Plenary, 03 Dec 2009

Meeting date: Thursday, December 3, 2009

Official Report 765KB pdf

---

Question Time

---

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

---

Health and Wellbeing

---

Housing (Priorities)

To ask the Scottish Government what its housing priorities are for the next 12 months. (S3O-8742)

Over the next 12 months this Government will continue to deliver its wide range of programmes to improve housing for the people of Scotland.

A key element is our record three-year £1.65 billion investment in affordable housing, from which we will ensure that we extract maximum benefit to meet housing need. In addition, we will continue to invest in energy efficiency, tackle fuel poverty, work with our partners to meet the challenge of the 2012 homelessness commitments, help those at risk of repossession and introduce a housing bill that will improve the conditions in private sector housing and protect the interests of existing and future tenants by reforming the right to buy and modernising the regime for regulating social landlords.

The minister will be aware that there are many challenges in private sector housing supply. Only last week, Scotland's chief statistician published revealing statistics for the social rented sector showing that there has been a massive increase in the affordable housing investment programme and local authority home completions. Does the minister agree that continuing with accelerated capital expenditure could play a part in increasing housing supply in the social rented sector in the west of Scotland as well as in the rest of the country?

I agree with Stuart McMillan on both points. Accelerating capital spending into next year would help us to overcome the problem of recession next year. The statistics announced last week showed a 71 per cent increase in completions, a 300 per cent increase in starts and a 300 per cent increase in approvals for social housing. I regret to say that we have not had a congratulatory telegram from any of the Opposition parties.

I congratulate the minister on mentioning the 2012 homelessness target. Is he aware of the comments of Jacqui Watt of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, who has highlighted the tension for housing associations in ensuring that

"all statutory categories of need are catered for",

as well as creating sustainable communities? Will the minister act on the suggestion of the Scottish Housing Regulator, which says that it is

"time for all the relevant agencies to get round the table"

to look at how we can deliver that 2012 homelessness target?

We already have a 2012 homelessness working party involving key stakeholders and we will extend our discussions to other stakeholders who are not represented in that core group. We will address the issues that Jacqui Watt rightly raised as well as all the other issues to help us achieve our 2012 target, to which we remain firmly committed.

---

Health Spending (2010-11 Draft Budget)

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing has had with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth relating to the 2010-11 draft budget. (S3O-8699)

In the course of the budget process so far, I have had a number of constructive discussions with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth on the 2010-11 draft budget.

I am sure that the cabinet secretary will agree that it is important to maximise the experience and expertise of national health service staff. Can she explain why the draft budget contains proposals to cut the education and training budget from £157 million to £152 million, thereby undermining the NHS's ability to get the most from its staff?

I know that James Kelly is not on the Health and Sport Committee, but if he cares to read the Official Report he will read extensive discussions between the committee and me about all aspects of the draft budget.

I can certainly provide James Kelly with detailed information on the training and education budgets. A number of reasons lie behind the change in the budget line, including changes to payments that we make to United Kingdom-wide bodies, but it does not alter the education and training that we deliver within the NHS. I hope that it will reassure James Kelly to hear me say, as I have said many times before, that we attach a great priority to ensuring that those who work in our NHS and do such a good job have access to the education and training that they need to develop their skills and provide a high-quality service. That is why one of the key aspects of agenda for change, which was introduced by one of my predecessors—I see that he is in the chamber—has at its heart the knowledge and skills framework that ensures that NHS staff have access to on-going development. I hope that that reassures James Kelly, but I am happy to provide him with any further details that he requires.

Has the cabinet secretary also discussed the issue of accelerated capital expenditure with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth? Does she share my concern about the recent statements made by the Labour transport spokesperson, Charlie Gordon, that accelerated capital expenditure should be spent on the Glasgow airport rail link, rather than on social housing, as the Government has proposed? Does she agree that that would be seriously detrimental to the supply of affordable housing in Edinburgh and throughout Scotland?

