Carolyn Leckie

21 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review the statutory framework in respect of reporting of upheld complaints by the Care Commission to relevant public bodies in light of the case of Mrs Alma Murray, whilst a patient in an NHS-contracted bed at the BUPA Hatton Lea Nursing home in Bellshill.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: We have no immediate plansto review the statutory framework in respect of the reporting of complaintsupheld by the Care Commission to other relevant public bodies. The currentframework already allows for such reports to be made when necessary.</p><p>The Care …

16 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the public statements by England’s Chief Medical Officer and supported by the Department of Health, what peer-reviewed and published scientific evidence there is to substantiate the statement that “science shows that a baby’s immune system can cope with thousands of vaccines.”

Answer · Andy Kerr: I refer you to the officialjournal of the American Academy of Pediatrics <i>Pediatrics</i> and the paperentitled <i>Addressing Parents’ Concerns: Do Multiple Vaccines Overwhelm orWeaken the Infant’s Immune System?</i> P. A. Offit, J. Quarles, M. A. Gerber,C. …

16 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the public statements by England’s Chief Medical Officer and supported by the Department of Health, what peer-reviewed and published scientific evidence there is to substantiate the statement that vaccinated children in the UK grow up more healthy than unvaccinated children.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The precise statement madeby England’s Chief Medical Officer on The Midday News Radio 5 Live show on Wednesday 8 February 2006 was as follows, “And all the studies show that children who arevaccinated are much healthier than children who aren't even against t…

16 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether all medical personnel providing care to NHS patients will be required to register interests in pharmaceuticals.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: All NHS staff require tocomply with the standards of business conduct for NHS staff and should declareany interest which may conflict with their NHS employment. The ScottishExecutive Health Department published guidance in 2003, <i>A commonunderstanding on jo…

16 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any registration scheme in respect of doctors registering interests in pharmaceuticals will involve a contractual commitment.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The existing arrangements were set out in 2003 in the guidance <i>A Common</i> <i>Understanding</i> which required that all NHS employees and independent contractors record with their health board any financial interest which might impact on NHS funding.</p> …

16 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are with regard to doctors registering interests in pharmaceuticals.

Answer · Andy Kerr: All doctors are bound by professional guidance from the General Medical Council which requires that their prescribing is not affected by any interests they may have in pharmaceutical companies.</p> <p>As far as general practitioners in the NHS are concerned, …

15 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in what way the provisions of Schedule 2 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 were applied in 1995 to advise the public of the commencement of the Skye Bridge toll period.

Answer · Tavish Scott: There was no statutory requirementby the Scottish Office of that time in terms of schedule 2 to the Roads (Scotland)Act 1984, to advise the public of the commencement of the toll period.</p>

15 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22386 by Tavish Scott on 31 January 2006 and given that the Skye Bridge concessionaire required to be in possession of an assignation statement, when the intended concessionaire received the unsigned and undated seven-page document.

Answer · Tavish Scott: I understand that the then ScottishOffice position was that Skye Bridge Tolls Limited was in possession of the documentby the time it was made available for public inspection on 23 October 1991.</p>

15 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22386 by Tavish Scott on 31 January 2006 and given that the Skye Bridge concessionaire required to be in possession of an assignation statement, why the intended concessionaire received only an unsigned and undated seven-page document whose year of i…

Answer · Tavish Scott: I understand that the then ScottishOffice position was that the concessionaire held the Skye Bridge Assignation Statementas it was made available for public inspection in 1991. The document was not signedor dated.</p>

15 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why the concessionaire’s name, Skye Bridge Ltd, as at May 1993 was not announced by the Secretary of State in a published document, given that one of the purposes of the Skye Bridge assignation statement was to identify the concessionaire to the public.

Answer · Tavish Scott: I am advised that the then ScottishOffice position was that the Skye Bridge Assignation Statement correctly identifiedthe proposed concessionaire at the time it was made available for public inspection.There was no statutory requirement to update the statemen…

15 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the provisions of the A87 Extension (Skye Bridge Crossing) Special Road Regulations 1995 applying a 40 mph speed limit and clearway status on the specified special road and prescribing use by all classes of traffic still apply following revocation of the A87 Skye Bridge Crossing T…

Answer · Tavish Scott: The Invergarry-Kyle of LochalshTrunk Road (A87) Extension (Skye Bridge Crossing) Toll Order (Revocation) Order2005 does not affect the A87 Extension (Skye Bridge Crossing) Special Road Regulations1995. The 40mph speed limit and clearway status on the special …

9 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-22512 and S2W-22508 by Mr Andy Kerr on 1 February 2006, why special arrangements between the First Minister’s residence and NHS 24 are necessary to achieve confidentiality, consistency and appropriate medical care and whether it considers that this…

Answer · Andy Kerr: I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-23071 on  2 March 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.…

9 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-22512 and S2W-22508 by Mr Andy Kerr on 1 February 2006, whether it will confirm that there is no clinical basis for the special arrangements between the First Minister’s residence and NHS 24.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The arrangements are entirelyconcerned with supporting access to clinical advice and to an assessment processthat will help determine the medical attention most appropriate to the needs of the individual. NHS 24 put in place this standard process in the inter…

9 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22559 by Mr Andy Kerr on 30 January 2006, whether it will publish its written and oral evidence to the independent pay review bodies covering doctors and dentists (DDRB) and nurses and other health professionals (NOHPRB) in respect of the 2006 pay aw…

Answer · Andy Kerr: Written evidence from the HealthDepartments for Great Britain is published on the Department of Health website. Evidencefrom the Scottish Executive Health Department is contained in Chapter 7 of the Nursingand Other Health Professions (NOHPRB) document and at…

9 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has discussed the financial implications of addressing unequal pay with local authorities, COSLA and trade unions; what cognisance it has taken of such discussions, and what specific responses and actions it has taken as a result.

