Plenary, 23 Jun 2005

Meeting date: Thursday, June 23, 2005

Official Report 790KB pdf

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Question Time

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SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

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General Questions

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Homophobic Bullying

To ask the Scottish Executive how the police are addressing homophobic bullying in the workplace and in schools. (S2O-7206)

The police are involved in a number of initiatives to combat homophobia in schools. The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland is currently working with LGBT Youth Scotland as partners on the Executive's homophobic bullying project advisory board.

I shall have the pleasure of attending the Pride Scotia march in Edinburgh at the weekend and of launching Stonewall Scotland and LGBT Youth Scotland's education for all campaign, which hopes to tackle the problem of homophobic bullying in schools with a number of partner organisations. Is the minister happy to support that initiative? What training is the Executive undertaking with public sector workers on homophobic bullying and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues in general?

The initiative that Margaret Smith refers to is important. The Executive has, through its Education Department, commissioned LGBT Youth Scotland, in partnership with the Centre for Education for Racial Equality in Scotland, to carry out some work on homophobic incidents in schools. We believe that, if we can research some of the issues surrounding the problem, recommendations will be made and we can then develop a second phase of work that will allow us to consider what more might need to be done in that respect. I want to place on record our strong commitment to tackling the problem of bullying in any shape or form. It is important that all public sector workers are able to report such incidents if they are the victims of those incidents, and that they should ensure that they are aware in their day-to-day practice of the equality issues that are involved.

Question 2 has been withdrawn.

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“World Competitiveness Yearbook”

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the accuracy of data provided to IMD of Switzerland, the authors of the "World Competitiveness Yearbook", and how it will ensure that the provision of those data does not adversely affect the economy. (S2O-7223)

The accuracy of the data provided to IMD—the International Institute for Management Development—is not in dispute. However, a number of problems and inconsistencies are evident in the yearbook, which undermines its overall effectiveness as a benchmarking tool. A more reliable assessment of Scotland's economic performance relative to other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development nations and of the challenges we face is provided by the annual report entitled, "Measuring Scotland's Progress Towards a Smart, Successful Scotland".

I draw the minister's attention to a dangerous outcome of discredited data produced by the Executive and passed to IMD by Scottish Enterprise. I refer to the "Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland" data, which, perversely, do not include Scottish oil revenues and are falsely causing Scotland to be placed 55th out of 60 developed and developing countries in terms of national viability. How will that help to boost inward investment and our vital financial services sector?

The GERS figure is the only estimate of Scottish fiscal balance that we have, and it is based on national accounting principles and agreed methodology. The fact that the nationalists do not like the outcome of that should not cause us to change the way in which we measure such things. According to GERS, Scotland's fiscal balance for 2002-03 is estimated to be a deficit of £9.3 billion. That figure does not include North sea oil revenues. If they were to be allocated to Scotland, the fiscal balance would still show a net deficit of £4.4 billion. As my colleague Mr McNulty observed in the previous debate, that is a black hole, which the nationalists would have to fill by cutting services or raising taxes.

The minister may seek to discredit the IMD data, but they represent an important piece of international research that is relied on, for example, by international companies that want to find locations for direct investment. Is the Executive satisfied with Scotland's ranking in the IMD tables and, if not, what will the new enterprise minister—whoever that will be—do about it?

I would love to be given the opportunity to do something about that, but we will just have to wait and see.

I do not seek to discredit the IMD report. We say that all such indices need to be interpreted with care and that we have identified a number of inconsistencies. Many of the measures that IMD uses give a higher score to absolute values, which favours larger economies over smaller economies such as ours. The fact that many variables count twice reinforces the problem of absolute values. IMD relies heavily on survey data. Although 220 or so surveys were sent out in Scotland, only 37 responses were received. That means that a high degree of importance has been attached to a low response rate, which I do not believe makes for sound economic forecasting.

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Cancer Treatment Targets

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that cancer treatment targets can be met. (S2O-7211)

I have said before and I will say again that the 2005 cancer target is a big challenge for the national health service in Scotland. We have set a stretching target and recognise that it will be difficult to meet.