I have discussed the issue of accelerated capital with the finance secretary on many occasions. I make it clear to Shirley-Anne Somerville and other members in the chamber that we continue to press the case vigorously with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. There is no doubt that the right thing for the chancellor to do in his pre-budget report next week would be to announce more accelerated capital. That would be good for social housing, not just here in Edinburgh, but right across Scotland, including, I have to say, Glasgow. We will continue to make that case.

The accelerated capital that we have been able to use so far has contributed to the fantastic record on social housing to which Alex Neil referred earlier. There is no doubt that having access to more accelerated capital would allow us to do even more. I hope that all members in the chamber will continue to back the Government in making that call. Hopefully, when the chancellor makes his pre-budget report next week he will show that he has been listening.

---

NHS Aroma Cafe Pilot (Evaluation)

To ask the Scottish Government when the NHS Aroma cafe concept will be fully evaluated. (S3O-8709)

The Aroma cafe pilot was evaluated in October and a report is currently being drafted for consideration by the project board. NHS National Services Scotland will then be provided with a recommendation from the project board. A decision on whether to make the Aroma concept available as a choice to NHS Scotland is expected to be taken in January.

Does the cabinet secretary agree that the uncertainty for hard-working volunteers has gone on for far too long? When I spoke to them this week, they said that they had had no such update as outlined by the cabinet secretary.

Does the cabinet secretary accept that Inverclyde royal hospital visitors and staff neither need nor want an Aroma cafe? What they want is the valuable service that is provided by the League of Hospital Friends to be confirmed soon and for the long term.

I acknowledge Duncan McNeil's interest in this matter on behalf of his constituents. I will make a number of points in response to his question. First, I have said to him before in this chamber that I value highly the contribution that volunteers make to the national health service—as does everyone in the chamber. I have also commented before on what I consider to be the premature announcement of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde about the roll-out of a concept that had not been evaluated and on which decisions had not been taken.

Secondly, I do not want to pre-empt the decision that may or may not be taken in January, but should the Aroma concept be offered as a choice for NHS boards, it will be just that—a choice—and it will be for NHS boards to make decisions about what they consider to be the appropriate way forward for facilities in their areas.

Thirdly and lastly, regardless of the route that an NHS board opts to take in relation to the Aroma cafe concept, I expect all NHS boards to work closely with volunteers to acknowledge openly and frankly the contribution that they make, in a way that allows them to continue to contribute. I expect all NHS boards, including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, to have such dialogue and engagement with volunteers, who do a fantastic job for them.

I have been encouraged by the cabinet secretary's earlier comment that Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board's announcement was premature and particularly by her saying three times today that the Aroma cafe is a possible choice. I hope that she is aware that at a meeting between the League of Hospital Friends and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in the summer—after she made it clear that announcements were premature—the NHS board made it clear to the league that it would not change its mind and that the league should turn its attention to other activity that it might wish to contribute. Does she agree that that is wholly unhelpful and out of kilter with the spirit of the direction that she gave to the board?

I have made my views clear. Health facilities Scotland has taken no decisions about the Aroma cafe concept. I have outlined the timescale on which such decisions are likely to be taken. After any decision, the choice will be for NHS boards. I expect all NHS boards to take account of a range of factors before deciding whether to opt for the Aroma concept.

As I have said—I can make it no clearer—I expect boards to engage closely with their volunteers in reaching those decisions and coming to a view on how the contribution that volunteers make can continue in the NHS. Health facilities Scotland has met the WRVS and the League of Hospital Friends to explore how they could work in partnership with Aroma sites. Further meetings along those lines are planned with a range of voluntary organisations.

Any health board must balance several competing objectives, but it is essential that all health boards recognise—as I believe that they do—the contribution that volunteers make. That should be at the centre of health boards' thinking in deciding whether or how to develop the cafe concept.

---

Mental Health Services (Voluntary Sector Providers)

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing last met voluntary sector mental health service providers and what issues were discussed. (S3O-8701)

Scottish ministers meet the voluntary sector regularly to discuss a range of issues in relation to its role in delivering the Scottish Government's mental health improvement agenda.

