way in which compensation is claimed and settled for acts of possible clinical negligence. Our efforts are directed at continually improving clinical standards and performance and so reduce the incidence of negligence.

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to reform the procedures for dealing with medical negligence to reduce timescales, cost and any anguish for claimants.

Answer · Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive currently has no plans to reform procedures for dealing with clinical negligence claims. However, we are aware of recent developments to assess the potential benefits of mediation for such claims and intend to explore the matter with th…

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the NHS ensures that patients are given adequate time to discuss with medical staff the risks and benefits of their treatment and any ethical and legal issues.

Answer · Susan Deacon: To enable a patient to give informed consent they are entitled to a clear explanation of their condition and any treatment, investigation or procedure proposed, including risks and alternatives, before agreeing on the course of action. They must also be given…

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assurance can be given that the urgency with which a patient's case is dealt is determined by the clinician treating that patient on the basis of the patient's medical need rather than in relation to target waiting times and lists.

Answer · Susan Deacon: The urgency with which patients are treated should be solely a matter for the clinicians concerned.

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to ensure that every doctor undertakes regular vocational education and training to ensure that their standards and skills are maintained and kept up-to-date.

Answer · Susan Deacon: The maintenance of standards and skills in the area of medical practice is the responsibility of a range of people and groups. The General Medical Council (GMC), which is an independent regulatory body, sets standards of practice for doctors. It is the respon…

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many additional doctors and nurses will be required to meet the objectives in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.

Answer · Susan Deacon: Our approach to developing the workforce in NHSScotland, as stated in <I>Our National Health; A plan for action; a plan for change</I> continues to be one of targeted investment. That is why last year I announced 210 extra specialist nurses and 110 extra doct…

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the increased utilisation of dental therapists' skills would help to alleviate any problems arising from the shortage of dentists in remote, rural and deprived areas and assist with reducing any inequalities of access to treatment.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive recognises and welcomes the contribution made to oral healthcare by the whole dental team, including that of the professions complementary to dentistry. It is examining how to encourage more dentists into remote, rural and deprived areas. Howeve…

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a voluntary and confidential health assessment with a qualified nurse for all NHS staff, as recently adopted by the Yorkhill Hospital NHS Trust.

Answer · Susan Deacon: <I>Towards a Safer Healthier Workplace</I>, the occupational health and safety service strategy for NHSScotland staff, requires all NHSScotland organisations to offer a comprehensive, competent and confidential occupational health and safety service to all st…

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources were disbursed to Highlands and Islands Enterprise to assist with training and employment opportunities for the 3,500 BARMAC workers made redundant last year.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: It estimated that £1.7 million has been made available to support former BARMAC employees, through ongoing support for the oil and gas industry. This includes funding from existing and new allocations for years 2000-02.<P>This support includes training for ge…

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether methadone is more addictive for patients than heroin.

Answer · Iain Gray: Heroin and methadone are opioids that act in the same way on receptors in the brain. Opioid dependence is a well-established and clearly defined phenomenon. It is characterised by physical and psychological dependence, which becomes more likely as the dose an…

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the development of Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidelines or for a Health Technology Board for Scotland appraisal on the care and rehabilitation of drug addicts.

Answer · Susan Deacon: Neither the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) nor the Health Technology Board for Scotland (HTBS) have this topic in their current work programme. The Executive currently has no plans to ask them to consider it.<P>However, anyone may propose …

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on methadone treatment in each of the past five years.

Answer · Iain Gray: Information on the total cost of the methadone treatment programme is not available centrally.<P>Total costs include the cost of methadone, fees to pharmacists to dispense methadone and to supervise consumption, the cost of counselling and social support and …

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether training on drug and alcohol addiction is included in the education and training programme of medical students, social workers and nurses.

Answer · Iain Gray: Training on drug and alcohol addiction is provided by each of the five medical schools in Scotland. It is also included in pre-registration nursing courses, and within the Diploma in Social Work qualification.

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it is making to Her Majesty's Government that levels of illegally imported cigarettes and alcohol should be reduced, given the impact on its public health strategy.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive shares the concerns of Her Majesty's Government about the impact of illegally imported cigarettes and alcohol. There is close contact with HM Customs and Excise Law Enforcement Directorate about a range of serious and organised crime is…

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much money was spent on drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment outwith Scotland for Scottish patients in each of the past five years.

Answer · Iain Gray: Information on the total cost of drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation for Scottish patients outwith Scotland is not available centrally.<P>Health boards received an additional £2 million for drug treatment services this year, giving a total of £14.35…

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people received drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment in each of the past five years.

Answer · Iain Gray: Information on the total number of individuals receiving drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment is not available centrally.<P>The following table shows the number of new patients reported to the Scottish Drug Misuse Database. Agencies reporting to the data…

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether general practitioners will be able to screen for diabetes in their surgeries.

Answer · Susan Deacon: The early detection of disease is a key role of primary care and currently general practitioners can, and do, test for diabetes where the patient's history or symptoms is suggestive that this may be the underlying cause. The majority of GPs also provide diabe…

18 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for the provision of specific clinics for diabetes at general practice surgeries.

Answer · Susan Deacon: There is currently no target for individual general practice surgeries to establish diabetes-specific clinics. However, the Scottish Executive would expect Primary Care Trusts and Local Health Care Co-operatives to ensure that there is adequate local provisio…

14 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether all patients in psychiatric hospitals or units should receive a care and treatment package designed to address their problems and prepare them for re-integration into the community on discharge and whether such care and treatment plans should be fully discussed with the patient.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: Our objective for every discharge or transfer from hospital care is for the continuing care arrangements to fit the assessed needs of the individual. This is particularly true for those with a mental illness where needs can be complex and require co-operation…

14 Jun 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it proposes to introduce guidelines to ensure that patients with mental illness are admitted to hospital in a compassionate and dignified manner.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: We are committed to working to reduce stigma and improve access to care and support. We have re-affirmed this most recently in <I>Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change.</I>