Parliamentary questions
Rhoda Grant
2,396 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
28 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that blood donors can access donation sessions in remote and rural areas.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) is working closely with rural communities to review methods of collection from remote, rural and island communities. SNBTS is fully aware of the need to continually seek innovative ways to encourage dono…
23 Sep 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made to assist people who have been affected by the recent flooding in the Moray area.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: <i > This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor1001-01.htm">http://www.scot…
15 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Open Market Shared Equity Pilot scheme will continue to operate in (a) Eilean Siar, (b) Highland, (c) Orkney Islands, (d) Shetland Islands and (e) Argyll and Bute Council areas in (i) 2010 and (ii) beyond 2011.
Answer · Alex Neil: No decisions have yet been taken on the availability of the Open Market Shared Equity Pilot scheme beyond March 2010. Decisions on the scheme''s future in all areas of Scotland will be taken soon.</p>
15 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to improve access to affordable housing for first-time buyers in the Highlands and Islands.
Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government supports first-time buyers through its Low Cost Initiative for First Time Buyers (LIFT). This currently offers three options for first-time buyers in the Highlands and Islands:</p> <p >1. New Supply Shared Equity or shared ownership. …
15 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding it anticipates for affordable housing projects in (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) 2011 in each Scottish parliamentary constituency in the Highlands and Islands Region.
Answer · Alex Neil: The following table provides details of the Affordable Housing Investment Programme for 2009-10 for the five local authority areas that encompass the Highland and Islands parliamentary constituencies. Information is not held by calendar year or by Scottish pa…
15 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) council, (b) New Supply Shared Equity Scheme and (c) Open Market Shared Equity Scheme houses were built in (i) 2007 and (ii) 2008, and are anticipated to be built in (A) 2009, (B) 2010 and (C) 2011 in each Scottish parliamentary constituency in the Highlands and Islands regi…
Answer · Alex Neil: The following information on new council houses and New Supply Shared Equity properties built is for the five local authority areas that encompass the Highland and Islands Parliamentary constituencies. Information on the number of houses built is not held by …
2 Sep 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had regarding funding for the voluntary sector.
Answer · John Swinney: <i >This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0910-01.htm">http://www.scot…
5 Aug 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive (a) which broadband relay sites in the Western Isles have lost service within the last 24 months; (b) how many times each of these has lost the service, and (c) how quickly the service was restored on each occasion.
Answer · Jim Mather: This information is not held by either the Scottish Government or Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which deals with all operational matters relating to the connected communities project.</p>
20 Jul 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to improve the performance of doctors in complying with NHS hand hygiene guidance.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: It is for each NHS board to ensure the national zero tolerance approach to non compliance with local hand hygiene policies by healthcare staff is being adopted; and where staff fail to comply that appropriate action is taken in accordance with each NHS board'…
20 Jul 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what disciplinary action has been taken against NHS staff for failing to comply with hand hygiene guidance, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) staff group.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21150 on 18 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <u><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Ap…
17 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what aspects of nurse training deal with hospital-acquired infection, hand washing, barrier nursing and infection control; whether this training is provided to all new nurses, and whether new procedures are rolled out to the entire workforce.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The key Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) training programme for all NHS staff, new and established, is the Cleanliness Champions programme - a comprehensive national programme which provides staff with the knowledge and understanding of why it is importa…
1 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what additional financial resources it will make available to NHS boards to provide CT scanners to rural general hospitals without one.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS boards receive annual funding allocations for both revenue and capital expenditure on the basis of a formula that takes account of a range of demographic and geographical factors. Island NHS boards also receive an additional allocation of capital resource…
1 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects all rural general hospitals to have CT scanners.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: It is a matter for the relevant NHS board to decide if a CT scanner is required within their area.</p>
1 Jun 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive(a) how many and (b) which rural general hospitals have CT scanners.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Of the six rural general hospitals, five have CT scanners. These are in Lerwick, Wick, Stornoway, Oban and Fort William.</p>
11 May 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3O-6612 by Shona Robison on 23 April 2009, when the proposed visits to each local authority will take place.
Answer · Shona Robison: Following a letter being sent to local authorities at the end of April asking whether such meetings would be beneficial, eleven authorities have finalised arrangements, with the first meeting scheduled for 12 June. It is anticipated that the majority of counc…
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what access to patient transport services patients have who must attend a series of appointments requiring them to stay away from home and close to the hospital for a number of days (a) in hospital-provided accommodation, (b) in charitable accommodation, (c) in a hotel or bed and breakfas…
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: We would encourage patients to discuss their specific circumstances with their NHS board to establish the support and options available to them for transport to appointments.</p>
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what provisions are in place for patients not eligible for patient transport services who require to use taxis and cannot afford to pay the fare before reclaiming it from the NHS board.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: All NHS boards have arrangements in place for dealing with requests for payments in advance to meet travel costs from any patient who is eligible for reimbursement of travelling expenses under the Patient Travelling Expenses Schemes. This will include, where …
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether patients who require a family member to escort them to hospital are eligible for patient transport services.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) have a clear policy on relative or carer eligibility for travel with patients. A relative or a carer will be able to escort a patient where the patient is a child or if the patient''s clinical condition is such that they r…
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether patients with no access to public transport who are unable to drive are eligible for patient transport services.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: We would encourage patients in this situation, who do not meet the medical criteria for Scottish Ambulance Service Patient Transport, to discuss their requirements with their local NHS board.</p> <p >In addition, under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2004, Reg…
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many hospital appointments were missed or cancelled due to the patient transport service being unable to provide transport in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government or the Scottish Ambulance Service.</p> <p >However, the Scottish Ambulance Service is committed to reducing the number of times it is unable to provide transport and will continue to work with …
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what transport is available for patients attending hospital clinics held outwith hospital premises.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) Patient Transport Service will take patients to their appointments wherever they are being held. This will include clinics held outwith hospital premises.</p>
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what distance it considers reasonable as an additional journey for patient transport services.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Ambulance Service takes patients, or groups of patients, who have a medical need for transport to and from appointments. The service tries to ensure that resources are used in the most cost effective and efficient way possible. This means that, w…
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what transport provision is in place for day case patients who need to attend health appointments before 9 am and leave after 5 pm.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23342 on 11 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Bu…
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what distance it considers reasonable for ill or older patients to be required to walk to a bus stop or railway station when attending hospital services.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23342 on 7 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Bus…
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers it in keeping with patient confidentiality that patients accessing patient transport services are required to discuss their conditions with staff administering such schemes.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Yes. As decisions about access to the Scottish Ambulance Service Patient Transport Service are made on the basis of medical eligibility, it is necessary for staff to seek the information required to establish this.</p> <p >All NHS Employees, including those …
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what facilities are available for ill and older people who are required to wait in excess of (a) two, (b) three, (c) four, (d) five, (e) six, (f) seven and (g) eight hours for public transport to attend and return home from hospital appointments.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23342 on 7 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Bus…
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers to be a reasonable length of time for people attending hospital to wait for public transport and whether this varies with age and fitness level.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23342 on 7 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Bus…
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what patient transport is available for people who are unable to use their own transport on medical grounds and do not have access to public transport.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-19699 on 21 January 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/App…
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what patient transport is available for people who have access only to limited public transport.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23342 on 7 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Bus…
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what patient transport provision is in place for people who cannot access their own transport and do not have access to public transport.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Transport services will vary within each NHS board area across Scotland. Community and Demand Responsive Transport services play a vital role in providing access to NHS facilities in areas where public transport services are limited.</p> <p >Under the Trans…