Parliamentary questions
Dr Richard Simpson
2,702 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
14 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information pharmacists will be able to access from GPs’ records under the chronic medication service between GPs’ and pharmacists.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Whilst a patient is asked to provide informed consent for the sharing of relevant data between the community pharmacist and their GP when registering for the chronic medication service (CMS), CMS does not allow pharmacists to access GP held patient records. E…
14 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve the safety of oxygen therapy in hospitals.
Answer · Shona Robison: Operational management guidance, safety action notices and Hazard Notices relating to the provision of oxygen therapy equipment in Scottish Hospitals is available from Health Facilities Scotland, a division of NHS National Services Scotland.</b></p> <p >Supp…
14 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what contracts exist in each NHS board with community-based optometrists to provide services over and above general ophthalmic services and what services are being developed.
Answer · Shona Robison: The information requested is presented in the following table<i >. </i></b></p> <p >NHS boards can provide more detailed information on these arrangements if required.</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td valign=top > …
14 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were registered as blind in (a) 2007, (b) 2008 and (c) 2009 and how many had glaucoma, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested on how many people were registered as blind is given in table 1a of <i >Registered Blind and Partially Sighted Persons, Scotland 2010</i>, published by the Scottish Government on 26 October 2010. The publication is web only and can b…
14 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that a managed clinical network for alcohol-related brain damage is established.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-36918 on 9 November 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Busines…
14 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that patients with alcohol-related brain damage are identified earlier and supported by a multidisciplinary team assessment, integrated services and a care plan with clear goals for treatment, care and rehabilitation, in light of the findings of the Ment…
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Ministerial Advisory Committee on Alcohol Problems Essential Services short-life working group has been tasked with reappraising and updating the range of acute alcohol treatment and support services that are essential for local areas, taking int…
11 Oct 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the registered users’ version of the 2010 update of the British Guideline on the Management of Asthma has been delayed and, if so, for what reason and what action it will take to ensure that it is completed in time for the launch of the guideline in January 2011.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Since 2003, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network and the British Thoracic Society jointly update annually, sections of the British Guideline on the Management of Asthma.</b></p> <p >For the first time, a patient version of the British Guideline on…
30 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements there have been in the Perth constituency since 2008, broken down by (a) ministerial portfolio, (b) date and (c) location.
Answer · John Swinney: The information requested is not routinely recorded and is therefore not held in the format requested. Systems were put in place on 8 March 2010 to collect this information more easily and we have provided the following tables.</b></p> <p align=left >Fiona …
30 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many ministerial engagements there have been in the Ochil constituency since 2008, broken down by (a) ministerial portfolio, (b) date and (c) location.
Answer · John Swinney: The information requested is not routinely recorded and is therefore not held in the format requested. Systems were put in place on 8 March 2010 to collect this information more easily and we have provided the following tables.</b></p> <p >Alex Salmond MSP</…
24 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to tackle smoking in deprived areas and whether it would consider setting targets to reduce prevalence in communities where there is deprivation.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government is investing heavily in evidence-informed NHS stop smoking services, over £40 million in the current spending review period, to enable NHS boards to deliver high quality, accessible services across their population. This includes subst…
24 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent on social marketing campaigns in each year since 2007, broken down by campaign.
Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the Scottish Government website where social marketing spend for campaigns from 2007 to 2009-10 has already been published. Please see the attached link:</b></p> <p >www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Directorates/Services-Groups/17963/advertisi…
23 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the rates of smoking among Bangladeshi and Pakistani men living in Scotland are higher than for men in other black and minority ethnic communities and the Scottish average for men, allowing for deprivation, and, if so, what specific steps it is taking to support these men in their…
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is investing heavily in NHS stop smoking services, over £40 million in this spending period, to enable NHS boards to provide high-quality and accessible services to all smokers across their areas.</b></p> <p >There is limited nationa…
23 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funds were allocated to smoking cessation in (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08, (c) 2008-09, (d) 2009-10 and have been allocated in 2010-11, broken down by NHS board and also expressed as a percentage of each board’s budget.
Answer · Shona Robison: The following table contains a breakdown by NHS board of smoking cessation allocations.</b></p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td width=121 nowrap valign=top > <p align=left > </p> </td> <td width=113 cols…
23 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring progress in reducing the levels of smoking by patients in mental health inpatient units.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government recognises the many challenges faced by both service users and service providers in mental health establishments in relation to smoking levels. That is why detailed guidance is being developed by Health Scotland which will help to info…
23 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to reduce the level of smoking by patients in mental health inpatient units.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is driving forward a programme of action to improve the physical and mental well being of those with mental health problems, including by encouraging and promoting smoke-free lifestyles.</b></p> <p >In March 2010, following extensive …
23 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the rate is of eye tests by each (a) NHS board and (b) local authority, broken down by deprivation category, in the last year for which statistics are available.
