Chamber and committees

The information requested is not centrally available.

NHS Workforce data is published by NHS National Services Scotland, Information Services Division (ISD). Trend workforce information showing headcount and whole time equivalent of management grades (non agenda for change) as at 30 September for the years 2007 to 2010 by NHS board can be found at:

http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/servlet/FileBuffer?namedFile=All%20other%20staff%202010.xls&pContentDispositionType=attachment.

The increase in VAT is estimated to cost the NHS budget £26 million in 2011-12.

The Scottish Government does not collect information on the number of management consultants across NHSScotland. This is a matter for individual NHS boards.

NHS boards have an important role to play in reducing inequality and poverty in areas of multiple deprivation. Health and Wellbeing ministers have made it clear that boards and community health partnerships should contribute to the Scottish Government''s overall purpose and to a range of national and local outcomes, including those aimed at reducing inequality and poverty. As part of the local delivery plans and NHS accountability process, boards are now required to demonstrate activity that supports the agreed priorities set out in the three linked social policy frameworks on early years, health inequality and tackling poverty, as well as economic recovery from recession. Where appropriate, this will include activity targeted in areas of multiple deprivation, such as the Keep Well programme of inequalities-targeted health checks. To date, more than 90,000 people from Scotland''s most deprived communities have received a Keep Well health check. The health checks cover both clinical risk factors and wider life circumstances, with patients receiving appropriate follow-up treatment and advice. We have announced plans to mainstream the Keep Well programme from April 2012.

This information is not held centrally.

This information is not held centrally. The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland is notified of detentions under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 and may be able to provide further information.

This information is not held centrally. Commi

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) meets regularly to discuss vaccine related issues. Officials from the Scottish Government and from Health Protection Scotland attend these meetings.

All children aged six months to five years old were offered vaccination against influenza A (H1N1) during the H1N1 pandemic in 2009-10 on the basis of what was known about the virus at the time. However there is no longer a pandemic of influenza and for 2010-11 we have returned to the routine seasonal flu arrangements.

The JCVI considered whether flu vaccination should be offered to healthy children aged either zero to four years and five to 15 years of age at their meeting on 30 December 2010. They considered that, although there was a high incidence of influenza-like illness in those age groups, a significant proportion was due to other viruses such as Respiratory Syncytial Virus. In addition, only a very small proportion of those with severe disease at the time were children. Most healthy children who catch flu will recover within a week and will not experience any adverse effects.

In conclusion, the JCVI recommended that only adults and children (aged from six months) who have clinical risk factors which place them at particular risk from seasonal flu, should have vaccination against flu this year. The Scottish Government, and all the UK administrations, followed this recommendation and has not offered seasonal flu vaccination to healthy children this year. This is in line with practice in previous years where healthy children have not been recommended for seasonal flu vaccination.

The JCVI continue to keep recommendations under review and we will consider carefully any recommendations they make.

Information on annual staff turnover in NHSScotland by staff group is published on the NHS National Services Scotland, Information Services Division website at:

http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/servlet/FileBuffer?namedFile=Turnover_2010.xls&pContentDispositionType=attachment.