Parliamentary questions
Mary Scanlon
4,514 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
12 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that health board and local authority spending on mental health services reflects local needs.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The impact of local spending decisions are reviewed from the individual to the strategic perspectives through the work of the visiting Mental Health and Well Being Support Group, the Scottish Health Advisory Service and others in the reviewer network field. T…
12 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W- 13855 by Susan Deacon on 16 March 2001, when the NHSScotland Clinical Waste Steering Group will (a) complete an action plan and (b) produce further waste training/education guidance to encourage waste segregation and promote minimisation.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The NHSScotland Clinical Waste Steering Group expect to be in a position to present the Action Plan recommendations to NHS Trusts and other NHSScotland bodies by mid summer 2001.<P>The NHS in Scotland Property and Environment Forum, which supports the Clinica…
12 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14135 by Mr Jim Wallace on 27 March 2001, what policies the Scottish Prison has developed to reduce the potential for HIV transmission in prisons and when these policies were or will be implemented.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2><P>In 1993, the use of sterilising tablets was introduced into Scottish prisons to reduce the potential for the transmi…
12 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why the NHS 24 (Scotland) Order 2001 (SSI 2001/137) was laid before the Scottish Parliament on 3 April 2001 and came into force on 6 April 2001.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The case for establishing NHS24 as a special health board was considered as part of the review of non-departmental public bodies. This delayed the date on which the Order could be laid before Parliament and, to avoid delay to essential project work, the Order…
11 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when statistics on forecast cancer trends to 2015 will be published.
Answer · Susan Deacon: 20 pre-publication copies of <I>Cancer Scenarios - An aid to planning cancer services in Scotland in the next decade</I> were placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre on 4 April.
11 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when its cancer plan will be published.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The plan is currently being finalised and will be published in due course.
11 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made or will make to Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the higher incidence of multiple sclerosis in Scotland, regarding the implications for multiple sclerosis sufferers of any delay by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in assessing drugs …
Answer · Susan Deacon: Regular meetings take place between the Scottish Executive, the Department of Health, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and the Health Technology Board for Scotland. Progress on the assessment of technologies for the treatment of multiple scleros…
10 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support Real Nappy Week 2001 on 23 to 29 April and what its position is in relation to the call for the NHS to adopt a real nappy policy in order to reduce the volume of waste being landfilled or incinerated.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Executive supports waste minimisation initiatives such as Real Nappy Week as waste minimisation is one of the key objectives of the <I>National Waste Strategy: Scotland</I>.<P>As with all waste producers, the National Health Service would be enco…
10 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated time period is for the decomposition of disposable nappies on landfill sites.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The information requested is not held centrally. <P>There are a number of websites with information on the environmental impact of disposable nappies:<P>www.wen.org.uk/nappies.htm<P>www.realnappy.com<P>www.nappies-uk.co.uk/environmental.htm
10 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will encourage the use of reusable nappies in order to reduce the volume of disposable nappies sent to landfill sites in household waste.
Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Executive encourages waste minimisation which forms a key objective of the <I>National Waste Strategy: Scotland</I>. The Waste Minimisation Act (1998) gives local authorities the powers to address the minimisation of waste in their area. This pro…
10 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans for a review of primary care, in particular general practice.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive has embarked on a wide range of initiatives in primary care. These include the development of LHCCs, the launch of NHS24, Personal Medical Services schemes and an action plan for primary care dental services. Plans have also been announ…
10 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a screening system for chlamydia in young women in response to recent research carried out by the University of Edinburgh which found that 8% of women under 20 were infected.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The UK National Screening Committee (on which the Executive is represented) is due to consider the final Report of the evaluation of a chlamydia screening pilot project in England in summer 2001. On the basis of the conclusions reached by the evaluation, the …
10 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that GPs conduct an annual health check on all people over the age of 75.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The statutory terms of service for general practitioners require that each patient over the age of 75 is invited each year to participate in a consultation. Any breach of the terms of service is a matter for the relevant Primary Care Trust or Island Health Bo…
10 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the recommendation in the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network publication Hypertension in Older People that all people over 75 who have an annual health check should have a blood pressure check is implemented.
