Former Member of the Scottish Parliament

Ross Finnie

Unknown party

At a glance Ross Finnie was a Member of the Scottish Parliament.

Questions558 tabled

Ross Finnie has tabled 558 questions in the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria would be applied in considering the introduction of (a) image assisted scre… 15 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria would be applied in considering the introduction of (a) image assisted screening and (b) human papilloma virus (HPV) testing in screening for cervical cancer.

Answer · Shona Robison · 11 Mar 2011

The UK National Screening Committee provides expert advice to the four UK countries on screening programmes and is yet to fully consider HPV testing in screening for cervical cancer. In addition, the Breast and Cervical Screening National Advisory Group has recommended that a sub group be established to consider HPV testing within the cervical screening programme in Scotland. The sub-group will use its expertise to consider the available evidence and will provide advice to the Scottish Government. The timeline for the sub-group to report will be agreed shortly. With any introduction of or change to screening programmes in Scotland, evidence, effectiveness and cost benefit is always considered to ensure that the best possible programme in delivered for the Scottish population.

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the liquid-based cytology equipment used in primary screening for cervica… 15 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the liquid-based cytology equipment used in primary screening for cervical cancer to come to the end of its working life.

Answer · Shona Robison · 11 Mar 2011

Liquid-based cytology equipment has a working life of between seven to 10 years. The original installation dates at each NHS board vary between 2001 to 2007 and NHS boards are responsible for the replacement of this equipment.

To ask the Scottish Executive whether a decision on the introduction of (a) image assisted screening or (b) testing for… 15 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether a decision on the introduction of (a) image assisted screening or (b) testing for human papilloma virus (HPV) in screening for cervical cancer would be taken on a comparative or individual basis.

Answer · Shona Robison · 11 Mar 2011

The Scottish Government commissioned a feasibility study of image assisted screening which took place between March 2009 and September 2010. The Feasibility Study Report can be found on the Scottish Government website at: <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/health/screening/cervicalscreening/LabReviewGroup/CervicalCytologyReports">http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/health/screening/cervicalscreening/LabReviewGroup/CervicalCytologyReports</a>. At its last meeting in January 2011, the Breast and Cervical Screening National Advisory Group recommended that a sub group be established to consider HPV testing within the cervical screening programme. The National Advisory Group will at its next meeting consider the remit, membership and timing of this sub-group.

To ask the Scottish Executive whether a pilot exercise is taking place, or is planned, for (a) image assisted screening… 15 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether a pilot exercise is taking place, or is planned, for (a) image assisted screening or (b) testing for human papilloma virus (HPV) in screening for cervical cancer and, if so, over what timescale.

Answer · Shona Robison · 11 Mar 2011

(a) The Scottish Government commissioned a feasibility study of image assisted screening which took place between March 2009 and September 2010. The Feasibility Study Report can be found on the Scottish Government website at: <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/health/screening/cervicalscreening/LabReviewGroup/CervicalCytologyReports">http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/health/screening/cervicalscreening/LabReviewGroup/CervicalCytologyReports</a>. (b) The HPV Test of Cure early implementation study commenced on 1 February 2011 and will take 12 months to complete.

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to consider introducing (a) image assisted screening or (b) testing for … 15 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to consider introducing (a) image assisted screening or (b) testing for human papilloma virus (HPV) in screening for cervical cancer and, if so, over what timescale.

Answer · Shona Robison · 11 Mar 2011

(a) The Cervical Cytology Laboratory Review Group has recommended the introduction of image assisted screening if cost effective to NHS Boards. The new Laboratory Consortium Steering Group has been asked to consider cost effectiveness as part of its work. (b) Consideration will be given to introducing HPV testing as a Test of Cure nationally following the early implementation study which will conclude its work on 31 January 2012.

To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the benefits of (a) image assisted screening and (b) testi… 15 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the benefits of (a) image assisted screening and (b) testing for human papilloma virus (HPV) in screening for cervical cancer.

Answer · Shona Robison · 10 Mar 2011

(a) The Scottish Government commissioned a feasibility study of image assisted screening and the recommendation has been made that image assisted screening meets the quality requirements and should be introduced where it is cost effective. The Feasibility Study Report can be found on the Scottish Government website at: <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/health/screening/cervicalscreening/LabReviewGroup/CervicalCytologyReports">http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/health/screening/cervicalscreening/LabReviewGroup/CervicalCytologyReports</a>. (b) The HPV Test of Cure early implementation study commenced on 1 February 2011 for one year with pilot sites in NHS Lothian, Grampian, Shetland, Orkney, Highland and Western Isles. Women in these pilot sites, who have been treated for high grade cervical disease since 1 August 2010, will in addition to cytology testing also be tested for HPV.

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the national screening programme for cervical cancer over the next … 15 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the national screening programme for cervical cancer over the next five years.

Answer · Shona Robison · 10 Mar 2011

Cervical screening is and will remain an important part of the Scottish Government''s strategy on reducing the burden of cancer through early detection for many years to come. The introduction of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination programme is expected to have an impact on the prevalence of HPV, and so cervical cancer, amongst women in Scotland in the long term, which may lead in due course to changes in the screening programme. The Breast and Cervical Screening National Advisory Group has recommended that a sub group be established to consider HPV testing within the cervical screening programme. The sub-group will use its expertise to consider the available evidence and will provide advice to the Scottish Government. The timeline for the sub-group to report will be agreed shortly. The HPV Test of Cure early implementation study commenced on 1 February 2011 for one year with pilot sites in NHS Lothian, Grampian, Shetland, Orkney, Highland and Western Isles. Women in these pilot sites, who have been treated for high grade cervical disease since 1 August 2010, will in addition to cytology testing also be tested for HPV. It is always important to keep abreast of new technologies and in 2009, the Scottish Government commissioned a feasibility study of image assisted screening which took place between March 2009 and September 2010. The Feasibility Study Report can be found on the Scottish Government website at: <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/health/screening/cervicalscreening/LabReviewGroup/CervicalCytologyReports">http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/health/screening/cervicalscreening/LabReviewGroup/CervicalCytologyReports</a>. We will continue to take account of epidemiological and surveillance information as well as new developments in technology when taking future decisions about the screening programme.

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address staffing pressures facing paediatric services in the … 15 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address staffing pressures facing paediatric services in the West of Scotland.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon · 10 Mar 2011

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-39658 on 10 March 2011. 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/PQA/Default.aspx">http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx</a>.

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Motions lodged201 lodged

9 Feb 2011	Early Intervention in Health and Education	0 sig.
17 Nov 2010	Prescription Charges	0 sig.
7 Sep 2010	Hunterston Not the Way Forward for Carbon Capture	11 sig.
22 Jun 2010	Free Personal Care for the Elderly	0 sig.
8 Jun 2010	Support Foster Parent Drive	16 sig.
2 Jun 2010	The NHS	0 sig.

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Seat & career3 seats held

West of Scotland (region) Regional MSP · Dissolution 3 May 2007 – 22 Mar 2011
West of Scotland (region) Regional MSP · Dissolution 1 May 2003 – 2 Apr 2007
West of Scotland (region) Regional MSP · Dissolution 6 May 1999 – 31 Mar 2003

Source: this MSP's profile on parliament.scot.

Source: this MSP's official Scottish Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.