There have been reductions in waiting times as a result of the extra staff and equipment that were put in place following the cancer strategy investment, but I want NHS boards to speed up those improvements. The national delivery plan that was agreed with the NHS boards will be published soon. It sets out additional actions that will be taken, which are aimed at achieving the 2005 waiting times target by the end of the year. The new waiting times standards for diagnostic tests that I announced earlier this week will also help to drive down waiting times for cancer treatment.

The minister frequently tells us that efforts are being focused on the big killer diseases such as cancer, but is he aware that, in Tayside, compliance with the treatment targets for lung cancer, breast cancer and ovarian cancer is below the Scottish average and that even with colorectal cancer, the figures for which are above the national average, it is still the case that only two thirds of patients receive treatment within two months of referral? How does the minister believe that his targets stack up against that reality?

Mortality levels as a result of cancer were down by 13.6 per cent in the eight years to 2003 and we are on track to meet our further target of reducing deaths from cancer by 20 per cent by around 2010. The additional £25 million a year that supports the cancer strategy, which involves the provision of 300 additional staff and training for existing staff, the millions of pounds that are being spent on magnetic resonance imaging scanners, computed tomography scanners and radiotherapy equipment and the fact that such facilities are being based in communities all assist in making progress.

I repeat that our target is to be met in December 2005. I have implemented a plan that further emphasises our desire to meet that target. The challenge is for boards to respond to that on behalf of patients. I fully understand and appreciate patients' concerns, but we will do our utmost to deliver on that target, thus ensuring that no one must wait overly long for cancer treatment.

Is the minister aware that Grampian NHS Board has the highest number of patients in Scotland who must wait for more than two months for breast cancer treatment? What action is the Executive taking to ensure that NHS Grampian addresses that situation effectively?

I am aware of the situation in Grampian and am highly disturbed by it. However, over the past few months action has been taken to address some of the difficulties that are being experienced. Acknowledging that we have a shortage of specialist radiologists is no use to patients; we must solve the problem. That is why considerable effort was put into ensuring that women from Grampian, in particular, were able to access services in the private sector.

My latest advice is that progress is being made and that most women are now receiving treatment within one month of diagnosis. I appreciate the pressures that are on Grampian NHS Board, but the cancer plan and the additional resources that we are providing are good for patients and their families and I expect to see better results in due course.

Will the minister assure me that cancer care in Grampian will not be undermined when the board makes the £20 million-worth of savings that it is being asked to make? Does he agree that the budget for potentially life-saving drugs should not be cut and that the savings should be made elsewhere?

I agree with that. The savings are not about making cuts. I have outlined the huge investment that is taking place in cancer services in Scotland. For example, the Beatson oncology centre in Glasgow is receiving £87 million of investment and we are putting resources into additional MRI and CT scanners and other diagnostic testing. I expect to see much better results for patients. We have agreed a plan with the boards, which are responsible for the provision of the services in question, and I expect our plan to be followed.

Question 5 has been withdrawn.

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Disclosure Scotland

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is now satisfied with the operation of Disclosure Scotland. (S2O-7216)

Since September 2004, Disclosure Scotland has performed consistently in exceeding its target of processing 90 per cent of all valid applications within 10 working days.

Is the minister aware that, once someone has passed the enhanced disclosure procedure, there is no review mechanism in place? There will be an inquiry only if the volunteer moves organisation or if a third party makes a referral to the organisation. A volunteer might stay with an organisation for 10 years. Does the minister agree that there may be a place for a mandatory review system? Reviews could be carried out every three years, for example.

The member will be aware that the voluntary sector has expressed concerns about the number of multiple checks that sometimes have to be done when volunteers move quickly through the system or when they work for a number of different organisations.

It is important that we continue to give every possible protection to our children and young people, in particular, and to others who require to be protected. As the member will be well aware, a fair amount of work is being done following the Bichard report. It is important that we take account of that in developing any future plans.

Does the minister have any plans to reduce the need for multiple applications to be made for the same person, which is a major grievance? It appears to be extraordinarily foolish that someone who has been scrutinised and passed as being acceptable should have to go through the process again and again just because they work in a number of different spheres. Does the minister have any plans for streamlining the system, which would remove a lot of the aggro that it causes?