Answer · Susan Deacon: The objective of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of clinical care for patients in Scotland by developing, publishing and disseminating guidelines which identify and promote good clinical pr…
3 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how local authorities will finance any necessary upgrading of their residential homes in order to comply with the terms of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: It is not yet clear what cost implications might arise for residential homes from the implementation of the National Care Standards. However before making any final decisions on the standards, the Scottish Executive is committed to consulting on the possible …
3 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that patients and their representatives are given accurate information on cost and choice before referral and placement in residential care.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The primary responsibility rests with local authority social work functions. We have provided guidance to authorities and issued copies of the booklet <I>Thinking about moving into a Care Home? </I>to assist.
3 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the Nursing Homes Scotland Core Standards (Nutritional Care) NHS MEL (1999) 54 will be applied to local authority and private residential homes as recommended by the Clinical Resources Audit Group.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Regulation of Care Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament will end the distinction between residential care homes and nursing homes. From April 2002 all care homes will be registered and inspected by an independent body, the Scottish Commiss…
3 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the Health Technology Board for Scotland, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidance Network and the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland are made aware of the outcomes of clinical trials in Scotland.
Answer · Susan Deacon: As with any evidence-based organisation, the Health Technology Board for Scotland (HTBS) and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidance Network (SIGN) maintain a high level of awareness of clinical outcomes data. This is broadly derived from four sources: clinical…
3 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why objections to GM crop trial applications have to be on a clearly established scientific basis.
Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14735.
3 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which farmland wildlife are being examined in order to collect information on any impact the new herbicide regimes associated with the GM crop trials in the Highlands and Aberdeenshire might have.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The ecological research, which is being undertaken by a consortium of independent scientists is designed to study the effect, if any, that the management practices associated with genetically modified herbicide tolerant crops might have on farmland wildlife w…
3 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why it is waiting for a new European Directive before bringing forward revised legislation to take account of public opinion in relation to GM crop trials.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The present regulatory framework at both European and UK level is governed by the European Council Directive 90/220/EEC. Based on a scientific assessment of risk, the Directive does not enable wider socio-economic arguments and public opinion to be considered…
3 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why it is going ahead with GM crop trials in the Highlands and Aberdeenshire given concerns from the Highland Council and others.
Answer · Ross Finnie: The legislative framework which underpins the release of GM crops at both European and UK level makes it very clear that approval can only be refused if there is scientific evidence that the GM crop poses a threat to human health or the environment. <P>The co…
3 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether GM crops can cause harm to other forms of plant life.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Prior to the release of any GM crop in this country, the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) undertakes a thorough risk assessment to identify whether the GM crop may cause harmful effects to humans or the environment. This includes consi…
3 Apr 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of the genes used in GM crop trials can (a) cross the species barrier and (b) cause harm to animals and humans.
Answer · Ross Finnie: Separation distances have been put in place around the trial crop to minimise the possibility of cross-pollination with other related species. Oilseed rape can only cross-pollinate with some closely related species, which are in flower at the same time. The A…
30 Mar 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how public awareness of rheumatoid arthritis will be increased in order that symptoms can be recognised at an early stage and the progression of the disease delayed.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), which is funded by the Scottish Executive Health Department, produced a clinical guideline on the Management of Early Rheumatoid Arthritis in December 2000, which includes advice on diagnosis. SIGN guide…
30 Mar 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether all patients with early rheumatoid arthritis are referred for a specialist rheumatology opinion and treatment within 12 weeks of the onset of symptoms.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The information requested is not available centrally in the form requested. Patients do not necessarily present to their GP as soon as symptoms appear.
28 Mar 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether selenium deficiency is the cause of any major heart problems in Scotland.
Answer · Susan Deacon: There is no evidence to suggest that a deficiency of selenium is a significant factor in the development of coronary heart disease in Scotland.
27 Mar 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to ensure that patients with mental illness are given high quality nutritional care.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: <I><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=2>Our National Health </I>contains clear commitments to ensure that high quality, nutritious food is available to all patients. The plan commits the NHS to implement the recommendations of the National Nutritional Audit and the rele…
27 Mar 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will decide whether Vitamin D supplements will be given to elderly people in long-term care.
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive plans to establish an expert group in the near future to provide recommendations on the prescribing of vitamin D supplements.
27 Mar 2001 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many cancer patients are currently participating in clinical trials.
Answer · Susan Deacon: Information is not held centrally in the format requested.