Alison McInnes

23 Mar 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to make distinction awards for a further five years if the five-yearly review of the process in 2012-13 proves satisfactory.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government remains fully committed to full scale reform of both national and local awards systems. On 29 December 2011 we announced that the cash value of distinction awards were to remain frozen in 2012-13 for a third consecutive year and that n…

15 Mar 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on whether, due to the failure of a commercial test kit, anyone in Scotland has been incorrectly diagnosed as having (a) syphilis or (b) the wrong form of syphilis, broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Michael Matheson: A total of two individuals were diagnosed incorrectly as having syphilis but did not have syphilis; both were treated but subsequently told that they were syphilis negative. Two individuals were diagnosed as having recent syphilis and treated as such. Howeve…

15 Mar 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases arising from personal injuries sustained at work Scottish Ambulance Service employees have brought against their employer in each year since 2008-09.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This information is not held centrally.

15 Mar 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the publication of new guidelines encouraging GPs to recommend that a 10 microgram vitamin D supplement should be taken daily during pregnancy, what action it has taken to ensure that all pharmacies are able to provide these supplements.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Vitamin D supplements are available in a range of doses via prescription, the healthy start programme and for purchase as nutritional supplements. Doses available include the 10 microgram dose recommended for adults at risk of Vitamin D deficiency and all pre…

22 Feb 2012 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects construction work to commence on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

15 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many pregnant women have had a flu vaccination in each of the last three years, broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Influenza vaccine uptake as reported in pregnant women in Scotland by health board for the seasons 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 to date (week eight, 2012). The data is subject to the caveats outlined in the following table:   NHS Board Vaccine Uptake (%) 200…

15 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that serious mental illness is not missed if computer-based counselling is introduced in place of face-to-face counselling with a trained therapist.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Computer-based therapies are not intended to replace face-to-face therapies but to add to the options and personal choices available to those patients for whom this type of intervention is appropriate, welcomed, likely to be effective, and safe. In many case…

15 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that the mental health of patients with mild to moderate depression or anxiety is not detrimentally impacted by the proposed move to introduce computer-based counselling in place of face-to-face counselling with a trained therapist.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Computer-based therapies are not intended to replace face-to-face therapies but to add to the options, flexibility and personal choices available to patients, many of whom prefer this type of interaction. In all cases, an assessment should take place, which w…

15 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the introduction of nuchal transparency screening has been delayed in NHS (a) Greater Glasgow and Clyde and (b) Western Isles.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The introduction of nuchal translucancy screening has been delayed in NHS Greater and Clyde and NHS Western Isles as there is a shortage of trained sonographers within these board areas.

15 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that nuchal transparency screening is made available in NHS (a) Greater Glasgow and Clyde and (b) Western Isles.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Between 2008 and 2010, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Western Isles were allocated funding of £2,030,401.80 and £207,947 respectively to support the implementation of the nuchal translucency scan. The Scottish Government is working closely with NHS Gr…

15 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing a compulsory alcohol sobriety scheme for problem drinkers convicted of serious drink-related offences similar to that recently proposed by the Mayor of London.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: We currently have no plans to introduce a compulsory alcohol sobriety scheme for problem drinkers convicted of serious drink-related offences, but will follow the success of the pilot proposed by the Mayor of London with interest.

15 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the findings of the King’s Fund report, Long-term conditions and mental health: The cost of co-morbidities, what assessment it has made of NHS spend on mental health problems in people with long-term conditions.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government sets national direction of policy on mental health and provides funding to agencies, including NHS boards and local authorities, to support implementation of policy. The management of local actions in implementing national policy, and …

15 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the findings of the King’s Fund report, Long-term conditions and mental health: The cost of co-morbidities, what steps it has taken to ensure that all health professionals have knowledge of mental health problems.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The King’s Fund report reflects on the organisation of health and social care services in England, and lacks an analysis of the Scottish context. Its broad conclusions for better quality, and improved co-ordination and delivery of care for those with co-morbi…

