Parliamentary questions
Dr Richard Simpson
2,702 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
8 May 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what requirement exists for Transport Scotland, Network Rail, freight train operators and the Office of the Rail Regulator to consult the affected communities prior to amending train timetables to include night-time operating and what requirements exist for these organisations to undertak…
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: During the parliamentary process to support re-opening the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway line the Promoter, Clackmannanshire Council, submitted a memorandum to the parliamentary committee entitled the <i>Promoters Memorandum on Existing Railway Processes<…
8 May 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, given the emails from DB Schenker Rail to Transport Scotland, First ScotRail and Network Rail on 30 November and 11 December 2007 regarding the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway line freight timetable study five showing “EWS horror at the loss of in excess of one hour in 83 mile (train) …
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government is not aware of how many journeys were proposed by DB Schenker but Network Rail offered 12 paths, Hunterston through to Longannet and return, in their initial offer based on no overnight working.</p> <p >Proposals to undertake nightti…
8 May 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it intended to inform the public and affected householders along the Larbert to Stirling train line of the intention to operate freight trains at night.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government has no powers to control the operation of rail freight services at night and therefore would expect normal rail industry processes to apply.</p>
8 May 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what changes to passenger rail services between Edinburgh and Fife between 10 pm and 6 am necessitated that Transport Scotland require DB Schenker Rail to reroute deliveries of coal to Longannet power station via Larbert, Stirling and Alloa.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: There were no changes to passenger rail services between Edinburgh and Fife between 10 pm and 6 am that necessitated the rerouting of coal deliveries to Longannet power station via Larbert, Stirling and Alloa.</p>
8 May 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what external consultation was undertaken regarding the operation of freight trains on the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway line, as referred to in an email from DB Schenker Rail to Transport Scotland on 22 February 2008.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland understand that the consultation referred to is with other train operating companies as part of the normal rail industry timetable setting process.</p>
8 May 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, Scottish Government officials or Transport Scotland consulted Clackmannanshire Council or the affected communities about the night-time operation of freight trains on the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway line and, if …
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: No because the Scottish Government''s powers are limited to the specification of a franchise for the operation of passenger services in Scotland and for overnight sleeper services to London. Scottish Government powers do not extend to the operation of freight…
8 May 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it and Transport Scotland first became aware that “the Alloa route was planned by Network Rail to be available 24 hours, 6 days a week to accommodate coal trains”, as stated in a letter from DB Schenker Rail to Clackmannanshire Council on 4 March 2009.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland first became aware that agreement had been reached through the normal rail industry timetable setting process to accommodate 24 hour, six days a week pathing of coal trains along the Alloa route in July 2008.</p>
8 May 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive,given the discussions of the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway project steering group on version five of the timetable modelling study, at what point Transport Scotland offered or acceded to support any request from DB Schenker Rail to extend freight services including operation between 1…
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Scottish ministers'' powers are limited to the granting of a franchise for the operation of passenger services in Scotland and for overnight sleeper services to London. Those powers do not extend to the operation of freight trains. Therefore, when advised by …
8 May 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what issues were discussed, agreements were reached and decisions were made between DB Schenker Rail, Transport Scotland and the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change in respect of freight train operations on the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway line at their meeting …
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: In respect of freight train operations on the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway line the issues discussed were:</p> <p >1. The contractual arrangements between DB Schenker and Clydeport;</p> <p >2. Track access charges;</p> <p >3. The public timetable chan…
8 May 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change agreed to promote, sponsor or assist 24-hour working six days a week for DB Schenker Rail freight trains on the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway line and, if so, when.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Scottish ministers have no powers to control the time of the operation of freight trains whose operators have secured rights to track access through normal rail industry processes.</p>
8 May 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change became aware of the decision by DB Schenker Rail to apply to change the timetabling of freight trains on the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway line to include operation between 11 pm and 7 am.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: On 6 February 2009, the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change received a briefing about noise and vibration complaints generating from public concern about the night time freight operations on the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway line.</p…
29 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the refreshed review of the Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke Strategy will be published.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: <i >The Heart Disease and Stroke Action Plan</i>, as it is now called, will be published next month.</p>
29 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will impose a moratorium on all pharmacy licence applications in areas covered by a dispensing GP until it has reviewed the process and the effects of previous applications.
Answer · Shona Robison: NHS boards consider applications to open community pharmacies in accordance with the provisions of the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services)(Scotland) Regulations 1995. The Scottish Government cannot intervene in the consideration of the applications and do not have …
29 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will require NHS boards to notify a dispensing GP immediately when an application for a pharmacy licence is made in the same area.