When the cabinet secretary last met voluntary sector health providers, did she discuss their fears about the impact of the concordat and single outcome agreements on their capacity to access funding and to deliver high-quality mental health services in communities? She will recall that she promised that an analysis of the implementation of the first round of single outcome agreements would be available in September, but we are still waiting. When will that report be made available, to give those groups confidence? What will she do to address the concern that the membership of community planning partnerships, which are critical to the development of single outcome agreements, is not sufficiently open and accessible to voluntary sector organisations?

Johann Lamont asked about the timing of the analysis of the single outcome agreements. I will provide her with the most up-to-date information on that later, as I do not have that to hand.

I will make several points in response to the substance of Johann Lamont's questions. First, members will be relieved to hear that I will not treat the Parliament to an exposition of the concordat's merits—

I am certainly relieved, too.

Suffice it to say that the concordat brings significant benefits and reflects a more constructive and mature relationship between central and local government. I say—in the spirit of consensus, I hope—that, whether they are in the statutory or the voluntary sector, mental health service providers do an extremely valuable and important job. We must ensure that they are valued and supported in doing so.

I am not criticising Johann Lamont, but the scope of her question was general, which I understand. If she brings to me specific concerns from organisations, I am happy to undertake to meet them to understand and discuss those concerns, so that we can perhaps find a way forward.

The Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care's quality of care services report states that voluntary sector services are consistently graded higher on quality of staffing, care, support, management and leadership than those provided by local authorities. How will the Scottish Government assist the sector to ensure that mental health services are retained and are not cut due to financial constraints?

Mary Scanlon makes a good point about the general quality of service that the voluntary sector provides. Of course, that statement contains a huge generalisation, but generally speaking I think that the voluntary sector provides services of a very high standard. Indeed, that is exactly why the Scottish Government has been so active in supporting the sector. For example, over the spending review period, we have provided record resources—in excess, I think, of £90 million—for the third sector in general. It is right to provide such support, but we also need to ensure that, regardless of who provides them, the services that are provided to people, particularly the vulnerable in our society, are of a standard that they have a right to expect. I am sure that all members will sign up to that.

---

Attendance Allowance (Older Disabled People)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has discussed with the United Kingdom Government the impact on Scotland's older disabled people of changes proposed to attendance allowance. (S3O-8726)

I have put on record to the Secretary of State for Health my concerns about the limited detail set out in the English green paper exploring the options for the future funding of social care and support. Any reforms to the benefits system by the UK Government will need to give due consideration to the needs of older disabled people in Scotland.

Does the minister agree that the decision to exclude Scotland's older disabled people from the consultation on this issue represents a real slap in the face by a Labour Government that is increasingly out of touch with the lives of ordinary Scots? Will she raise that point with the responsible minister at Westminster and secure a commitment to consult those affected in Scotland on any proposals to change UK-wide benefits?

We have generally been very concerned about the lack of thought given to the impact of such changes to the benefit system on social care delivery, not just in Scotland but in Wales. Of course, a different system operates in Northern Ireland.

As I say, very little thought has been put into it, but the fact is that these changes could profoundly impact on social care services in Scotland, which is why we have been making extensive attempts to have this particular dialogue. Our officials have been discussing the issue with Department for Work and Pensions officials and, on behalf of the ministerial strategic group on health and community care, Councillor Ronnie McColl and I have issued a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham, expressing our concerns and urging him to consider the views on and concerns about attendance allowance and other benefits that have been raised by the voluntary sector and the individuals in Scotland who will be most directly affected by the changes.

I refer the minister and the member to the minister's written answer of 29 October, which sets out in full the very detailed consultation in which the Scottish Government is engaged. That response is particularly welcome.

