Good morning. The first item of business today is general questions. Short and succinct questions and answers would be much appreciated.
National Health Service (Digital Wards)
All boards are making progress in increasing the use of digital technologies, increasing access to information, improving efficiency and reducing reliance on paper across all clinical settings. NHS boards are committed to the provision of technology that positively improves the care that healthcare workers can provide in hospital wards and clinics. Boards are actively seeking to address that by using mobile, whiteboard and related technologies. Each NHS board has a delivery plan that outlines how that will be achieved. The Scottish Government regularly meets NHS boards to review progress and consistency with the national e-health strategy.
Is the cabinet secretary aware of the recent University of Edinburgh trial of home blood pressure telemonitors, which allow the general practitioner or specialist to receive and respond timeously to patient-collected data? Given that the trial suggests that there were improved health outcomes for participants, does he agree that further investment in digital infrastructure and the use of direct data feeds to GPs, especially in rural areas, may assist in reducing unnecessary deaths, particularly from stroke and heart disease, where infrequent monitoring may be an issue?
I am aware of the positive results that emerged from the telescot trials and I am pleased that a growing body of evidence shows the effectiveness of supported telemonitoring in achieving clinically important outcomes in primary care settings. The fact that the trial was developed and researched in Scotland is just one reason why, in my view, Scotland is rightly held up across Europe as being in the vanguard in integrating telehealth and telecare into the delivery of services.
Software Engineers (Demand)
The information technology and telecoms sector is important, as it directly contributes £3 billion to the Scottish economy. In its own right, the sector employs around 56,000 individuals and, with the enabling technology supporting and driving growth in other areas, the workforce involved totals around 73,000.
In his answer, the cabinet secretary clearly stated the substantial numbers of people employed in the IT industry in Scotland. We know that up to 65 per cent of companies surveyed in Scotland are reporting increasing demand for graduates in the industry, with a forecast 45,000 new entrants needed over the next five years.
I meet ScotlandIS fairly frequently, but I would be delighted to have a meeting with Mr Coffey and ScotlandIS. I take this opportunity to compliment ScotlandIS on the consistent, positive and productive way in which it advances arguments on the industry’s behalf.
Equality Evidence Strategy 2013
Further to the release of the equality evidence strategy 2013, the Scottish Government published seven comprehensive equality evidence reviews that collated information from a wide range of published research to fill evidence gaps across all the protected equality characteristics. The Scottish Government is working with National Records of Scotland colleagues ahead of the release of equality tables from the 2011 census, which are due for publication from this summer. The census data will help to address evidence gaps across a number of equality characteristics and will provide that information at lower-level geographies.
Can the minister advise me what feedback has been received regarding the equality evidence finder website, specifically from disabled groups? Does she believe that further engagement is required with any groups?
The Scottish Government and disabled people’s organisations have jointly established a working group that is aimed at improving the disability pages of the equality evidence finder. The disabled people’s organisations within the group have been positive about the evidence finder, welcoming it as a new resource, but they and the Scottish Government recognise that more could be done to improve it. The Scottish Government will continue to engage with the group to ensure that the evidence gaps are considered, prioritised and, importantly, filled where that is appropriate.
European Union (Membership)
Unlike the United Kingdom Government and indeed some of those on the Opposition benches here, the Scottish Government has a very clear position on the European Union. Following a yes vote, we will notify our intention to become an independent member state of the EU, and we would secure that through negotiations in the period between the referendum and the first day of independence.
Can the Deputy First Minister confirm what Fiona Hyslop told “Newsnight” on 15 May, which was that the Government had indeed received legal advice on EU membership should Scotland separate from the UK? Can the Deputy First Minister also confirm that that advice states that EU membership will not automatically transfer in the case of Scotland separating from the United Kingdom?
Yes, I confirm what Fiona Hyslop said—of course I do.
Energy Skills Scotland
Yes, it will. Between new jobs from sector growth and replacement of existing personnel who will retire, I expect around 95,000 job opportunities to arise over the next seven years in the energy sector in Scotland. Energy Skills Scotland will work with industry, schools, colleges, universities and others to meet the energy sector’s needs.
