Chamber and committees

This will be an operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service. However, a programme board is being established to ensure a smooth implementation of the new arrangements. Current ambulance policy commits the service to ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate treatment. This is delivered by paramedics and other appropriately trained clinical staff and this mix of provision is likely to be reflected in the recruitment plan.

It is anticipated the annual cost of the recently announced longer term agreement will be in the region of £5 million. The transitional arrangements from 17 January 2012 to the end of June 2012 are anticipated to cost £1.875 million at most. Although the quicker staff move to their new working arrangements, the less that sum will be.

The Scottish Ambulance Service has advised that overtime payments covering hours worked between April and December 2011 total £6,218,303. Overtime is generally paid one month in arrears so overtime incurred in December is paid in January.

The information requested is not held centrally.

The Scottish Suicide Information Database (ScotSID) Report published on 20 December 2011, holds information on Place of Suicidal Act with categories such as Private Dwelling, Street or Highway, and Method of Suicide, including the category Jumping or Falling from a High Place. However it does not name any specific locations, such as the Erskine Bridge.

The second phase of ScotSID’s development involves working with the Procurator Fiscal to provide more extensive information on an individual’s circumstances of death, and common suicide locations may at some point be considered for future inclusion.

The ScotSID Report can be accessed at: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Public-Health/Publications/2011-12-20/2011-12-20-Suicide-Report.pdf.

Breathing Space Funding is as follows:

2010-11

£1,043,000 total funding received:

£825,000 Scottish Government funding allocation for Breathing Space

£218,000 NHS 24 funding (internal allocation).

2011-12

£1,178,152 total funding received

£825,000 Scottish Government funding

£353,152 NHS 24 funding (internal allocation)

Funding has not been allocated yet for 2012-13.

The provision of HIV prevention services are a matter for local NHS boards. The role of government is to ensure that our policy priorities of fewer new blood-borne virus infections and fewer STIs are achieved, and that individual are not adversely affected by any local commissioning decision.

NHS Grampian has informed us that there has been no gap in the provision of HIV prevention services since 1 December 2011, and they have continued to undertake a range of prevention activities. We will continue to monitor this closely.

The provision of HIV prevention services are a matter for local NHS boards. The role of government is to ensure that our policy priorities of fewer new blood-borne virus infections and fewer STIs are achieved, and that individual are not adversely affected by any local commissioning decision. NHS Grampian has informed us that there has been no gap in the provision of HIV prevention services since December and we will continue to monitor this closely.

NHS Grampian has continued to provide and support a range of prevention activities since December, including promotion of the HIV Wake Up call campaign; the promotion and distribution of condoms across Grampian, and ongoing promotion of Sexual Health and Relationships Education (SHARE) in schools. NHS Grampian is also undertaking an HIV needs assessment to shape and inform future services.

The provision of HIV prevention services, and local decisions about the use of funding, are a matter for NHS boards. The role of Government is to ensure that our policy priorities of fewer new blood-borne virus infections and fewer STIs are achieved, and that individual are not adversely affected by any local commissioning decision.

Funding attached to prevention projects that were not specifically delivered through the Terrence Higgins Trust contract continues to be used for HIV prevention services. The funding that had been allocated to the THT contract that was left over following termination of the contract has been allocated to cover the cost of the HIV Needs Assessment that NHS Grampian is now undertaking. This activity includes surveys of patient views on services and patient interviews. The Needs Assessment is expected to report by the autumn this year and will be used to inform ongoing HIV prevention work in the NHS Grampian area.

The provision of HIV prevention services is a matter for local NHS boards. The role of government is to ensure that our policy priorities of fewer new blood-borne virus infections and fewer STIs are achieved, and that individuals are not adversely affected by any local commissioning decision.

NHS Grampian has continued to provide and support a range of prevention activities since the THT contract was terminated. There has been no gap in the provision of HIV prevention services and no gap is expected.

Please see the following information regarding call demand, with both annual and monthly figures.

Age Category information has only been collected since June 2010, and the figures represent the periods June to December 2010, and January to December 2011.

Total call demand represents a percentage increase from 2007 to 2011 of 114%

Monthly Breakdown

Age Group %Interactive calls Age Group