Given that the Secretary of State for Health has made it clear that the UK Government has categorically ruled out the use of disability living allowance and attendance allowance in proposals for the reform of care, does the minister agree that any suggestion otherwise serves only to deliberately confuse the most vulnerable people in our society? However, on a positive note, will she consider what we could learn from the UK Government's proposal for a simple, fair and affordable care system that will allow us to end Scotland's postcode lottery of care?

I will leave the business of trying to confuse vulnerable people to the Labour Party. That is not how this Government goes about its business.

The issue of disability living allowance for those under 65 has been clarified, but I do not think that it is by any means clear that DLA for the over-65s and attendance allowance are off the table. Indeed, it is clear that one of the proposals is to combine those benefits in the care package. I thought that it would have been more in Jackie Baillie's interest to stand with us and say that any such changes must take full cognisance of the impact on social care in Scotland. I would very much doubt the Labour Party's commitment to do anything for vulnerable people in Scotland if it did otherwise.

Question 6 is withdrawn.

---

Mental Health Services (International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights)

To ask the Scottish Government how public authorities will be expected to exercise their duties under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights when withdrawing funding from mental health services. (S3O-8737)

Public authorities will continue to work in partnership and use the record resources that they are allocated for health and social care overall to plan and deliver high quality mental health services in Scotland and to meet all legislative and other obligations, including their duties under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

The minister will be aware that the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is a multilateral treaty that has been ratified by the UK Government. The United Nations committee that is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the treaty recently made a number of recommendations about implementing it more effectively in Scotland, including recognising the need to intensify efforts to overcome health inequalities, and to decrease the number of suicides among mental health patients. How does the Government intend to respond to those recommendations?

Michael Matheson raises some important questions there. Under our equally well strategy for addressing health inequalities, we are aware of the needs of those who have mental health problems. Specific testing is being done on mental health issues that will, I hope, show us how to redesign services. Also, through the choose life programme, we have put in support to prevent suicide, particularly among those who have mental health problems. Michael Matheson will also be aware of the recommendation of the national confidential inquiry into suicide and homicide by people with mental illness.

We wrote to all health boards commending the recommendations for implementation, and we are keeping an overview of the implementation. I will keep the member informed.

We are also developing a secure and confidential suicide register for Scotland to help us to provide extensive information on what lies behind some of those suicides, and to get a clearer picture of the information that might have helped to prevent them, and might prevent them in future. I am happy to keep the member updated on those developments.

---

Children with Epilepsy (West Lothian)

To ask the Scottish Executive what specialist health services are available to children with epilepsy in West Lothian. (S3O-8727)

A consultant neurologist from the Scottish paediatric epilepsy network runs regular clinics at St John's hospital, Livingston with a consultant paediatrician who has an interest in epilepsy. West Lothian also has well-defined referral pathways to specialist clinics at the royal hospital for sick children, including ready access to immediate investigation.

Specialist children's epilepsy clinics are held in West Lothian as required, four to five times a year, by a consultant paediatric neurologist and a specialist epilepsy nurse. Specialist epilepsy services also link to the education services in West Lothian to minimise the impact of the condition on school life.

Epilepsy West Lothian has recently told me that there is only one paediatric nurse who specialises in epilepsy for the entire Lothian region, with a caseload of 900 children. Consequently, only three clinics for children who have epilepsy are held at St John's hospital per year. Although I will write to NHS Lothian about that, how can we best improve provision for children in West Lothian, given the growing number of children in the region and the fact that one in 100 children has epilepsy?

I know that Epilepsy West Lothian provides a range of important support services; I want to put that on the record. My first answer laid out the services that are currently provided through the clinics and the specialist backup from the royal hospital for sick children. However, I would be happy to write to Angela Constance with more detail about her allusion to the numbers of children who are affected and how they require a higher input than they are getting, if she would like to furnish me with more details.

---

Patient Transport Service (Remote and Rural Areas)

To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to address problems with the patient transport service in remote and rural areas. (S3O-8664)

The Scottish Government and the Scottish Ambulance Service are committed to working to improve the patient transport service for those patients who are eligible to receive the service. It is the responsibility of national health service boards and regional transport groups, in partnership with other partners including the Scottish Ambulance Service, to develop integrated transport solutions that support access to hospital services for those patients who might not be eligible for the patient transport service.

