Parliamentary questions

Mary Scanlon

4,514 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

12 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual rate of chlamydia testing is per 1,000 females aged 15 to 24 in each NHS board area.

Answer · Shona Robison: The annual rate of chlamydia testing per 1,000 females aged 15 to 24 in each NHS board area is available under figure 1.1 of the most recent Key Clinical Indicator report produced by Information Services Division, which can be found at the following link:…

12 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual rate of chlamydia testing is per 1,000 males aged 15 to 24 in each NHS board area.

Answer · Shona Robison: The annual rate of chlamydia testing per 1,000 males aged 15 to 24 in each NHS board area is available under figure 1.2 of the most recent Key Clinical Indicator report produced by Information Services Division, which can be found at the following link: …

12 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of individuals with priority sexual health conditions are offered the opportunity to be seen within two working days on initial contact with a specialist sexual health service.

Answer · Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally.

12 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS boards have integrated local specialist sexual health services that deliver a full range of contraception options, facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of all sexually-transmitted infections in both men and women and HIV testing and counselling.

Answer · Shona Robison: A range of models across Scotland provide appropriate sexual health services which link into specialist services as required. The majority of mainland services already have or are working towards fully integrated specialist sexual health services.</…

12 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done in public sector organisations to assist people with myalgic encephalopathy to remain in employment.

Answer · Shona Robison: Where an individual with Myalgic Encephalopathy is sufficiently impaired as to meet the definitions of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, a public sector employer would be required to meet their duties under the act. The Disability Discriminati…

12 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients have died as a result of venous thromboembolism in each of the last five years broken down by NHS board area.

Answer · Shona Robison: The following figures indicate the number of deaths caused by Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board area, and deaths caused by pulmonary embolism (PE), as the overwhelming majority of these deaths are likely to …

12 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to promote the use of long-acting reversible contraception to women of different age-groups and at different stages in their life.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is working closely with NHS Health Scotland to develop a social marketing campaign which will raise awareness of the various methods of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) available to women. As part of this work NHS …

12 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will increase access to training for health professionals in the fitting of long-acting reversible contraceptive implants.

Answer · Shona Robison: It is for NHS boards to identify and address the training needs of their staff. However, in light of the NHS Quality Improvement Scotland Sexual Health Standards, we have been advised that the majority of NHS boards have increased training for health professi…

12 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to reduce unintended pregnancy in non-teenage women.

Answer · Shona Robison: In addition to ensuring easy access to services and information, the Scottish Government is currently developing a social marketing campaign which will increase public knowledge of all sexual health matters. In addition, there will be a specific camp…

12 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what savings will be made by the NHS as a result of the increase in use of long-acting reversible contraception.

Answer · Shona Robison: While savings have not been calculated specifically for NHS Scotland, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence Clinical Guidelines on long-acting reversible contraception clearly state that long-acting reversible methods of contraception are more cost e…

12 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether is has assessed the impact of an increase in the uptake of long-acting reversible contraception on unintended pregnancies and abortion rates.

Answer · Shona Robison: It is currently too early to tell whether an increase in the uptake of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) has had an impact on unintended pregnancy and abortion rates. There is still some way to go to increase the use of long-acting reversible method…

12 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the use of any form of contraception prescribed by the NHS can result in a delay in return to natural fertility.

Answer · Shona Robison: Yes, use of Depo Provera is associated with a well recognised delay in the return of fertility. It can take up to one year for fertility to return after stopping Depo Provera. Health professionals include this information in routine advice about choosing Depo…

12 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a proven link between any form of contraception prescribed by the NHS and weight gain.

Answer · Shona Robison: Yes, there is good evidence of associated significant weight gain among some, but not all, users of Depo Provera.

12 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a proven link between any form of contraception prescribed by the NHS and infertility.

Answer · Shona Robison: No, recent research has demonstrated no proven link between any form of contraception and subsequent infertility.

4 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the statutory duties of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland will be preserved in its merger with NHS Quality Improvement Scotland and the Care Commission.

Answer · Shona Robison: Following the ministerial announcement in November discussions are currently under way with the bodies concerned about the functions of the new health and mental welfare body which will be set out in legislative proposals for the Parliament''s consideration.<…

4 Dec 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place with the (a) Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland (MWCS) and (b) Royal College of Psychiatrists prior to the proposal to merge MWCS, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland and the Care Commission.