The minister will be aware that, in the north-east in particular, much is being done to try to resolve the gender imbalance in the energy sector. Is he hopeful that, in the rest of Scotland, attempts will be made to mirror the efforts that have been taking place in the north-east to resolve the gender mismatch?
Yes, I am hopeful that, throughout Scotland, we will encourage more females to enter the oil and gas, renewables and, indeed, chemical engineering sectors. As John Swinney said in reply to an earlier question, the issue applies across all sectors.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (Meetings)
Ministers and Government officials meet regularly with representatives of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to discuss matters of importance to local people.
The cabinet secretary will be aware of Audit Scotland’s findings on health inequalities, which highlight the lack of clarity and focus among health boards and local partners on targeting areas of greatest need. What action has the Government been taking in respect of that report?
We are taking a range of action. For example, one of the best ways that we can deliver better primary care services for the more deprived areas is through the deep-end practices, many of which are in Glasgow and some of which are in the member’s constituency.
Has the cabinet secretary received a briefing from the health board on whether its passenger transport access plan to the new Southern general hospital is as comprehensive as it needs to be to afford access to patients from the whole of the health board area?
No specific briefing has come to me so far but, if the member has concerns and writes to me, I will raise them with the health board.
The cabinet secretary will be aware that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is one of the worst-performing boards on the four-hour accident and emergency waiting time guarantee and that most cases of delay were due to a lack of beds. Will he tell me what action is being taken to increase bed capacity to deal with the problem?
I have instructed greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board to review its bed capacity and, in particular, not to implement any policies for further reduction in bed capacity until it is entirely satisfied that it has enough beds not only to deal with any accident and emergency issues but to ensure that it continues to meet the treatment time guarantee.
International Development Spending Priorities (Malawi)
Scotland has a special relationship with Malawi, governed by a co-operation agreement between our two nations. The agreement sets out the priority areas on which the Scottish Government and the Government of Malawi work together, which are health, education, civil society and governance, and sustainable economic development. Further priorities are always developing. Topics of mutual interest include renewable energy, water and climate change.
I thank the minister for that answer, but is he aware of concern among international development charities and aid organisations about the fact that there will be no further applications to the Malawi fund until next autumn—that is, autumn 2014? I understand that some money has been released this year, but that that money is a carry-forward from an underspend last year. In effect, that means that no new money will be spent on Malawi until 2015.
I thank the member for raising that concern.
The minister will be aware of the interest that exists in Orkney in the small grants scheme with regard to Malawi. Has there been any further thinking about the areas that the scheme will cover?
Discussions are still going on with the Scotland Malawi Partnership, NIDOS and other stakeholders to ensure that we get the scheme absolutely right. I will endeavour to ensure that the member is kept up to date with those discussions. I hope that he will pass on my best to Pastor Kester from the Thyolo Highlands, which is twinned with Westray in his constituency.
Automatic Electronic Defibrillators (Secondary Schools)
The Scottish Government has no plans to install automatic electronic defibrillators in secondary schools, because—rightly—that is a decision for local authorities. I am aware that North Lanarkshire Council, in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire and Amey, has recently taken the decision to install defibrillators in all 24 of its secondary schools.
I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer, and I agree that training is required, as was highlighted in last Wednesday’s debate.
I know that the member has a long-standing interest in the subject, and I think that we are all in agreement that access to defibrillators is time critical and of extreme importance, but schools might not always be the best locations for them in communities. International guidelines require there to be a reasonable probability of an automatic electronic defibrillator being used at least once in two years.
Local Authority Budgets (Role of Communities)
The Scottish Government welcomes all efforts that local authorities make to listen to the voices of local people when they shape their budgets. Our proposed community empowerment and renewal bill will look to strengthen the voice of communities in the planning and delivery of services across the public sector.
Does the minister agree that it was foolhardy and wrong of the Labour-Tory run Stirling Council to proceed with cuts to bus transport subsidies before consulting any of the communities affected? Given that the cuts are impacting severely on people’s ability to travel to work and education and to access public services, does he agree that that better together council should review its unsafe decision and consult the affected communities, even at this late stage?
It is thoroughly good practice to consult local communities on the provision of services. The renewed community planning arrangements should ensure that there is a focus on community involvement as part of the process of public sector expenditure in communities. Best practice is absolutely to communicate, consult and engage with local communities.