"Better Health, Better Care" committed the Government to developing a national approach to travel management. To develop such an approach, a health care transport framework has been drawn up to support NHS boards in the planning and improvement of transport for health care. That framework was issued to board chief executives on 27 November.

Sunart community council has raised concern—to put it mildly—about the poor quality of the patient transport service that is available in its community and throughout Lochaber, which has resulted in missed hospital appointments and stress and anxiety for patients. An urgent meeting that was agreed in February with the Ambulance Service took place in June and the patient transport service representative could not even attend the most recent meeting, in November. I ask the health secretary to investigate and intervene on behalf of the patients in Lochaber and throughout the Highlands who are dependent on patient transport.

I recognise the sentiments and concerns that lie behind Mary Scanlon's question. In the recent period, the Ambulance Service has been fairly open and frank about the fact that the patient transport service does not always meet the expectations that patients have for it. Often, when we discuss the Ambulance Service, we discuss the emergency service, sometimes forgetting that most people's contact with the Ambulance Service is through the patient transport service. The Ambulance Service is focused on improving the quality of the patient transport service. In the coming period, the Ambulance Service will set out its strategic plan for the next few years, a core part of which will be how it improves that part of the service.

It is an important, although difficult, point that the function of the Ambulance Service, including its patient transport service, is to transport patients who have a clinical need for transport. Many patients do not have that clinical need but nevertheless need support and help in getting to health care appointments. That is why the Ambulance Service alone cannot deal with the transport issues; it must work in partnership with NHS boards and other transport providers and local authorities to ensure that we have an integrated approach to transport—which is particularly important in remote and rural parts of the country—so that people who have a clinical need are catered for by the Ambulance Service, but those who have a transport need but not a clinical one nevertheless find it easy to access appointments. That is a big challenge and job of work, but the Ambulance Service and other NHS partners are fully engaged in trying to resolve and improve the quality of service.

As Mary Scanlon said, there are problems with patient transport in the Highlands and Islands. Does the minister agree that greater co-operation by health boards, councils, the Scottish Ambulance Service and, importantly, the voluntary sector is essential if we are to ensure more efficient and effective patient transport? What is being done, especially in the Highlands and Islands, to ensure that public sector bodies are engaging actively with the voluntary sector?

I agree absolutely with Dave Thompson, and I think that Mary Scanlon also made those points. I thank Dave Thompson for arranging the meeting that I had yesterday with stakeholders in the Highlands to discuss how we better co-ordinate to provide better transport. There are no easy answers to the questions. Even in less rural areas, transport to and from health care appointments can be a challenge but, nevertheless, innovative approaches are being used. As Dave Thompson and Mary Scanlon said, it is important that all agencies that have a stake and an interest in the issue, and a responsibility, work together to provide a better and more joined-up approach than has been the case to date.

The cabinet secretary needs to be aware that people with clinical need are not receiving a service from the patient transport service. She will be aware—as I have written to her and asked her many questions on the issue—that it is difficult to get information on the subject. Will she ask Audit Scotland to consider the cost to the health service of the lack of transport services? There are costs from missed appointments but, even worse, there are the costs of the taxi fares that are being charged to NHS boards.

Those are some of the issues that I discussed yesterday in the meeting that Dave Thompson arranged. It is not for me to tell Audit Scotland what work it should do, but I always welcome its work and the outcomes of that work in all areas.

I hope that I made it clear—I have been very open about the fact, as has the Ambulance Service—that the quality and reliability of the service that the patient transport service provides have to improve. The service has to improve for people who have a clinical need for it. If the patient transport service is unreliable, there is a knock-on effect on many other parts of the health service. The Ambulance Service very much acknowledges that and is committed to working to improve the service. In making my earlier point, I did not intend to ignore that point, but it is nevertheless important that we have transport solutions in place for those who do not have a clinical need for transport, so that the Ambulance Service does not have to compensate and, in doing so, reduce the level of service that is made available to those who have a genuine clinical need. It is a big challenge, but I am convinced that the Ambulance Service is determined to meet it and to improve.