In my previous answer I hinted that I am well aware of such concerns, but it is vital to recognise that the protection of children and young people must always be the priority. I believe that the majority of volunteers will want to ensure that children are protected, even if that means a slight delay or having to go through additional checks.

However, we will consider the work that is being done on Bichard throughout the United Kingdom and will examine what is planned for introduction in 2007. We will investigate the possibility of streamlining the process and obviating the need for the types of multiple checks that become a problem rather than part of the solution.

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Cataract Operations (Highlands and Islands)

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waiting times are for cataract operations in the Highland NHS Board area. (S2O-7207)

Provisional information for the year ending on 31 March 2005 shows that the median waiting time for cataract operations for NHS Highland residents was 210 days. On 31 March 2005, 18 NHS Highland residents with a guarantee had waited more than six months for cataract surgery. Sixty-six NHS Highland residents were in that position on 31 March 2004, so there has been a reduction of 73 per cent. "Fair to All, Personal to Each" includes a commitment that, by the end of 2007, the national maximum waiting time for cataract surgery will be 18 weeks from general practitioner or optometrist referral.

Statistics are one thing but, inevitably, I know of individual cases involving waiting times that are way beyond the median or the average. Would it be all right if I brought those cases to the attention of the minister in the interests of helping my constituents and achieving a better solution for the NHS not only in the Highlands and Islands but in the whole of Scotland?

I would be happy to have those cases brought to my attention. I can reiterate that NHS Highland has made significant reductions in waiting times and that, by 2007, the maximum waiting time from the time of referral to surgery will be 18 weeks.

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Universities (Points System)

To ask the Scottish Executive what advice and information it offers to university students and staff regarding how the points system for subject units operates. (S2O-7213)

The progression policies of higher education institutions are an internal matter for institutions. Guidance to students and staff on how these policies operate is the responsibility of institutions.

Will the minister comment on the fact that, in my constituency, two students who completed the same units at university have been given conflicting advice, with one being accepted for teacher training and the other being rejected? Can he explain why the latter will have to undertake two summer courses to reach the points tally of her colleague? Can he offer any explanation for that inconsistency and will he take appropriate action to train career staff and ensure that there is no further confusion in relation to the points system?

Obviously, I cannot comment on the circumstances of individual students. It would be inappropriate for me to do so. As I said, matters of progression are the responsibilities of the institutions.

The higher education system in Scotland is flexible enough to support students who want to change direction in the course of their studies. In response to the member's specific point, I note that the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2004 introduced provisions that enable students' complaints to which there has been no resolution or satisfactory outcome to be investigated by the public services ombudsman at institutional level. Mrs Ewing might wish to follow that course, in conjunction with her constituent.

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Health Priorities

To ask the Scottish Executive whether cancer, mental health and heart disease will remain its health priorities in future years. (S2O-7180)

The three clinical priorities for NHS Scotland are: cancer; coronary heart disease and strokes; and mental health. I have no plans to alter the priorities.

Our clinical strategies are already showing results. For example, in relation to the 1995 figures, under-75 mortality is down by 13.6 per cent for cancer, 38 per cent for coronary heart disease and 34 per cent for strokes. Further, in relation to mental health, in 2003, we gave a cautious welcome to the lowest total of national suicide figures since 1991.

Given that mental health is a priority, will the minister confirm that all staff and resources are in place for the full implementation of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 in October? Further, I would like to ask that, in future, infertility be given higher priority.

Our mental health strategy and the 2003 act are looked at with envy around the world. I look forward to the successful implementation of the act and can, therefore, give the member an assurance that I believe that all our health boards should be able to handle their responsibilities under the 2003 act. I am examining the situation with the boards and am currently carrying out reviews.

With regard to other services, it has to be repeated that we have set ourselves clear targets in relation to those chronic conditions and diseases that mean that too many families are separated from some of their members through death or ill health. We need to address other health issues but we need to retain that focus on cancer, coronary heart disease, strokes and mental health.

I welcome to the gallery His Excellency Edgardo Espiritu, the ambassador for the United Kingdom from the Philippines and the Hon Sailesi Gulule MP and the Hon Ernest Yahaya MP, who are members of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee in the National Assembly of Malawi.