Parliamentary questions
Ross Finnie
558 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
1 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions, and for how long, neonatal units were closed to new admissions in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Shona Robison: This information isnot held centrally, however, we are aware of issues within neonatal services, andare currently carrying out a comprehensive review of this service, through a dedicatedneonatal sub group of the Maternity Services Action Group. The Scottish G…
1 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of specialist neonatal units were closed to new admissions in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Shona Robison: This information isnot held centrally, however, we are aware of issues within neonatal services, andare currently carrying out a comprehensive review of this service, through a dedicatedneonatal sub group of the Maternity Services Action Group. The Scottish G…
1 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average occupancy rate has been for each specialist neonatal unit in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Shona Robison: The information availableis shown in table 1.</p><p>Table 1: Average Occupancy in NeonatalUnits: By Health Board Area #: Years Ending 31 March 2003 to 2007<sup>P</sup></p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td width=176 valign=top> …
1 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many nursing vacancies there have been at specialist neonatal units in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Information on thenumber of nursing vacancies at specialist neonatal units is not available centrally.</p><p>Information on nursingvacancies in NHS Scotland is published on the Scottish Health Statistics websiteunder Workforce Statistics, at <b><a href="http:…
1 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many nurses have worked in specialist neonatal units in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Information on thenumber of nurses working in specialist neonatal units is not available centrally.</p><p>Information on staffemployed in NHS Scotland is published on the Scottish Health Statistics websiteunder Workforce Statistics, at <b><a href="http://www.…
31 Oct 2007 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to tackle the overcrowding at Polmont Young Offenders Institution reported by the Chief Inspector of Prisons.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: Darroch Hall at HMPrison Greenock is planned to accommodate Young Adults fromthe 19 November 2007 providing an additional 54 places.</p><p>In addition a newHouseblock at HM Young OffendersInstitution Polmont will openin early 2009. This will provide 137 place…
30 Oct 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to review the length of time that must elapse in which a patient does not visit their dentist prior to de-registration taking place.
Answer · Shona Robison: The registration periodfor continuing care and capitation patients was extended from the previous 15 monthsto 36 months for those patients who register or re-register with a dentist on orafter 1 April 2006. While we have no immediate plans to changethis regis…
30 Oct 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS patients have been de-registered from dental practices in each of the last five years, broken down into age groups: (a) 0 to 2, (b) 3 to 5, (c) 6 to 12, (d) 13 to 17, (e) 18 to 24, (f) 25 to 34, (g) 35 to 44, (h) 45 to 54, (i) 55 to 64, (j) 65 to 74 and (k) 75 and over.
Answer · Shona Robison: The latest availableinformation is shown in the following table.</p><p>NHS GeneralDental Service Patients whose Registration Status Shows “Withdrawn”<sup>1,2</sup>;by Age Group for Financial Years Ending 31 March 2003 to 2007</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 …
30 Oct 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS patients have been de-registered from dental practices in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.
Answer · Shona Robison: The latest availableinformation is shown in the following table.</p><p>NHS GeneralDental Service Patients whose Registration Status Shows “Withdrawn”1,2; by NHSBoard for Financial Years Ending 31 March 2003-07</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <…
23 Oct 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the First Minister will reply to my letter of 17 August 2007 regarding meetings held with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The First Ministerreplied to your letter on 30 November 2007.</p>
22 Oct 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had any discussions with the UK Government about requiring manufacturers of alcohol products to display the unit content on any labelling.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer themember to the answer to question S3W-5564 on 31 October 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can befound at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…
22 Oct 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with manufacturers of alcoholic products with a view to product labelling including sensible drinking messages.
Answer · Shona Robison: I refer themember to the answer to question S3W-5564 on 31 October 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can befound at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…
22 Oct 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with manufacturers of alcoholic products with a view to product labelling displaying clearly the unit content.
