Parliamentary questions
Mary Scanlon
4,514 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the proposed per capita spend is in each NHS board area in 2009-10.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The proposed per capita spend by each territorial NHS board in 2009-10 is shown in the following table.</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td nowrap > <p align=center >NHS Board</p> </td> <td > <p align=center >Per Capita…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to deal with gastrointestinal disease in young children, given its reported relationship with behaviours and symptoms associated with autism.
Answer · Shona Robison: The National Delivery Plan for Children and Young People''s Specialist Services in Scotland, published last year, recognised gastrointestinal disease as an area requiring investment. £1.112 million has been allocated across Scotland to provide improved and su…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether more use is to be made of telehealth for dermatology outpatients in light of the 113,125 new dermatology outpatient attendances in 2008-09, representing 7.8% of new outpatient attendances.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Centre for Telehealth (SCT) continues to support and encourage the clinical use of teledermatology. The SCT have indicated that the consensus view is that the clinical climate is not yet right for a national teledermatology solution. The SCT has …
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether photodynamic therapy is available in Scotland and used to treat cancer patients.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is currently available in the areas covered by all three Regional Cancer Networks (North of Scotland, West of Scotland and South East Scotland) and is one form of treatment used to treat various types of cancer. The decision for the…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have died of oesophageal cancer in each of the last five years.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Data on the mortality from oesophageal cancer are available by calendar year at: </p> <p ><a href="http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/servlet/FileBuffer?namedFile=m_cancer_oesophagus.xls&pContentDispositionType=inline">http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/servlet/…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been successfully treated for oesophageal cancer in each of the last five years.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Observed survival statistics for patients diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in Scotland in the period 2003-07 are shown in the following table, with successfully treated being defined as surviving for at least five years following diagnosis:</p> <p >Cancer o…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to improve early detection and treatment of oesophageal cancer.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: <i >Better Cancer Care, An Action Plan</i> recognised that early detection of cancer is crucial and the earlier it can be diagnosed, the better the chance of a positive outcome.</p> <p >The Scottish Government is committed to improving awareness of possible …
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guideline 87, Management of oesophageal and gastric cancer, states that “Oesophageal and gastric cancers occur mainly in people over 55 years of age” when many cases occur in people under the age of 55.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) Guideline 87 is intended to guide the management of any patient with oesophageal or gastric cancer, regardless of age. It does not state that these cancers occur exclusively in the over 55 age range. Howe…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the analysis of the Nuffield Trust that the north east of England is a better benchmark for comparisons with NHS Scotland than England as a whole given its similarly sized population, similar levels of income, deprivation and unemployment and similar health status …
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: There are some similarities between the North East of England and Scotland, in terms of population size, levels of income, deprivation and unemployment and health status and life expectancy. However, a comparison of Scotland with a Government Office Region of…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the accuracy of the assertion in the summary briefing of the Nuffield Trust report, Funding and performance of healthcare systems in the four countries of the UK before and after devolution, that “In 2006, Scotland had the highest levels of poor health, the highest…
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: At a recent meeting between the Office for National Statistics (ONS), National Services Scotland Information Services Division (ISD), the Scottish Government and the Nuffield Trust, ONS acknowledged there were errors in some of the source data on NHS workforc…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any inaccurate Scottish Government figures were provided or put in the public domain and used by the Nuffield Trust to make comparisons between health services in Scotland and the north east of England.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government did not provide or publish inaccurate figures that were used by the Nuffield Trust in their report. </p> <p >At a recent meeting between the Office for National Statistics (ONS), National Services Scotland Information Services Divisio…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the assertion that only comparative statistics that could be measured in the same way were used to compare health issues in Scotland and the north east of England in the Nuffield Trust report, Funding and performance of healthcare systems in the four countries of t…
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: At a recent meeting between the Office for National Statistics (ONS), National Services Scotland Information Services Division (ISD), the Scottish Government and the Nuffield Trust, ONS acknowledged there were errors in some of the source data on NHS workforc…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the finding in the Nuffield Trust report, Funding and performance of healthcare systems in the four countries of the UK before and after devolution, that the north east of England delivered 18% more outpatient attendances, almost 40% more day cases and over 50% mor…
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: At a recent meeting between the Office for National Statistics (ONS), National Services Scotland Information Services Division (ISD), the Scottish Government and the Nuffield Trust, ONS acknowledged there were errors in some of the source data on NHS workforc…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the finding in the Nuffield Trust report, Funding and performance of healthcare systems in the four countries of the UK before and after devolution, that NHS Scotland employed nearly 75% more managers and support staff per capita than the north east of England in 2…
