Chamber and committees

Psychological interventions are already an established part of substance misuse services. They are provided by specialists but all staff must have the appropriate knowledge to ensure the right referrals are made. We have commissioned NHS Health Scotland to develop a substance misuse workforce development strategy which will be published in Spring 2009.

In addition, NHS Education for Scotland has been actively contributing to building capability within the workforce, including the creation of psychological therapies training co-ordinator posts within each NHS board area to support the development of psychological therapies across all patient groups, including substance misuse services.

The government has made clear that it is not anti-alcohol. However, Scotland''s relationship with alcohol is out of kilter and we need to rebalance it and that means adopting an innovative and imaginative approach to addressing the problem.

Our consultation paper specifically sought views on the criteria that should be applied in determining which types of premises should be subject to any such arrangements. Proposals arising from Changing Scotland''s Relationship with Alcohol “ a discussion paper on our strategic approach will be published early in 2009.

The government has made clear that is it not anti-alcohol and we are proud of our distillers and the premium products they make. Issues concerning the promotion of alcohol and potential measures under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 are being considered in light of the responses to the Scottish Government''s consultation Changing Scotland''s Relationship with Alcohol, but we are clear that we do not propose to ban promotions that explain the method of production, history and heritage of Scotland''s quality products. We have already given the Scotch Whisky Association an assurance that we will discuss these matters with them before proposing any regulatory action to end the irresponsible promotion of alcohol. We have also made clear that there is no question that distilleries will be prevented from offering drams as part of a distillery tour.

In respect of displays at trade fairs and exhibitions, the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, which comes fully into force on 1 September 2009, requires that alcohol cannot be sold except under and in accordance with a premises licence, or an occasional licence. We would envisage occasional licences being used in most cases for alcohol sales at exhibitions and trade fairs.

The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 does not exempt distillery visitor centres and whisky shops from the requirements of the act.

Wider issues concerning the promotion of alcohol and potential measures under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 are being considered in light of the responses to the Scottish Government''s consultation Changing Scotland''s Relationship with Alcohol, but we are clear that we do not propose to ban promotions that explain the method of production, history and heritage of Scotland''s quality products. We have already given the Scotch Whisky Association an assurance that we will discuss these matters with them before proposing any regulatory action to end the irresponsible promotion of alcohol. I also gave an assurance, when I met the Scotch Whisky Association and toured Dewar''s World of Whisky on 21 July 2008, that our proposals will not prevent drams being provided as part of distillery tours.

This information is not held centrally. NHS boards would be able to provide the member with information on how many admissions they have from care homes over the period requested. This would include those screened for MRSA. Testing for Clostridium difficile would only be carried out on admission if the person was symptomatic.

A national MRSA screening programme is, however, being piloted in 2008-09 to screen all patients admitted to hospital, including those referred by care homes.

I refer you to a letter sent by Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Public Health, to the Health and Sport Committee in October 2008 on Inquiry into Health Inequalities. Annex B explains the rollout of Counterweight in each health board area.

There is no minimum age in Scotland in terms of legal capacity to consent to medical treatment.

The Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act 1991 assigns various legal rights to young people including the legal capacity to consent to surgical, medical or dental procedure or treatment, should a medical doctor deem that they have capacity to do so.

In terms of sexual health services, professionals will always encourage young people to involve their parents/carers or someone they can trust in decisions which they are facing.

Health professionals will also make clear to young people under 16 that if any issue raised by the young person during a consultation highlights child protection concerns then these concerns will be reported through the relevant reporting mechanisms.

Pre-immunisation talks are held in schools prior to immunisation. Girls will have an opportunity to ask questions during or following these sessions.

The leaflets issued advise girls and their parents/carers to speak with the nurse or doctor if they wish more information.

Girls and their parents/carers are also signposted to the HPV public information website and the NHS 24 helpline number if they wish further information.

The UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is an independent committee of medical and scientific experts who make recommendations to both the UK Government and devolved administrations on all immunisation issues. The JCVI arranged an independent peer review of the cost benefit analysis which found this to be the most cost effective approach. In addition research has shown that both girls and parents generally find this setting more acceptable.

The vaccine is safe for girls whose immune systems may not be fully functioning because of long-term conditions or medication, but it may not work as effectively for them.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), who are responsible for the safety of medicines available on the UK market, are not aware of any specific risks to diabetic patients.