Parliamentary questions

Rhona Brankin

707 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

10 Mar 2011 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it provides to the Scottish Fair Trade Forum to assist in Scotland’s bid to become a Fair Trade Nation.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: In April 2010, the Scottish Fair Trade Forum was awarded £239,907 over two financial years to take forward the Scottish Government''s commitment to becoming one of the world''s first Fair Trade Nations.

24 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position in on NHS dental patients having appointments cancelled in order for a dental practice to reduce its waiting list for private treatment.

Answer · Shona Robison: It is regrettable if some NHS patients are having appointments cancelled to facilitate private dental provision, although we have no current evidence to suggest that this is occurring. Access to NHS general dental services is improving with an additi…

24 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive under what circumstances pregnant women resident in Midlothian are expected to travel to Lanarkshire to give birth.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all women and their babies are cared for using safe, clinically effective, evidence based models of care, before, during and after pregnancy. The only circumstances in Lothian where a woman would …

2 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that a shift towards personalised services, as outlined in the Better Health, Better Care: Action Plan, should include homeopathic options.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: HDL(2005)37 indicates that a GP or hospital clinician may refer a patient for alternative treatment if satisfied of the value of the treatment and the competence of the practitioner. That advice remains extant. It is consistent with the person centred ambitio…

2 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-37848 by Nicola Sturgeon on 25 November 2010, what its position is on whether the withdrawal of homeopathic services in NHS Lothian is consistent with “person-centredness and compassion” and “a holistic approach to people’s healthcare needs.”

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: My understanding is that NHS Lothian has not taken a final decision about the future of local homoeopathic services. I have made it clear that I fully expect the board to engage with all local stakeholders as it further develops its plans. I have been advised…

2 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers homeopathy to have a place in relation to the Scottish Government’s integrative approach to patient care.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Homoeopathy can contribute to the Scottish Government''s integrative approach to patient care. We recognise that complementary or alternative therapies, including homoeopathy, may offer relief to some people suffering from a wide variety of conditions. Insigh…

2 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the cost-effectiveness of homeopathy in relation to the Scottish Government’s integrative approach to patient care.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: In primary care, costs will relate to the cost of the remedy, which can be cheaper than the cost of orthodox drugs. Practitioners have also noted a reduction in side effects and dependency risks in some cases. In secondary care in Scotland, homoeopathy is onl…

2 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the usefulness of homeopathy in relation to the Scottish Government’s integrative approach to patient care.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Homoeopathy in the NHS is used only by registered health care professionals, integrated within their wider practice. It is reported as useful, both in specialist secondary care and in the 50% or so of general practices in Scotland which prescribe homoeopathy …

24 Jan 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a statutory requirement for NHS Lothian to hold a consultation regarding its proposal to cease funding homeopathy services and, if so, what this requirement is.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The 2004 NHS Reform Act introduced a statutory duty on NHS boards to encourage public engagement in both the planning and development of local services and/or decisions made by the NHS board that would significantly affect the operation of those services. The…

25 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers homeopathy to fall within its definition of integrative care.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: There appears to be some confusion currently about the distinction between integrative care and homeopathy. It is therefore important to make clear that the concept of integrative care is broader than any specific therapy, and is not dependent on the employme…

25 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to implement an integrative care approach for people with long-term conditions.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The insights and principles gathered through the development of an integrative care approach to long term conditions management have helped inform our Long Term Conditions Action Plan and our Quality Strategy, with their emphasis on person-centredness and com…

25 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the development of an integrative care approach for people with long-term conditions.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government fully supports the use of an integrative care approach for people living with long-term conditions. We have appointed a Lead Clinician for Integrative Care to take that approach forward as a key part of our work on the management of lo…

16 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether members of the public will have the opportunity to speak at the East and Midlothian Community Health Partnership sub-committee public meetings to be held before the end of November 2010.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government fully supports public engagement within Community Health Partnerships (CHPs). CHP regulations makes provision for the views of services users, carers, voluntary organisations and interested individuals to be formally represented throug…

16 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the results of the comparison between homeopathic and conventional treatments commissioned by NHS Tayside.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government has not reviewed the comparison between homeopathic and conventional treatments commissioned by NHS Tayside. The planning and provision of NHS services is a matter for NHS boards. Decisions regarding which treatments are a…

16 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what literature was reviewed in the review of NHS Lothian Community Health Partnership’s provision of homeopathic services.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held centrally. NHS boards in Scotland are responsible for providing NHS services in accordance with national and local priorities and in line with the health needs of the population. The planning and provision of…

11 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers the benefits for communities in Midlothian will be of the Borders Railway when it is completed.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the Borders Railway project website where details of the benefits the railway will bring to communities can be found at: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/rail/projects/borders-railway/benefits.

11 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects work to begin on construction of the Borders Railway.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Construction of the first of the authorised works defined by the Waverley Railway (Scotland) Act 2006 commenced on 3 March 2010.

11 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive by what date it expects work on the Borders Railway to be completed.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27487 on 25 September 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA…

11 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications are for the completion of the Borders Railway of reports that only two contractors remain on the shortlist for construction of the line.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Borders Railway project remains on programme with two very strong international consortia involved in the Borders Railway procurement discussions. The Scottish Government remains confident that the procurement will result in a quality project that is good…

8 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual cost to the NHS is of providing homeopathy services, also broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held centrally. NHS boards in Scotland are responsible for providing NHS services in accordance with national and local priorities and in line with the health needs of the population. The planning and provision of NHS…

8 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS boards provide homeopathy services.

8 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what research evidence NHS Lothian bases its proposal to reduce homeopathy services.

4 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that older people have a good quality of life.

Answer · Shona Robison: We are taking the principles of the All Our Futures strategy “ older people contributing and participating, enjoying a sense of purpose and belonging, respected and included “ forward in the context of our single purpose for a prosperous Scotland from…

4 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors compliance with the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 regarding the prescribing of antipsychotic drugs to older people in care homes and hospitals.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 (the Act) does not specifically address particular types of medical treatment, such as the prescribing of antipsychotic drugs to older people in care settings. Part 5 of the Act sets out the rules o…

4 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to tackle inappropriate prescribing of antipsychotic drugs to older people in care homes and hospitals.

Answer · Shona Robison: The National Dementia Strategy is committed to tackling the inappropriate prescribing of psychoactive drugs, including antipsychotics, as part of ensuring that people always receive care and treatment that is appropriate and which recognises their rights and …

4 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the mental wellbeing of older people in care homes is included in the qualification framework for nurses and care assistants.

Answer · Shona Robison: A range of measures are in place or are being further developed to ensure that staff in care homes have the skills to meet the needs of the residents. The National Care Standards require that the care and support which care home residents receiv…

4 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve the mental wellbeing of older people in care homes.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Care Commission''s National Care Standards include a focus on improving and sustaining the mental wellbeing of older people in care homes in requiring care home services to provide opportunities for residents to take part in physical activities in, or out…

4 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 is being implemented in a consistent way across Scotland.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2009 builds on, and amends, the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. The 2004 Act provides the legal framework which underpins the system for identifying and addressing…

4 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any recent reductions in the number of staff who support pupils with additional support needs.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The term additional support needs applies to children or young people who, for whatever reason, require additional support, long or short term, to help them to make the most of their learning. The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 200…

4 Nov 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will review the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004.

Answer · Adam Ingram: The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2009 which was commenced on 14 November 2010 builds on and strengthens the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. In November 2007, Her Majesty''s Inspectora…