Answer · Shona Robison: The government''s scrutiny improvement work has consulted widely over the last year. Specific proposals for scrutiny improvement have emerged from that work and the changes proposed reflect those consultations. Further discussions with the stakeholders of the…

27 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken in preparation for cross-border health care throughout the European Union.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: There is already a longstanding arrangement in place (the E112 scheme) that allows citizens of European Economic Area (EEA) countries to travel throughout the EEA for planned treatment, subject to prior approval by the home member state, although indications …

27 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to enhance co-operation on eHealth by developing systems that are compatible with those of other EU countries.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Scotland is participating in the EU Commission-funded epSOS programme. Launched in July 2008 in 12 member states, this involves large scale pilots supporting interoperability of health information systems across borders, for patient summaries and ePrescri…

24 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the evidence base is for the success of the Counterweight programme.

Answer · Shona Robison: The evidence base for the success of the Counterweight programme is based on the ability of the programme to deliver clinically beneficial weight change. Clinically beneficial weight change is recognized to be greater than or equal to 5% loss of bod…

24 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what data are being collected in order to audit the outcomes of the Counterweight programme.

Answer · Shona Robison: Counterweight are collecting a range of data to help assess and audit the impact of the programme. This includes: Numbers of practices/service implementing the programme; Numbers of patients eligible to take part in the programme (based on…

24 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the Scottish Health Council assists in ensuring that patients, carers and the public can express their views on NHS services.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18171 on 3 December 2008. At its annual review on 23 September 2008, the Scottish Health Council identified the following approaches it is taking to ensure that patients, carers and the public are abl…

24 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support was given to the Scottish Health Council to improve how NHS boards engage with patients and the public.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Health Council is part of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland and is sponsored by the Scottish Government Health directorates. As part of that sponsoring role the Health directorates provide funding and on-going advice, guidance and support for the …

24 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how each NHS board performed in terms of involving patients’ carers and the public in decisions on the planning, design and delivery of care, as reported by the Scottish Health Council.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS boards complete a self-assessment of their Patient Focus and Public Involvement (PFPI) activities following discussion with key patient and community groups, including public partnership forums. The self-assessment reports on how they have involved patien…

21 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken by it and each NHS board in response to the NHS QIS report Getting to GRIPS with Chronic Pain in Scotland.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government has made clear, as recommended in the GRIPS report, that we recognise chronic pain as a long term condition, thereby aligning it with the work on long term conditions which we are taking forward in partnership with the Long Term Condit…

21 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what has been done to improve services to people with aphasia, following publication of the report referred to on page 21 of NHS QIS’s Annual Report 2007-2008.

Answer · Shona Robison: The NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) annual report refers on page 21 to the report it published in November 2007 on the incidence of aphasia following a stroke, the services currently available, its current management and its impact on individuals a…

21 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when digital mammography screening will be available in each NHS board.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: As we stated in <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/10/24140351">Better Cancer Care, An Action Plan</a>, published on 27 October 2008, the Scottish Breast Screening Programme is currently undertaking early planning for the introducti…

20 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether small retailers whose main, but not sole, product is alcohol will be exempt from proposals to operate separate checkouts for alcohol in forthcoming licensing legislation.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The government has made clear that it is not anti-alcohol. However, Scotland''s relationship with alcohol is out of kilter and we need to rebalance it and that means adopting an innovative and imaginative approach to addressing the problem. Our consu…

20 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether proposals for the prevention of the display of promotional materials in licensed premises will include window displays by specialist whisky shops.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government has made clear that it is not anti-alcohol and we are proud of our distillers and the premium products they make. However, Scotland''s relationship with alcohol is out of kilter and we need to rebalance it. Issues concerning t…

20 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether whisky displays at exhibitions and trade fairs will be exempt from forthcoming licensing legislation.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The government has made clear that is it not anti-alcohol and we are proud of our distillers and the premium products they make. Issues concerning the promotion of alcohol and potential measures under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 are being considered in …

20 Nov 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether staff in substance misuse services will be trained to develop knowledge, skills and capacity in psychological treatments to meet the mental health needs of their client group.

Answer · Shona Robison: Psychological interventions are already an established part of substance misuse services. They are provided by specialists but all staff must have the appropriate knowledge to ensure the right referrals are made. We have commissioned NHS Health Scotland to de…