Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government currently fund a number of voluntary organisations which focus on HIV. This helps us to deliver the aims of Respect and Responsibility, our sexual health strategy, through the delivery of HIV prevention work. NHS boards across Scotland also undertake work locally on HIV prevention funded through the Scottish Government''s blood borne virus funding.

In addition we have begun preparations for a public awareness campaign and increased public information as part of our aims to improve attitudes to relationships and sexual health, this will include information on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11567 on 18 April 2008 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/webapp/wa.search.

Accident and emergency departments are designed to provide immediate emergency care on a 24-hour a day basis for people who show the symptoms of serious illness or who have suffered a significant injury. Where a serious or life threatening situation is thought to exist, patients or members of the public should call the 999 emergency ambulance service so that an emergency ambulance can be sent to the patient''s location. Ambulance paramedic staff will assess whether the patient needs to be taken to an accident and emergency department or can appropriately be treated at the scene.

Patients can also choose to attend personally at accident and emergency departments and will receive treatment where this is necessary. However, patients should not attend accident and emergency departments for conditions or injuries that are not thought to be serious or significant. Using accident and emergency facilities only where urgent treatment is required means that these services will be able to provide rapid support and treatment to patients who most need it.

Many NHS boards will also have minor injuries clinics or community casualty units. In general these are available during extended hours but not 24 hours a day. As their titles imply, patients should attend these units for emergency treatment for less serious illnesses or injuries such as sprains, grazes or minor burns.

The new proposals around extended hours are for pre-booked appointments.

Depending on the actual range of services being offered by each GP practice, patients can expect to book appointments in the extended hours period as they would during normal core hours.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11567 on 18 April 2008. 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/webapp/wa.search.

With respect to services for people suffering from depression, the Scottish Government''s awareness raising and active intervention strategies in this area include Breathing Space, a national telephone advice and signposting service for those experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. Free and confidential, it is available nationally on 0800 83 85 87 and has a related website www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk The service receives over 4,000 calls per month. Planning is also at an advanced stage on establishing a pilot for a new telephone advice line, NHS Living Life to widen access to online and telephone based supports for those in need. This is of particular, but not exclusive, interest for remote and rural communities.

In addition, innovative web sites have been developed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Forth Valley respectively: www.livinglifetothefull.com and www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk

For people suffering from drug or alcohol addictions, the web-based National Directory of Drug Services in Scotland provides details of every treatment and rehabilitation facility in Scotland. The directory can be found at www.scottishdrugservices.com. The Scottish Government is also funding SMART Recovery therapy in Inverness for released prisoners with drug problems. This pilot links prisoners up via an innovative secure computer system called distance therapy which uses SMS texting and/or hand held devices to provide a more holistic, integrated and cost effective through care plan.

It is expected that delivery of Counterweight in those health boards where it is not already in place will commence within 2008.

Counterweight was made available in Lothian, Lanarkshire and Tayside Health Boards as part of Keep Well Wave 1. Contracts to deliver Counterweight in the Keep Well Wave 2 (Fife, Grampian and Ayrshire and Arran) commenced from April 2008. Discussion to roll out Counterweight in the remaining health boards are on-going.

Glasgow has not adopted Counterweight as they have a locally developed adult weight management programme in place.

Good quality, accessible palliative and end of life care is fundamental to those living with and dying from any advanced, progressive or incurable disease, and for their carers. An action plan will be published this year which will ensure a consistent approach in the provision of these services across all NHS boards, reflecting best practice. NHS Quality Improvement Scotland and the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care have produced standards regarding care in the NHS and the independent sector. Monitoring of individual care plans takes place within the context of these standards, and other guidance produced by professional bodies and is a matter for NHS boards and those organisations providing palliative and end of life care.

The information requested is not available centrally.

Following the work of the falls prevention group, the Scottish Government published guidance earlier this year for NHS boards, community health partnerships and others on actions to prevent falls by older people and improve bone health. The guidance is available on the Scottish Government website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/care/OlderPeopleCare/fallsgroup.

Research evidence indicates that up to 30% of falls amongst community-based older people could be prevented through comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment.

The Scottish Government is preparing a strategy for Scotland which will be issued in the near future to interested parties for comment and discussion.