SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
General Questions
Community Health Nurses
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that the generic community health nurse role being piloted by the review of nursing in the community will be appropriate for delivering its health priorities. (S3O-7233)
The community health nurse role is a pilot in three national health service boards in Scotland. It will be fully and independently evaluated during 2010, and an interim evaluation of early implementers will be undertaken by the end of 2009. The results of the evaluation will inform decisions on the future of the generic community health nurse role.
Does the minister agree with the majority of nurses that the generic community health nurse model would result in a loss of nursing experience in relation to children, young people and families, and that it would be better to have multidisciplinary community health teams that concentrate on either early years or adults? Will she therefore abandon the evaluation of the review of nursing in the community, given that it will cost £200,000 and will extend problems of recruitment and training until its completion in October 2010? Will she instead spend that money on filling vacancies in community nursing?
I remind Malcolm Chisholm that the review of nursing in the community was started under the previous Administration. When we came to power, we decided that the model should be tested. I make it clear that I recognise that some staff have concerns about the model, and we felt that it was important that we test it to answer some of those questions. We have said clearly that we are keeping an open mind on the future of community nursing in Scotland; perhaps Malcolm Chisholm should do likewise.
Submarines (Emergency Planning)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it was informed of the Ministry of Defence's decision to move the remaining three nuclear-powered Trafalgar class submarines from Devonport in Plymouth to Faslane as of 2017 and what impact that will have on emergency planning in Scotland. (S3O-7206)
The Ministry of Defence wrote to the First Minister on 6 May to inform him of its plans to base all classes of United Kingdom submarine at Her Majesty's naval base Clyde.
In the light of known events involving nuclear submarines, such as radioactive leaks, fires and collisions, will the Scottish Government seek additional finances to fund necessary extra emergency safety contingencies that may arise from the stationing of those three further nuclear-powered vessels at Faslane?
Such matters are of concern, but local contingency planning is a matter for local authorities. It will be for the relevant local authorities, with their local partners, to consider the implications and to make representations to the Scottish Government if they feel that there are new burdens as a result of the stationing of the three vessels at Faslane. The Scottish Government remains concerned that their base should be located there.
National Health Service (Distinction Awards)
To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers to be the purpose of the system of distinction awards for NHS consultants. (S3O-7211)
The basic purpose of the distinction award scheme for NHS consultants in Scotland is to recognise and reward special contributions to the NHS that are over and above that which is normally expected, and which represent outstanding professional work.
Fifty per cent of all consultants who retire are in receipt of such an award and, in the rare circumstances that an award is withdrawn on the ground that the recipient is no longer worthy of it, the monetary element remains in place. Does the cabinet secretary agree that such a system fails to meet the purpose that she has outlined?
I know that Ian McKee has a particular interest in the subject and I understand the reasons for that. In the interests of accuracy, I point out that 13.5 per cent of consultants hold an award and that 1.3 per cent of consultants hold the highest award available.
Is it correct that the budget for distinction awards is £28 million for the current financial year and £30 million for next year, and that the total for the three-year period of the spending review is £84 million? As part of the budget review, can that money be freed up and spent in a different way?
I gently and politely point out to Jeremy Purvis that the current Administration did not create the distinction awards scheme. The system has been in place in Scotland for many years, and a similar system is in operation in England. The scheme was supported by the previous Administration, of which Mr Purvis's party was a part.
Edinburgh's Festivals (Support)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to support Edinburgh's festivals. (S3O-7216)
Edinburgh is the pre-eminent festival capital of the world and its festivals make a significant contribution to our economy because they attract visitors to Scotland from around the world. Our £6 million expo fund will ensure that the festivals continue to flourish by supporting ambitious projects, increasing funding to Scotland-based artists and practitioners, and promoting the best of Scottish talent at home and abroad.
The minister will be aware that one of the festivals, the Edinburgh festival fringe, generates £75 million a year for the Scottish economy. However, it had a particularly difficult year in 2008. For example, it had problems with ticketing. This year, it faces the additional challenges of the economic recession, not to mention the continuing road works due to the tram project.
I am sure that the homecoming celebrations will have a major impact on all the festivals because they will have a major impact on those who come here. Particularly at the end of July, when the gathering takes place, many people may choose to stay on in Edinburgh or return to Edinburgh for festival events. I know that all the organisers are planning for that factor.
Can a modest amount of the expo fund be used to support the Leith festival, given that it has lost some of its commercial sponsorship? Can I encourage members to attend some of the wonderful events that will be on during June in the greatest community arts festival in Scotland?
I am not sure that this is meant to be questions to all members, but I will allow the minister to respond.
I am glad that Malcolm Chisholm is standing up for the Leith festival, which is an excellent event. So many festivals around Edinburgh are excellent, in Portobello and elsewhere.
Agenda for Change
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to complete both the initial agenda for change process and subsequent appeals. (S3O-7264)
A delivery plan that sets firm targets for the completion of agenda for change implementation is in place. Good progress towards achieving all the targets in the plan has been made and is being closely monitored by the Scottish Government.
In light of the important role that pharmacists play in antibiotic prescribing in hospital as part of the control of health care associated infections and in general patient safety, will the cabinet secretary examine closely the staffing of, and recruitment to, hospital pharmacy posts, which are currently uncompetitive with community pharmacy as a result of agenda for change?
As far as I am aware, no health board has made an application under the local recruitment and retention premia of agenda for change in connection with hospital pharmacy posts. However, boards and the Government keep such matters under close review.