Answer · Shona Robison: Under the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1995, NHS boards must inform certain groups of an application to open a new community pharmacy. This includes the relevant Area Medical Committee, to whom any GP may offer their representations. H…
29 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many new pharmacies have opened in rural areas covered by a dispensing GP since 2005 and what effect this has had on the practices.
Answer · Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally.</p>
29 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to NHS boards regarding whom they should consult about any proposed change in service resulting from the approval of a pharmacy licence in an area served by a dispensing GP.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answers to questions S3W-23366 and S3W-23367 on 13 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.parlia…
29 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the arrangements for permitting new pharmacy dispensing licences in an area already served by a dispensing GP are appropriate in that they are different from the regulations in England.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23373 on 13 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…
29 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Health Council has been asked to comment on the consultation process or given general advice on consultation regarding the granting of a pharmacy licence in an area already served by a dispensing GP.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is not involved in the process for considering applications to open new community pharmacies. I am not aware whether any NHS board has approached the Scottish Health Council in relation to any such application to open a community pharm…
29 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of its letter to Anne McGuire MP on 28 September 2007, whether it still considers that an existing requirement for a dispensing GP can be altered in favour of a pharmacy licence without public consultation.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to S3W-23367 on 13 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/Business/PQ…
29 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers proposals to open a new dispensing pharmacy in an area served by a dispensing GP as a “change to local service delivery” that requires public consultation in terms of the National Health Service Reform (Scotland) Act 2004.
Answer · Shona Robison: It is for NHS boards to consider the duties placed upon them by the National Health Service Reform (Scotland) Act 2004. The Scottish Government are not involved in considering applications to open new community pharmacies. However, we are currently considerin…
29 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to NHS boards in respect of determining “need and desirability” as criteria for establishing whether a new pharmacy licence should be granted in an area served by a dispensing GP.
Answer · Shona Robison: NHS boards consider applications to open community pharmacies in line with the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services)(Scotland) Regulations 1995. These provide the framework for the handling of applications and associated appeals and leave discretion with NHS boards t…
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason it has not included for roll-out of targeted MRSA screening those patients who have repeated admissions.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Those patients who are readmissions are included in the national screening programme for most elective admissions and high risk specialties. NHS boards MRSA policies are based on local clinical risk assessment and, in general, involve targeted screening of sp…
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason it has not included for roll-out of targeted MRSA screening those patients with a previous listing of MRSA.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Those patients who are previously known MRSA colonised are included in the national screening programme for screening of most elective admissions and the defined high-risk specialties. NHS boards MRSA policies are based on local clinical risk assessment and, …
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing of MRSA screening for most elective admissions to acute specialities and both elective and acute admissions to nephrology, vascular surgery, dermatology and care of the elderly (Official Report c. 16601), what…
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23328 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, given that the NHS Scotland MRSA Screening Pathfinder Programme Interim Report 2009 has not produced evidence of the cost effectiveness of universal screening for MRSA, what alternative plans for targeted screening are being developed and what the likely annual costs are of such alternat…
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23328 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 steps it proposes to take with respect to care homes and admissions to hospital from care homes in light of the finding in the NHS Scotland MRSA Screening Pathfinder Programme Interim Report 2009 that 25% of people admitted showed MRSA colonisation.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: There are known risk factors for colonisation with MRSA, for example, patients with a past history of MRSA, frequent re-admissions, direct interhospital transfers from hospitals abroad or hospitals in the UK with a high prevalence of MRSA and residents care f…
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria and thresholds it proposes to use to determine whether the pilot MRSA screening programmes are cost effective.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The decision to introduce a national MRSA screening programme was taken, to minimise the spread of infection in hospital, minimise the risk of infection between patients and to ensure public confidence. However, following the full evaluation of the Pathfinder…
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the screening practice is for MRSA in non-pathfinder programme NHS boards.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Currently non-pathfinder NHS boards have local policies for MRSA screening as part of their local infection control policies. These policies are based on local clinical risk assessment related to MRSA and in general involve targeted screening of specific spec…
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being used in the MRSA Screening Pathfinder Programme under the third aim, patient and staff acceptability, to determine the psychological effects of testing.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The key objectives for aim three on staff and patient acceptability are:</p> <p >To explore patient and family experiences and opinions of the MRSA screening programme, identifying perceived benefits and aspects they feel could be improved upon, relative to…
28 Apr 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to improve the 22% availability rate of isolation facilities for MRSA as reported in the NHS Scotland MRSA Screening Pathfinder Programme Interim Report 2009.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: <i >CEL 48 (2008)</i> issued on 11 November 2008 provides guidance to NHS boards on the provision of 100% single room accommodation for new build facilities and a minimum of 50% for refurbished facilities. Patients with infection do not always need to be care…