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: At a recent meeting between the Office for National Statistics (ONS), National Services Scotland Information Services Division (ISD), the Scottish Government and the Nuffield Trust, ONS acknowledged there were errors in some of the source data on NHS workforc…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the finding in the Nuffield Trust report, Funding and performance of healthcare systems in the four countries of the UK before and after devolution, that Scotland had almost 50% more nurses per capita than the north east of England in 2005-06.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: At a recent meeting between the Office for National Statistics (ONS), National Services Scotland Information Services Division (ISD), the Scottish Government and the Nuffield Trust, ONS acknowledged there were errors in some of the source data on NHS workforc…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the finding in the Nuffield Trust report, Funding and performance of healthcare systems in the four countries of the UK before and after devolution, that Scotland had 70 more hospital doctors than the north east of England in 2005-06.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: At a recent meeting between the Office for National Statistics (ONS), National Services Scotland Information Services Division (ISD), the Scottish Government and the Nuffield Trust, ONS acknowledged there were errors in some of the source data on NHS workforc…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can confirm the finding in the Nuffield Trust report, Funding and performance of healthcare systems in the four countries of the UK before and after devolution, that NHS expenditure per 100,000 population in Scotland would have been about £180 million in 2005-06.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: According to HM Treasury Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis, the identifiable expenditure on health in Scotland in 2005-06 was £1,681 per head. This equates to £168 million per 100,000 population.</p>
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s approval in 2008-09 of grants to the value of £3,055,082 out of its annual budget of £4,629,000 to organisations linked to members of its board.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government expects all non-departmental public bodies, including B²rd na G idhlig, to have a clear process and approach to deal with conflicts of interest relating to board members. The Scottish Government''s expectations are set out in <i >Guida…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much (a) money, (b) property and (c) land is in the common good fund of each local authority.
Answer · John Swinney: This information is not held centrally. All common good assets which are held by local authorities are accountable within the audited accounts of each local authority which are accessible by law to any member of the public.</b></p>
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the common good funds, including land and property, managed by each local authority.
Answer · John Swinney: This information is not held centrally. All common good assets which are held by local authorities are accountable within the audited accounts of each local authority which are accessible by law to any member of the public.</b></p>
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive in what circumstances common good funds can be used to repay local authority debt.
Answer · John Swinney: Section 93 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 states that any sums payable or received which relate to the common good shall not be paid into the general fund. Specific guidance on the financial accounting of common goods assets has also been publish…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the eligibility criteria are for the allocation of common good funds.
Answer · John Swinney: It is the responsibility of local authorities to manage their common good assets and funds in accordance with current statutory and non statutory requirements as set out in the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. Local authorities are required to manage ass…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether a consultation process with community councils or other local organisations is necessary prior to the allocation of common good funds.
Answer · John Swinney: Section 222 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 states that local authorities should have regard to the interests of the inhabitants of the area to which the common good formerly related. How local authorities choose to fulfil this obligation is a mat…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance there is on the management of common good funds.
Answer · John Swinney: Statutory guidance exists through the Local Government (Scotland) Acts of 1973 and 1994. There are also accounting guidelines set out in the Local Authorities Scotland Accounts Advisory Committee (LASAAC) document <i >Accounting for the Common Good: A Guidanc…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is appropriate for councillors to be involved in determining a planning application that will result in financial benefit to the common good fund managed by those councillors.
Answer · John Swinney: It is not inappropriate for a local authority to have an interest in a development, and also to make a decision on a planning application for that development. However, any conflict of interests that might arise from having this dual role must not influence t…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-30594 by Nicola Sturgeon on 19 January 2010, whether the number of ophthalmology outpatients could be reduced by greater use of community optometrists.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS boards can make arrangements with optometrists to provide services on their behalf which are normally carried out in a hospital setting. Under these services accredited optometrists with appropriate training can provide a range of services on behalf of th…
1 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-30594 by Nicola Sturgeon on 19 January 2010, for what reason only three new outpatients were referred to the chiropody and podiatry specialities in 2008-09.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS chiropody and podiatry services are delivered by Allied Health Professionals (AHP) and not through consultant-led outpatient clinics.</p> <p >In the year ending 31 March 2009, 48,413 new patients were seen by NHS chiropodists and podiatrists based on pub…
28 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to ensure that children under five with communication difficulties are identified and treated.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Early Years Framework demonstrates the Scottish Government''s commitment to early intervention to ensure that a child receives the support they need, as quickly as possible. </p> <p >The programme of routine screening is set out in the Scottish Governme…
28 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what long-term approaches are being taken to sustain economic growth and regeneration in Caithness in light of the decommissioning of Dounreay and the loss of £80 million to the local economy.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government remains focused on delivering our core purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth across Scotland including Caithness and Sutherland.</p> <p >The Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership brings together, the Scot…
28 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to sustain employment in Caithness and North Sutherland in light of the decommissioning of Dounreay, given that it supports one in four jobs in the area.
Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government through the Government Economic Strategy and Economic Recovery Plan is focused on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth.</p> <p >The Scot…