Chamber and committees

The Chief Scientist Office (CSO)within the Scottish Executive Health Department has responsibility for encouragingand supporting research into health and health care needs in Scotland. CSOis largely a response mode funder of research and this role is well known andadvertised throughout the health care and academic community.

CSO is not currentlydirectly funding any research, including clinical trials, on multiple sclerosis(MS). This is due to the fact that no research proposals on MS have beenreceived in recent years. CSO would be pleased to consider research proposalsfor innovative MS studies of a sufficiently high standard. These would besubject to the usual peer and committee review.

No noise mitigation measureshave been instigated as a consequence of increased traffic flow.

For new roads, the ScottishExecutive will assess predicted noise emissions and, where appropriate, devisea strategy for attenuation or insulation of affected properties. Theeligibility to be insulated if a property is adjacent to a new or improved roadis assessed on the first, fifth, tenth and fifteenth anniversary of the roadopening or re-opening. There is not a programme for the improvement of noisearound existing roads, however modern materials emit less noise than traditionalsurfacing and therefore improvements can normally be anticipated when worn outsections are resurfaced.

No discussions have beenheld between the Executive and the European Commission about the effect on the Scottish economy of Ryanair’s Glasgow Prestwick-Charleroi route. TheCommission’s investigation does not relate to the economic importance of airservices operated by Ryanair but relates to the support given by the Belgianauthorities in respect of Charleroi Airport.

No discussions have beenheld between the Executive and the European Commission about the subsidiesreceived by Ryanair to use Charleroi Airport. The Commission’s investigation relates to mattersin Belgium which are outwith the jurisdiction of the Executive and the Scottish ministers.

Our National Health(December 2000, Bib. number 10298) and Partnership for Care (February 2003, Bib.number 26689) are explicit about the need for the NHS to work with patients andtheir carers to ensure that they have the information and support they need tobe involved in decisions that affect them. This applies equally to people withconditions such as Alzheimer’s disease where there is a key role for carers andrelatives.

In addition to this, as partof the implementation of the Community Care and Health (Scotland)Act 2002, NHS boards will be required to draw up carer information strategies. Guidanceon the format and content of these strategies will be discussed in consultationwith carer’s organisations and issued in 2004.

the Scottish Voluntary Charter on Smoking in Public Places is an industryinitiative to drive improvements in non-smoking facilities in the licensed,tourism and hospitality sector. As such, it continues to be actively promotedto their membership by the four main industry bodies supporting it - the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, Scottish Tourism Forum, Scottish Beer andPub Association and British Hospitality Association.

Theimportance the Scottish Executive places uponthe drive towards smoke-free places is underscored by the partnership agreement commitment toconsult on action to achieve considerably more smoke-free restaurants and pubsand on further measures to enforce restrictions on smoking inpublic transport. Moreover, following a review of nationaltobacco control policy more generally, we will shortly be publishing a newaction plan to build on achievements made to date. This will reflect our desireto engage in a widespread public dialogue on possible future approaches to reducethe impact of second-hand smoke.

Carers are keypartners in the care of the people they look after. The ScottishExecutive’s Strategy for Carers in Scotland (November 1999, Bib number15679) underlines the importance of ensuring that carers have as much informationas possible about the health and treatment of the person they care for in orderto help them in their caring role. This should be provided in line with patientconfidentiality and the protections afforded under the Adults With Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000.

Patients can respond betterand perhaps faster to treatment if their mental health needs are addressedalongside their physical needs. A Scottish Needs Assessment Programme 2002 report,Liaison Psychiatry and Psychology (Bib. number 29705), underlined theimportance we attach to identifying the whole person needs of all patients inthis regard. With this in mind and as part of their training, all NHSprofessionals receive training in working with confused patients, includingthose with Alzheimer’s disease. Local health systems lead on all aspects of in servicetraining.

The report of the ChiefMedical Officer’s expert group on the health care of older people, AddingLife to Years, published in 2001 (Bib. number 18916) includedrecommendations on early detection, awareness, recognition and treatment ofolder people’s mental health needs. Rapid assessment, consideration of careoptions, access to modern drug treatments where appropriate and planned followup were also covered.

I look to NHS Scotland andtheir care partners to respond positively to these considered recommendations.