Answer · Shona Robison: Scottish Governmentofficials participated in a recent Department of Health Working Group which lookedat the issue of voluntary product labelling with the alcohol industry. This resultedin agreement on a voluntary alcohollabelling format with the alcohol indus…
26 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can confirm that funding for pre-registration nursing and midwifery will continue at current levels.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The annual exerciseto determine the intake level of student nurses and midwives is currently underway.No decisions about funding can be taken until the outcome of that exercise is known.</p>
26 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make an announcement about the intake of student nurses and midwives for 2008-09 and whether it anticipates that the intake for this period will be lower than in previous years.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The annual exerciseto determine the levels of student nurse and midwife intakes is currently underwayand will be completed by the end of the year. An announcement will be made as soonas possible after the exercise is completed. It is too soon to say what the …
26 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what data it collects on funding for student nurses and midwives.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Governmentdetermines the funding available according to the numbers of student nurses andmidwives being trained. We monitor developments in higher education funding andstudent support generally, to assist in determining the levels of funding requ…
26 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of funding was for student nurse and midwife pre-registration education in the last three years for which figures are available.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The information isset out in the table below.</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td width=82 valign=top> <p> </p> </td> <td valign=top> <p>Education</p> <p>(£ Million)</p> </td> <td valign=top> <p>Bursary</p…
26 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what data it collects on intake levels for student nurses and midwives.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Data on intake levelsfor student nurses and midwives is sourced from NHS Education for Scotland’s “Annual Statistical Supplement”. Intake numbers forstudent nurses and midwives are collected and shown by financial year and nursingspeciality. Figures are also …
26 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the intake levels have been for student nurses and midwives in each of the last three years.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Information on intakelevels for student nurses and midwives is published on the Scottish Health Statisticswebsite under workforce statistics, at <ahref="http://www.isdscotland.org/workforce">www.isdscotland.org/workforce</a>.</p><p>Section E gives detailsof t…
25 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the interests of visitors and carers will be considered by the hospital parking charges review group.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The review groupincludes patient and carer representatives nominated by the Scottish HealthCouncil. The council has also agreed to ensure that the group is made fullyaware of the views of patients in the five NHS board areas where hospital carparking charges …
25 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the interests of hospital workers will be considered by the hospital parking charges review group.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The review groupincludes staff side representatives to ensure that the group is fully aware of the views of staff about hospital car parking arrangements and charges.</p>
25 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the effect of centralising hospital services and consequential impact on increased car use will be considered by the hospital parking charges review group.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The ScottishGovernment has made it clear that there will be a presumption againstcentralisation of services. National guidance on major service change indicatesthat boards must ensure that any potentially adverse impact of a proposedservice change on, for exa…
25 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the hospital parking charges review group will take account of other government strategies, including the climate change programme, in its recommendations.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The group willtake full account of the statutory and policy context, including the NationalTransport Strategy for Scotland. This sets out the Government’s long-termvision, objectives, priorities and plans, and specifically provides for “alllocal authorities a…
25 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which voluntary organisation will be represented on the hospital parking charges review group and why this organisation was chosen.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Macmillan CancerSupport have been invited to join the review group in view of their knowledgeand experience through the Better Deal<i> </i>campaign on the cost of traveland car parking. (Details about the Better Deal<i> </i>campaign can be foundat:</p><p><ah…
25 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the hospital parking charges review group will take evidence from relevant organisations, including local authorities.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The review groupmet for the first time on 2 October 2007 and is due to reportby the end of November. The group has agreed arrangements to seek the views ofpatients, the public and staff.</p>
13 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to consult patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their carers on the design and delivery of the care that they receive.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The development ofManaged Clinical Networks, whether for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)or respiratory conditions more generally, gives those with COPD, their carers, andthose who speak on their behalf, an opportunity to contribute to the way ser…
13 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether implementing clinical standards and co-ordinating care through managed clinical networks would ensure that people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease would have better, local and faster access to healthcare services.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: That would be theexpectation.</p>
13 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it recognises inequalities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease care across Scotland and what plans it has to address such inequalities.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Audit Scotland reporton long-term conditions draws attention to the links between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and deprivation.</p><p><i>Better Health, Better Care </i>sets out our commitment to putting health inequalitiesat the heart of t…
13 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to introduce clinical standards for the care of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in tandem with the establishment of airways disease managed clinical networks in every NHS board area to implement such standards.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The development ofclinical standards is a matter for NHS Quality Improvement Scotland. It is keepingin close touch with work on the National Service Framework (NSF) for chronic obstructivepulmonary disease (COPD) being developed in England and will consider w…
13 Sep 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to implement the recommendations relating to the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease set out in the Audit Scotland report, Managing long-term conditions.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: While the Audit Scotland report contains very useful information on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, its recommendations are couched in relationto all long-term conditions. We will take these into account in the plan for long-termconditions which is bei…