Earlier this year, the mileage rate for patient transport service volunteer car drivers was changed from a flat rate of 36.9p per mile to 40p for the first 10,000 miles and 25p thereafter. Volunteer drivers with large mileages are finding that volunteering is becoming less financially viable. Last week, a volunteer driver from Helmsdale gave up driving for the service. The rate may be perfectly sensible in the central belt, but it makes no sense in the Highlands, where huge mileages are involved and we do not have a big pool of drivers. I have written to the cabinet secretary on the matter. I believe that the time has come for an independent inquiry into what is going wrong. We simply cannot afford to lose one more driver in the Highlands.

I thank Jamie Stone for his continued interest in the matter. Previously in the chamber, I have explained the background to the new guidance on mileage rates, so I will not go into the detail again today. The thinking and motivation behind the new rates is to avoid people falling into the territory where they become taxable on the expenses that they are being paid. Jamie Stone can roll his eyes, but that is the motivation behind the new guidance.

The issue is of particular note in rural Scotland, but it has been raised with me in Glasgow, too. By and large, the people who are affected detrimentally by the new guidance are those who do over 10,000 miles. I know that this is of concern and that it is an issue. As I have also said in the chamber, we have asked boards to provide feedback on the impact of the guidance in their area. I have given a commitment that, once we have all that feedback, we will review the rates in line with the evidence in the feedback. The review is under way. In the fullness of time and once we have all the information, I will be more than happy to share it with members who, I dare say, will want to give feedback.

As I have said on another issue today, I value the huge contribution that volunteers make, whether it is running cafes in hospitals or driving people to hospital appointments. We have to ensure that we reward those people properly for that, and we are committed to doing that. I am happy to keep Jamie Stone up to date with the progress of the review.

---

Community Care Services (Guidance)

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidance on the tendering of community care services and the right to direct payments. (S3O-8687)

The Scottish Government issued guidance on social care procurement in 2008. We intend to issue further guidance in the new year. The forthcoming guidance will take account of the duty on local authorities to offer eligible individuals in receipt of a social work service a direct payment.

Service users in Edinburgh are extremely concerned and, indeed, angry about the recent retendering of adult social care services in the city. First, will the minister make it clear in her new guidance that there is no requirement to retender where service users are satisfied and content with the service that they are receiving? Secondly, if retendering takes place, will she confirm that service users should be involved fully from the earliest stage? Thirdly, when people ask for direct payments, will she ensure that they have a right to have the payments processed as quickly as possible and to receive a level of payment that makes it possible for them to exercise genuine choice?

I welcome the City of Edinburgh Council's decision to suspend the tender process, which it will now have independently evaluated. I have asked my officials to seek further detail on the nature of the review.

As I said, we will publish new guidance in February. The guidance will underline the need for local authorities to consult and involve service users and their carers in the design of community care services and the planning process, where services are put out to tender. During the planning process, local authorities must consider the implications of direct payments and how they will ensure that all eligible individuals receive information about their right to receive such payments. I am sure that the member will continue to take an interest in the issue, as will I.

---

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde(Meetings with Chief Executive)

To ask the Scottish Executive when ministers last met the chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what issues were discussed. (S3O-8703)

I met the chief executive and senior team of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on 19 October, when I chaired the board's annual review. We discussed the board's performance against Scottish Government targets and local priorities. I also met the chief executive when I visited the Southern general hospital on 9 November for the unveiling of the design of the new south Glasgow hospital.

I draw the cabinet secretary's attention to the original concept of the new Stobhill hospital, which included the delivery of chemotherapy services. Does the minister share my concern that the latest design of the hospital does not include the delivery of such services? Will she make representations to the chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, so that it may reconsider its position in respect of the latest design?

