Chamber and committees

The information requested isnot available.

The Centre for Change and Innovation’sPatient Pathways project includes a plastic surgery exceptional referral pathway,which has been issued to NHS boards. The pathway guidance has been developed byan expert group of clinicians and patient representatives. It covers tattoo removals,and suggests that this procedure should only be offered in circumstances where,for example, the individual is suffering from extreme psychological distress.

The pathways are offered as guidanceto the NHS for adaptation locally, but are not mandatory. Decisions will continueto be made at local level on an individual patient basis, based on a clinical assessment.

This information is not held centrally by The Scottish Executive.

A range of evidence has beenamassed from randomised controlled trailssuch as MADIT II and the COMPANION fed into an Evidence Note which was publishedby NHS Quality Improvement Scotland in November 2005. The Evidence Note sets outsthe benefits of cardiac resynchronisation therapy for heart failure which include:a reduction in mortality, hospital admissions and improved quality of life. A copyof the Evidence Note can be found at:www.nhshealthquality.org/nhsqis/qis_display_findings.jsp?pContentID=2771&p_applic=CCC&pElementID=0&pMenuId=0&p_service=Content.show&.

The National Advisory Committeeon Coronary Heart Disease has prepared a report on electrophysiology, which includescardiac resynchronisation therapy and the recommendations in the report have beencosted. Regional planning groups have been asked to take forward the introductionof cardiac resynchronisation therapy using this report as a basis.

This information is not heldcentrally.

The Scottish Executive’s Frameworkfor Economic Development in Scotland (FEDS) outlines our approach to growingthe economy, in Ayrshire as elsewhere. In line with this, we are investing in infrastructure,education and enterprise throughout Ayrshire.

Our recently published Peopleand Places: Regeneration Policy Statement identifies Ayrshire as a regionalpriority. It provides a clear commitment to unlocking the area’s potential throughmaximising the impact from public sector investment and providing the impetus forincreased private sector activity.

It is for local drug action teamsand partners to design and deliver services for drug misusers, tailored to meetlocal needs and priorities. Information provided by drug action teams through corporateaction plans for 2005-06 shows that there are 65 non-residential servicesacross Scotland which have facilities specifically for women. Residentialfacilities available for women’s drug rehabilitation include those providedthroughout Scotland by the Aberlour Child Care Trust for women and theirchildren who have a dependency on drugs or alcohol.

Criminal Justice disposalssuch as Probation with a Condition of Treatment and Drug Treatment and TestingOrders are also available for women offenders with substance misuse problems.

The Royal National Institutefor the Blind was among the consultees for the recent consultation on the termsof the Scotland-wide free bus travel scheme for older and disabled people. Inaddition, my officials are arranging to discuss with the Institute how travelcards should be presented on the bus.

The travel cards used in theScotland-wide free bus travel scheme for older and disabled people will be contactlesssmart cards that can be lightly placed on or above a card reader.

My officials are arrangingto discuss with the Royal Institute for the Blind how travel cards should bepresented on the bus and guidance will be produced on their use for both usersand operators.