Chamber and committees

A health visitor, or public health nurse as they are now known, is a qualified and registered nurse or midwife who is specially trained to assess the health needs of individuals, families and the wider community. They aim to promote good health and prevent illness in the community by offering practical help and advice.

The role of a public health nurse involves visiting people in their homes, in particular new parents and children under five, as well as working with other sections of the community. Members of the public can contact health visitors/public health nurses for advice on adopting healthy lifestyles such as smoking cessation. They also provide advice and support to carers and elderly people.

Referral to the health visiting/public health nursing service can be made directly from those wishing to receive the service or by a range of other professionals or agencies such as GPs, social workers or education colleagues. A home visit can be arranged if necessary.

In view of the spread of varroasis within the EU, and the problems that this causes for honey production, the Commission established its Apiculture Programme under EC Regulation 797/2004. The programme aims to improve the production and marketing of apiculture products by funding technical assistance and advice and training to beekeepers on the control of varroasis.

In Scotland the aims of the programme are met by the provision of funds to Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA), currently £17,500, and to the Scottish Agricultural College, £62,000.

The Rural Directorate provides funds to the Scottish Agricultural College to make available general advice and training courses on good husbandry and management practices to ensure the health of honey bees. This includes advice on how to manage varroa in their hives using approved methods and licensed treatments.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11578 on 17 April 2008 which is available on the Parliament''s website, the search for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/sh/search.

Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) provides a diagnostic service to beekeepers who suspect that their hives may be infected by varroa or notifiable bee pests or diseases. This service is funded by the Scottish Government Rural Directorate at a cost of £17,500 per annum.

A further £62,000 per annum is provided to the Scottish Agricultural College to fund a comprehensive advisory, training and education programme for beekeepers, the objective being to improve the knowledge of and standards in bee husbandry in Scotland. Ultimately, the benefit of this funding should lead to improved honey production.

There are no specific circumstances in which a patient should request a visit from a GP. A patient can request a visit if they feel they are unable to attend the practice in person.

A GP is required to make a visit to a patient where in the clinical judgement of the GP the medical condition of the patient warrants attendance at the patient''s home address or it would be inappropriate for the patient to attend the practice premises.

The Cardiac Managed Clinical Networks in each board area are responsible for cardiac rehabilitation programmes in their area and ensuring appropriate access including encouraging participation of groups which historically have tended to be excluded, such as women, older people and those from minority ethnic backgrounds.

The revised CHD and Stroke Strategy due for publication this summer, will take account of key messages from the cardiac rehabilitation campaign being undertaken by the British Heart Foundation Scotland and Chest Heart Stroke Scotland to develop and improve access to services.

The evidence which suggests that people who undergo a step change in their condition, such as unstable angina, new onset angina or heart failure, also benefit from cardiac rehabilitation will be reflected in our refreshed strategy, which is due to be published on a consultative basis in the near future.

We would expect the cardiac MCN in each NHS board area to take the lead in developing suitable programmes.

The Scottish Government awareness raising and active intervention strategies include Breathing Space, a national telephone advice and signposting service for those experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. It is available nationally and free on 0800 83 85 87 and has a related website www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk. While protecting anonymity callers are offered advice and contacts within relevant local care and treatment services. Over 4,000 calls per month are received.

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.

The GP contract provides additional resources to practices to make objective assessments to assess the severity of depression and provide appropriate information or interventions including self-help, lifestyle advice, and other evidence based interventions such as exercise. The pharmacy contract also enables some pharmacists to advise on mental health and wellbeing issues.

New services are developing and being offered across the country to support self-help and other psychological interventions.

Information on the number of falls by elderly patients in each hospital is not held centrally.

Following the work of the Falls Prevention Group, the Scottish Government published guidance last year for health 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.