I am more than happy to discuss Paul Martin's concerns with the chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and to report back to him when I have had that discussion. I am delighted that the new Stobhill is open and treating patients. The patients to whom I have spoken who have had experience of the hospital report that they are delighted with the standard of care that they receive there.

---

Football

To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to support grass-roots football. (S3O-8715)

The Scottish Government fully supports grass-roots and youth football, as is clearly demonstrated by the investment of more than £4 million through sportscotland in 2008-09. That includes both Scottish Government and national lottery funding that is invested in grass-roots and youth football.

The youth action plan is a 10-year commitment that will provide more than £31 million to support youth and grass-roots football throughout Scotland. The cashback for communities investment has created further opportunities for young people to develop their interests and skills in an enjoyable, fulfilling and supported way. In addition, sportscotland operates a number of funding programmes to which grass-roots clubs and community groups can apply for assistance.

I thank the minister for that extensive answer. I am sure that the minister is aware of the fantastic work of the Fife football partnership to develop footballing opportunities across the kingdom. Recently, I met coaches who are working on the seven-a-side aspect of the partnership. At present, their main concern is the availability of facilities. Recently, there was some bad news in Fife. Eighteen months ago, Fife Council and various other partners reached an agreement to build an all-weather, undercover, Astroturf facility, at the cost of £4 million. Unfortunately, that will not happen in the near future. Will the minister and her officials intervene on the matter, to see what assistance the Scottish Government can offer Fife Council and the Scottish Football Association to ensure that the centre becomes a reality for the thousands of adults and children who would use it?

I am aware that Fife Council recently completed its facilities strategy, which includes multisport developments for which the council is willing to provide some investment. Clearly, additional investment from other interested partners will be required. The council should be—and, I am sure, is—in discussions with sportscotland about the issue. I can write to the member to provide him with an update on those discussions and how they are being taken forward.

---

Administration of Medicines in Schools

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the regulations with regard to the administration of medicines in schools. (S3O-8707)

Although there are no current plans to review or update the administration of medicines in schools guidance, I understand that a short-life working group of the Scottish diabetes group is due to produce a report by the end of December that will include recommendations on how implementation of the guidance can be improved.

I thank the minister for the information that she has provided on the short-life working group. Is she aware of the concerns that parents across Scotland have expressed about the inconsistencies and variation that can affect pupils in schools, especially those with chronic or long-term conditions such as diabetes or asthma? Will she agree to look further at those concerns, possibly with a view to reviewing the regulations, to see whether they can be improved to ensure greater consistency?

As I said in my initial answer, the focus must be on how implementation of the guidance can be improved. The guidance is fine. It dictates that, if a child has a long-term condition, a health care plan should be drawn up for the pupil, in collaboration with the school, education authority staff, the parents and the board, to ensure that there is the necessary communication and support around the individual child. I am happy to keep the member updated about the outcome of the short-life working group. If it shows us a way to achieve better and more consistent implementation of the guidance, I will be happy to take that forward.

---

Alcohol Treatment (Disulfiram)

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the programme undertaken by Glasgow addiction services to provide supervised use of disulfiram in the treatment of individuals with alcohol problems. (S3O-8718)

Decisions on the most appropriate treatment for individual patients are taken by clinicians, who determine the most appropriate form of treatment, taking account of the needs and circumstances of each patient. Their aim is to ensure that the treatment package will provide the most effective support for the individual.

The provision of services is for each local area to consider, taking account of local needs, circumstances and resources. It is for individual health boards, local authorities and alcohol and drug partnerships to ensure that appropriate health care services are provided to meet the needs of their resident populations.

Will the minister and the cabinet secretary examine the potential for introducing this successful programme of supervised treatment across Scotland as part of the Government's approach to tackling Scotland's alcohol problems?

I am happy to consider anything that will help. I only hope that Richard Simpson will do likewise, taking the concerns of the medical profession and his colleagues into account regarding their support for minimum pricing. We would all do better if we came to the table on that issue and worked together.