The minister will recall the problems in NHS Ayrshire and Arran regarding agenda for change. In particular, F-grade staff who were not at the top of the grade were leapfrogging F-grade staff who were at the top of the grade. Has that been resolved, particularly for senior midwives, who were losing out?
As John Scott knows, there is a process of reviews as part of the agenda for change system. Any staff member—or group of staff members—who feels that the band on to which they have been assimilated is not appropriate can seek a review. A number of reviews for individual members of staff and groups of staff are currently under way throughout the country.
Glasgow (Training and Skills Development)
To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 75,000 additional training and skills development places announced on 18 April 2009 will be delivered to people in Glasgow. (S3O-7235)
The 78 European social fund projects that the First Minister announced in April are expected to help 75,000 people to gain or sustain employment opportunities through training and skills development. Of those people, 4,596 will benefit from projects that are aimed specifically at those who live in Glasgow. In addition, 65,535 people will be supported by projects that will operate across more than one local authority area, including Glasgow. The remaining 4,869 will be supported by projects that will be delivered entirely outside the Glasgow area.
Who will be specifically targeted to benefit from those places? Will the minister outline a timetable for me and other Glasgow MSPs? Can we have an indication of that as quickly as possible?
I am happy to do what Margaret Curran asks. The European social fund projects are aimed at people who are trying to gain employment for the first time or to sustain employment opportunities that they already have through further training and skills development. The delivery timescales will depend on other partners, and I am happy to get back to Margaret Curran with that information.
One of the projects that has been identified is the John Logie Baird project in the merchant city in Glasgow. Will that project support training for jobs that relate to the 2014 Commonwealth games in Glasgow? Will the people of the east end of Glasgow in particular be part of the project?
I can confirm that that is my understanding, but I am happy to get more information on that specific project. I repeat that some of the projects are led by other partners and that we do not hold all the information centrally, but I am happy to get back to Sandra White with that information.
Kessock Bridge (Congestion)
To ask the Scottish Executive what considerations it has given to traffic congestion on the Kessock bridge. (S3O-7262)
A traffic model assessment is being carried out to investigate options for improving peak period traffic flows at the junction at the south end of the Kessock bridge. Preliminary designs are now being prepared, although any improvements at the location will be subject to available funding and competing priorities across the trunk road network.
I am grateful for the information that the minister was able to give. As he knows, in such matters, the procedures before anything is actually built can be very long. What plans does he have to advance any statutory procedures that are required as a result of the outcomes of the studies that he mentioned?
The member will be aware that I was in Inverness on Monday. While there, I drove through the junction, albeit at an off-peak time when the problems were not particularly manifest. However, I am well aware of the issues for people in Inverness and the Black Isle. We must complete the designs before establishing what planning process may be appropriate if we have to provide an engineering remedy. The member will be aware of the Administration's reforms of the planning system and its eagerness to ensure that decisions are made quickly and appropriately. The measures that we are discussing will be no exception.
Much of the congestion in Inverness is caused by the lack of a bypass. The minister said earlier this week that a working group on an Inverness bypass might meet fairly soon. Does he have a date for that meeting yet?
The next meeting of officials will be later this month. That is a preparatory step before we involve the political decision makers. The relationship between the leader of Highland Council and the Scottish Government ministers is good—we share a sense of common purpose. We will make progress on the joint interests of local and central Government in a spirit of partnership. I expect a meeting to take place in the not-too-distant future, once we have completed the work at official level.
Southern General Hospital <br />(Parking Charge Exemptions)
To ask the Scottish Executive which health workers will be exempt from car parking charges at the Southern general hospital. (S3O-7243)
Car parking charges at all NHS Scotland-operated car parks, including the car park at the Southern general hospital, were abolished with effect from 31 December.
The cabinet secretary, to her credit, took action that resulted in the abolition of car parking charges in Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board, as she said. Will she investigate complaints about the lack of consultation on and notice of new car parking arrangements at the Southern general, which have resulted in nurses being hit with car parking charges or fines? Will she take action to ensure that nurses, particularly those who are on shifts, are not penalised for having to bring their cars to work?
Hugh Henry's original question implied that car parking charges are in place at the Southern general, and his supplementary seemed to avoid conceding the fact that that is not true, as a result of the Scottish National Party Government abolishing hospital car parking charges.
Project Scotland
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take steps to restore project Scotland's funding. (S3O-7230)
Project Scotland is actively working on a more financially sustainable business model that is focused on the provision of skills and learning services for young people who are furthest from employment. Discussions with the key agencies in those areas are under way but are not yet complete. We have no plans for any direct funding from the Scottish Government.
Is the minister aware that, in cutting funding for project Scotland, he has effectively axed 263 placements in Edinburgh, leaving just 49 places available for volunteers who are willing to contribute to vital work in their communities? The feedback from groups in my constituency, such as the Canongate Youth Project and the Collective Gallery, is that volunteers have made a fantastic difference to their work. Will the Scottish Government please listen to those groups about the case for supporting project Scotland as the best way to boost volunteering?
I met the chair of project Scotland recently and I have been in regular contact with her since. There are regular meetings with project Scotland and I have offered to call a meeting to bring together other stakeholders to facilitate further the project becoming a mainstream service provider for young people in the 16-plus age group. Work is under way, and Skills Development Scotland is heavily involved. I look forward to positive outcomes.
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