Chamber and committees

We support the efforts of local authorities who, under the Coast Protection Act 1949, may take any measures they consider necessary or expedient to protect any land in their area from coastal erosion.

In our statement on 12 January 2011, we set out the Scottish Government''s ambitions for improving the performance, local accountability and financial sustainability of Scotland''s fire and rescue services.

I understand that Fife Fire and Rescue Service is now facing cuts in its funding which may have an impact on frontline delivery this year.

Operational decisions are a matter for individual fire authorities. However, this situation clearly demonstrates why the Scottish Government is about to consult on options for structural reform of the Fire and Rescue Services. Only by doing so will we ensure that the frontline services that are of importance to the public in Fife, and throughout Scotland, are protected.

The information requested is not available centrally due to the number and complexity of both core and non-core sites, as indicated in the response to S3W-38462 on 20 January 2011. It should be noted that many emergency departments work in local and regional networks to ensure that there is sufficient capacity to address demand in unscheduled admissions. As such, emergency departments may close to admissions for short periods with relevant referrals directed to a nearby facility. NHS boards have established and robust protocols in place for such activity which is largely linked to increased demand for the service, as opposed to a shortage of appropriate staff. NHS boards also have effective strategic plans in place to ensure that services are appropriately staffed and remain fit for purpose.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38463 on 20 January 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

ISD Scotland has historically classified Emergency Departments as either core or non-core sites. Core sites include all Emergency Departments within large hospitals. It is important to note that, according to this classification, some core sites are large minor injuries units, such as the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. Non-core sites include minor injuries units, small hospitals with paper-based administration systems and health centres in rural areas that carry out Emergency Department related activity. ISD Scotland has confirmed that there are 37 core Emergency Departments in Scotland, and 59 non-core Emergency Departments.

My officials are in regular contact with NHS Fife and Fife Council to assist them in making immediate reductions in the current levels of delayed discharges. I have made it clear to the partnership that the recent increase in delayed discharges is not acceptable.

The Joint Improvement Team has re-engaged with NHS Fife and Fife Council, having previously supported the partnership to deliver the zero target in April 2008, a level the partnership sustained until recently.

Ministers are in regular contact with all NHS boards. I recently met with the Chair of NHS Fife and we discussed the current delayed discharge situation. We are both clear that the current position is not good enough and NHS Fife is working closely with Fife Council, and with the help of the Joint Improvement Team, to resolve this.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-37947 on 8 December 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-37947 on 8 December 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

In early 2009, as Chair of the Public Procurement Reform Board, I wrote to chief executives and heads of procurement of Scottish public bodies expressing my expectation that all Scottish public bodies follow specific steps to promote small to medium enterprise (SME) involvement in public procurement processes (Bib. number 52114 for the relevant Scottish Procurement Policy note “ Six Simple Steps). This included the adoption of the Government''s Suppliers Charter (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Procurement/Selling/Supplierscharter2) and the use of the Public Contracts Scotland advertising portal (http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/). The Scottish Government continues to monitor spend across the public sector with SMEs.

In terms of carbon footprint criteria, the Scottish Government''s Scottish Sustainable Procurement Action Plan (Bib. number 52113), published in October 2009, recommends that full and appropriate consideration should be given to the carbon impact of public sector procurement and that this should be achieved by building carbon-efficient outcomes into the contract specifications at the outset of the procurement process.