15 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has budgeted to treat people with PIP implants who have sought help from the NHS.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-04849 on 18 January 2012. 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/parliamentary…

15 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people with PIP breast implants have sought advice regarding their implants from each NHS board.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: NHS boards have confirmed that up to 27 February 2012, 23 patients have been referred to the four plastic surgery and breast surgery units in NHSScotland. Arrangements are being made for this information to be collated and published by Information Services Di…

15 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost to each NHS board was of prescribing Ritalin to children under 18 in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Table 1 shows the Gross Ingredient Cost (£) of prescribing Methylphenidate Hydrochloride, which is the non-proprietry name for drugs including the branded products Ritalin, Equasym, Equasym XL, Concerta XL, Medikinet XL, Medikinet and Tranquilyn. Methylpheni…

15 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to monitor local authorities’ implementation of and compliance with the Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011.

Answer · Michael Matheson: All registered care services, whether provided by Local Authorities or the independent sector, must comply with the requirements placed on them by the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 and the associated Statutory Instruments, including the Social Ca…

8 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what internal discussions it has had regarding the scope of the Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People since May 2011.

Answer · Keith Brown: Ministers and Transport Scotland officials have regular discussions about the scheme’s policy, scope and operational matters.

8 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to extend the Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People to community transport services.

Answer · Keith Brown: We have no plans to extend the Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People at this time. However, it is our intention to amend bus registration legislation to allow flexibly routed community and demand responsive transport services that…

6 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered introducing a liver screening test across the country.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government receives independent expert advice on screening by the UK National Screening Committee. The UK National Screening Committee does not currently recommend routine screening for liver disease.

6 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much was paid in legal costs by the NHS in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11 and how much was paid to firms offering no-win, no-fee legal arrangements.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held centrally.

6 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of assault against hospital staff have been recorded in each of the last three years, broken down by hospital.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held centrally.

6 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions hospital wards have had to close due to E. coli infection in the last three years, broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Michael Matheson: NHS boards report Healthcare Associated Infection outbreaks and ward closures to Health Protection Scotland (HPS). HPS have received no reports of ward closures as a result of E.coli in the last three years. Reports are submitted on a voluntary basis and th…

6 Feb 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of E. coli there have been in each of the last three years, broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Health Protection Scotland (HPS) receives laboratory notifications of positive cases of E. coli bacteraemia and culture positive cases of E. coli O157 infection. The figures requested in relation to E. coli bacteraemia are as follows: Health Board 2008* …

31 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures the safety of patients who might have been adversely affected by metal-on-metal hip replacements.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: This is a matter for NHS boards to manage. I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-05361 on 7 February 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: ht…

31 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it provides to patients who might have been adversely affected by metal-on-metal hip replacements.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: A medical device alert prepared by the Medical and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) about metal on metal hip replacements was circulated in April 2010 to NHS boards by NHS National Service’s Incident Reporting and Investigation Centre. This ad…

31 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidance to NHS boards on providing verbal advice to hospital visitors regarding links between norovirus and the handling of laundry.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: In line with their professional code of conduct, NHS staff are expected to meet the needs of patients by providing safe, compassionate and effective care. This includes ensuring that information, such as information about the norovirus and its implications, i…

31 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) people and (b) hospital patients have contracted norovirus in the last three years, broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-04429 on 20 December 2011. 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/parliamenta…

31 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered setting up a review into hygiene practices in hospitals to deal with the impact of norovirus.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: Cleaning in hospitals is regularly assessed by Health Facilities Scotland’s quarterly NHSScotland National Cleaning Compliance Report, and hand hygiene by Health Protection Scotland’s bi-monthly National Hand Hygiene Compliance with Hand Hygiene Audit Report,…

31 Jan 2012 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to tackle mental health problems in males.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government sets national policy direction for mental health and provides funding to NHS boards and local authorities to support implementation of policy. The management of local actions in implementing national policy, and decisions on local serv…