Answer · Shona Robison: Trend data showing the rate of NHS eye tests by NHS board at 31 March 2010 is available at <a href="http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/4715.html">http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/4715.html</a>. </p> <p >Information is not held centrally that would enable analysis …
23 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what element of the concordat with local authorities provides detail on support for people with visual impairment.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government concordat with local government does not specifically address support for people with visual impairment.</p> <p >This level of detail is more likely to be addressed in a local authority area service plan.</p>
23 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it is setting the NHS in respect of sight loss.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government has endorsed the Scottish Vision Strategy which includes a strategic objective to eliminate avoidable sight loss and deliver excellent support to those with a visual impairment.</p> <p >In addition, the new General Ophthalmic Services…
23 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what specific awareness-raising campaigns it has undertaken or will undertake to increase understanding of the link between smoking and sight loss.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government recognises that smoking can be a contributory factor to vision loss in some cases.</p> <p >To coincide with the introduction of the smoke-free legislation in 2006, which banned smoking in most work places, the Scottish Government sup…
23 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it is having with RNIB, Optometry Scotland and other stakeholders in reviewing and promoting new ways of working, including contracts with optometrists to ensure the most cost-effective and patient-friendly follow-up of people with diabetes, glaucoma and macular degenerat…
Answer · Shona Robison: Officials met with RNIB on 23 September and I met with Optometry Scotland on 27 September to discuss further developments of eye care services in the community, including further services which might be undertaken by optometrists. I also announced on 27 Septe…
23 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote the development of eye care managed clinical networks encompassing NHS optometrists and voluntary organisations either in every NHS board area or on a more regional basis.
Answer · Shona Robison: Officials have had discussions with the Scottish Eyecare Group which represents optometrists and ophthalmologists about the possible development of eye care managed clinical networks.</p>
23 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps NHS boards have taken to ensure that correspondence regarding hospital appointments is in larger type or other alternative formats, such as Braille or audio, so that it is accessible to visually impaired people.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-36497 on 4 October 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliamen…
23 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has undertaken to ensure that visually impaired people have equal treatment in the New Ways waiting times system.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Audit Scotland report on Managing NHS waiting lists: A review of new arrangement<i > </i>published in March 2010, recommended the need to improve systems of recording patient''s additional needs and put appropriate support in place for those who need it a…
16 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many whole-time equivalent nurse specialists are working specifically in neurology, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Workforce data is published by National Services Scotland, Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland annually, as at 30 September. Information showing clinical nurse specialists by specialty, including neuroscience/neurology, and NHS board at 30 Septem…
16 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many newly diagnosed patients each nurse specialist in neurology has responsibility for annually.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This information is not held centrally. However, it is for NHS boards to determine their workforce requirements, including specialist nurses, based on the clinical needs of the population and service developments in their area.</p>
16 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many whole-time equivalent nurse specialists are working specifically in epilepsy, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Workforce data is published by National Services Scotland, Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland annually, as at 30 September. Information showing clinical nurse specialists by specialty, including epilepsy, and NHS board at 30 September 2009 is av…
16 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many newly diagnosed patients each nurse specialist in epilepsy has responsibility for annually.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This information is not held centrally. However, it is for NHS boards to determine their workforce requirements, including specialist nurses, based on the clinical needs of the population and service developments in their area.</p>
16 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions ministers have had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) regarding road issues at sites 5 and 6 at Almondbank, Perthshire, where the Scottish Government is a tenant of DEFRA.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Scottish Government officials have had some discussion with Defra regarding a proposal by them to transfer the legal title and maintenance responsibilities for part of the road serving Site 6 Almondbank from Defra to Scottish Government. As the full implicati…
15 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether academic track neurosurgeons in training in Scotland have adequate opportunities for advancement in Scotland
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Clinical Research Excellence Development Scheme (SCREDS) operates as a partnership between Scottish Universities and NHS Education for Scotland, and provides an integrated training and career development pathway enabling pre-Certificate of Comple…
15 Sep 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) professors of and (b) senior lecturer posts in neurosurgery there were in 1999 and how many there are now
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This information is not held centrally.</p> <p >The Scottish Government is aware, however, that at present there is one academic neurosurgery post in Scotland.</p>