Chamber and committees

We acknowledge theimportant role which carers can play, especially in cases of more severe brain injuries.Where patients have been admitted to hospital because of their brain injury, SIGNGuideline 46 stresses the importance of providing clear information, at the pointof discharge from hospital, to both the patient and the responsible adult takingthe patient home.

The Eglinton DisabilityResource Centre at Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine, can act as a further source of advice in cases of disabilities associatedwith severe head injury.

I fully recognisethe constructive role that voluntary organisations can play in tacklingsectarianism and religious intolerance in Scotland, and am aware that there are already many voluntary groups making apositive contribution to this agenda. That is why I intend to convene a meetingwith voluntary sector representatives, including Nil by Mouth, to discuss howwe can build on what has already been achieved to rid Scotland of religious bigotry and discrimination.

In addition Iwill be participating in the Nil by Mouth event which is being hosted at the Scottish Parliament on 14 November 2007.

The early managementof patients with head injury is covered by SIGN Guideline 46, which is currentlyunder revision. NHS boards are expected to implement these guidelines through localprotocols.

People in NHS Ayrshireand Arran who require specialist brain injury rehabilitation on an in-patient basisare referred either to the Astley Ainslie Hospital, Edinburgh, or to MurdostounCastle, near Wishaw. If discharged with rehabilitation needs, they would be seenon an out-patient basis at the Douglas Grant Rehabilitation Centre, Irvine.

I have not had specificdiscussions on the progress of the Maybole Bypass. It is being considered as partof the Strategic Transport Projects Review which will report in summer 2008.

The Scottish Government’sanimal disease surveillance arrangements are kept under review to ensure that theyare appropriate to Scotland’s needs.

The recent outbreakof foot-and-mouth disease in Surrey has highlighted the importance of continuedvigilance for signs of disease and surveillance. Given the level of resource currentlyin place the Scottish Government does not believe that additional financial supportis necessary.

The Scottish Government’sanimal disease surveillance programme is kept under continual review to ensure itprovides maximum protection and benefit to Scotland’s livestock industry.

A reporter from theDirectorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) held a public local inquiryinto an application for the proposed Kyle windfarm, near Dalmellington. The inquiryended in June 2007 and the Reporter will shortly be submitting his report to Scottishministers, who will make the final decision on this application.

The maintenance oftheir school buildings is a local authority responsibility. Detailed informationof the kind requested is not held centrally.

The Scottish Governmentdoes not hold centrally information on the reasons for refusals of planning permissionby planning authorities, other than those which are subject to an appeal to Scottishministers. Each planning authority is required to include the reasons for a refusalin the relevant decision notice.

Scottishministers have received 37 appeals against refusal or non-determination of a planningapplication by planning authorities of wind farm or wind turbine applications. Ofthese 37 appeals 17 were dismissed and of these, four cited the cumulative impactof the proposal as a factor in reaching the decision.