Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S4W-17694

Asked by: Helen Eadie, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 04 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 29 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how it raises awareness of gluten ataxia (a) in the community and (b) among medical professionals.

We recognise that raising awareness of rare conditions such as gluten ataxia can be very challenging.

We are currently supporting the National Neurological Advisory Group (NNAG) in raising the profile of all neurological conditions within the NHS, the third sector and public awareness.

The NNAGs aim is to drive forward the neurological standards. The standards aim to improve the patient journey from the point of referral into the service and ensure that every patient with a disorder of the nervous system experiences a quality of care that gives confidence to the patient, clinician and carer.

We have also funded the Neurological Alliance of Scotland’s ‘Voices’ programme which enables people with neurological conditions to influence and shape the re-design of neurological services.

Question reference: S4W-17695

Asked by: Helen Eadie, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 04 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 29 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether people with gluten ataxia, other than those diagnosed with coeliac disease, can obtain gluten-free products on an NHS prescription and what the reason is for its position on this matter.

The Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances advises prescribers on a UK basis as to which, and in which circumstances, substances such as some foods and toiletries may be regarded as drugs for the treatment of specified conditions, and may thus be prescribed. In this regard it recognises certain staple gluten-free foods as suitable for gluten-sensitive enteropathies. There is no advice in respect of any substances in the context of gluten ataxia.

Question reference: S4W-17693

Asked by: Helen Eadie, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 04 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 29 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are clinics in Scotland for patients with gluten-related neurological manifestations that provide the specialised services available at the Sheffield Institute of Gluten-Related Disorders.

Question reference: S4W-17690

Asked by: Helen Eadie, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 04 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 29 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what information the NHS provides to patients on (a) symptoms, (b) treatment and (c) dietary recommendations for people with gluten ataxia.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone with a neurological condition can access the care and support they need.

Ataxia refers to a group of neurological disorders that affect balance, coordination, and speech; there are many different types of ataxia that can affect people in different ways.

Gluten ataxia is considered an exceptionally rare disorder and the range of neurological problems caused by gluten sensitivity is still unclear.

NHS Inform provides a wide range of information about the symptoms, causes and diagnosis of ataxia, and including links to organisations such as Ataxia UK at the following link:

http://www.nhsinform.co.uk/Health-Library/Articles/A/ataxia/introduction

Neurologists seeing patients with unexplained ataxia would undertake a range of investigations and tests into possible causes; gluten sensitivity is assessed using a blood test.

We would expect anyone diagnosed with a disorder linked to gluten sensitivity to be provided with appropriate dietary advice.

Question reference: S4W-17692

Asked by: Helen Eadie, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 04 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 29 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve early diagnosis rates for gluten ataxia.

We want to see everyone with a neurological condition diagnosed as swiftly as possible so that they can access the treatment and support they need.

Gluten ataxia is considered a rare disorder and the range of neurological problems caused by gluten sensitivity is still unclear. Neurologists reviewing people with unexplained ataxia would undertake a range of investigations and tests into possible causes; gluten sensitivity is assessed using a blood test.

The main driver for improvement within neurological services will be implementation of the clinical standards for neurological conditions which state that:

patient with suspected neurological conditions should be assessed by clinicians who specialise in neurological conditions; and

patients should be assessed within timescales dictated by their clinical need.

The National Neurological Advisory Group, has been established with Scottish Government funding to support implementation of the clinical standards.

Question reference: S4W-17691

Asked by: Helen Eadie, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 04 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 29 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what support it has provided for research into gluten ataxia in each of the last three years.

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN ANSWER

29 October 2013

Index Heading: Health and Social Care

Helen Eadie (Cowdenbeath) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what support it has provided for research into gluten ataxia in each of the last three years.

(S4W-17691)

Alex Neil: Within the Scottish Government, the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) has responsibility for encouraging and supporting research into health and healthcare needs in Scotland. CSO has not received any research funding applications on gluten ataxia in the last three years but would welcome applications of a sufficiently high standard from the Scottish research community.

Question reference: S4W-17689

Asked by: Helen Eadie, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 04 October 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 28 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time has been for a diagnosis of gluten ataxia in each NHS board in each of the last three years.

Question reference: S4W-17487

Asked by: Helen Eadie, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 27 September 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 11 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a legal impediment to using CCTV in hospital wards to monitor patient safety.

Neither the Scottish Government nor NHSScotland have undertaken detailed consideration of installing CCTV in hospital wards. However, there are a number of legal, ethical, and practical considerations, which would need to be taken into account before instituting a blanket policy.

Any board or hospital wishing to institute such a policy would have to consider the implications for patient privacy and dignity through their local Caldicott process. The Caldicott guardians uphold the principles of the Data Protection Act, as well as protecting patient privacy and confidentiality.

The Scottish Government is committed to care that is safe, effective and person centred. The Scottish Patient Safety Programme is delivering a range of improvements in acute settings, and is focused on spreading evidence based interventions to protect patients.

Question reference: S4O-02493

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S4W-17146

Asked by: Helen Eadie, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 September 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 26 September 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that NHS boards have been purchasing private care following a reduction in the number of acute orthopaedic beds in 2012 and whether it considers that this is consistent with its reported position that all services should be provided outwith the private sector.

The Scottish Government policy on the use of the private sector is very clear in we expect the funding approved by the Scottish Parliament for the NHS is used to build sustainable capacity in NHS Scotland. NHS board have plans in place to increase their capacity. NHS boards are making available over £67 million to boost capacity across Scotland during 2013-14 to ensure patients get swift access to hospital treatment.