Answer · George Lyon: The Executive has had contactwith a number of local authorities, COSLA and trade unions about the financial implicationsof the equal pay negotiations taking place at council level. The views expressedhave been noted and are being taken into account. However, …

9 Feb 2006 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will consider making the Members’ Restaurant accessible to the public.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: As the Members' Restaurant is within the private part of the building, it would not be possible, within the current security arrangements, to give the public unescorted access. Members can of course invite guests into the Members’ Restaurant but non-pass hold…

9 Feb 2006 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will give access to the currently named Members’ Restaurant to all pass holders every day of the week.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Access to the Members' Restaurant was re-considered by SPCB in November&nbsp;2004, and it was agreed that the members and their guests only rule, on business days, would continue. It was also agreed that all pass holders could access the bar at any time. The …

9 Feb 2006 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will ensure that the Members’ Restaurant does not receive disproportionate subsidies relative to other catering outlets in the Parliament.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Future subsidy will be determined by usage, service level and tariff policy. It is not possible to ensure that the catering outlets operate at the same subsidy level, as usage is one of the main factors and can vary from week to week. While the SPCB will keep…

9 Feb 2006 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, further to the answer to question S2O-8978 by Kenny McAskill on 1 February 2006, why no specific mechanism exists to monitor the income, service levels, costs, level of subsidy and value for money of the Members’ Restaurant as distinct from other catering outlets at th…

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The income from the Members’ Restaurant is recorded separately from the other catering outlets. As I indicated in the answer to question S2O-8978, some costs are generic. For example, some roles cover all areas: general manager, executive chef, accountant, ki…

8 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the previous agreed target deadlines for completion of Agenda for Change were and what the reasons are for each specific delay.

Answer · Andy Kerr: An original target date of endSeptember 2005 for the assimilation of staff onto the new Agenda for Change paybandswas set in partnership with trades unions and professional organisations as partof the overall UK Agenda for Change agreement. It soon became evi…

8 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any specific issues which are causing delays in finalising the ratification of job evaluation outcomes for paramedic and ambulance staff.

Answer · Andy Kerr: We are not aware of any specific issues which are causing delays in finalising the ratification of job evaluation outcomes for paramedic and ambulance staff.</p> <p>In common with NHSScotland generally, Agenda for Change is being implemented in the Scottish…

8 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how long it takes on average for its Health Department to carry out quality assurance checks and to ratify evaluations conducted under Agenda for Change.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The Job Evaluation Monitoring Group (JEMG) operates in partnership between employers and trade unions/professional organisations to ensure that the outcomes of job matching and local evaluation are consistent and accurate across NHSScotland. All outcomes must…

8 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when job evaluations will be completed in respect of Agenda for Change.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Job evaluation in NHSScotland is carried out in partnership with trades unions and professional organisations, and significant progress has been made. Over 85% of posts which have been submitted to matching panels have been matched against national profiles. …

8 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive over what period crown immunity applied to premises owned by NHS boards and bodies and to which individual premises such immunity applied.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Crown immunity applied to all NHS bodies from the date of the creation of the NHS, 5 July 1948, until its removal by means of the NHS and Community Care Act 1990 which came into force on 1 April 1991. Immunity therefore applied to all NHS premises during this…

7 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will agree to meet representatives of the Fire Brigades Union to discuss pensions.

Answer · Hugh Henry: I have no plans to meet withthe Fire Brigades Union to discuss pensions.</p><p>These matters are being activelyconsidered by the Firefighters’ Pension Committee, membership of which includesboth the Fire Brigades Union and the Scottish Executive.</p>

7 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the basis is for its position that classroom assistants, cleaners and janitors should not have the same pension rights and entitlements as teachers working in the same school.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The Scottish Teachers’ Superannuation Scheme provides a specific pension scheme designed for the teaching profession. The Local Government Pension Scheme in Scotland provides a pension scheme for a variety of local government (and similar) employees where the…

7 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the potential for local authorities to be subject to legal challenge as a result of breach of contract if the Rule of 85 in the Local Government Pension Scheme is abolished and to the capacity of local authorities to defend such a challenge, given that t…

Answer · Tom McCabe: Assuming the current rule of85 provisions are removed, as planned, from the Local Government Pension Schemeby amendments made to the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations(Scotland) 1998 (as amended) then it is likely that a local authority, as an employ…

7 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish its rationale for not endorsing the legal advice obtained by COSLA in respect of the Rule of 85 in the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Answer · Tom McCabe: Discussions with TradeUnions on the plan to remove the rule of 85 from the Local Government Pensionscheme are continuing and the Executive is considering options for a solutionto this issue in Scotland. The draftRegulations proposed to implement the changes w…

7 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in view of the publicity surrounding the recent proposal by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation that infants be vaccinated against flu, what information the Executive can provide regarding the ingredients, including all adjuvants, of the proposed vaccine.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has not recommended the vaccination of children under two years of age against influenza. At their meeting on the 19 October 2005, JCVI agreed that more work was required before influenza immunisation…

7 Feb 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether products issued by the Protein Fractionation Centre in Edinburgh at a time when production conditions were considered to be unacceptable will be administered to patients.

Answer · Andy Kerr: I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-22996 on 2 March 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.s…