There has been a steady increase in the incidence of methycillin-resistant staphillococus aureus (MRSA) infections across the UK in recent years. As part of the Executive's drive to address healthcare-associated infection (HAI), the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) monitors the incidence of MRSA bacteraemia infections (blood poisoning) in Scottish hospitals. Results have been published for each six-month period since April 2001. The latest three sets of results show no significant change in the rate of these MRSA infections. The incidence of MRSA reflects the complex interaction of a number of factors. MRSA exists in the community as well as in hospitals. Tackling healthcare associated infection, including MRSA, is an important priority for the NHS. I expect the service to continue to tackle HAI through a mix of prudent antibiotic prescribing, good hygiene and effective infection control procedures.

There is currently no test for the screening of blood donation for vCJD. Several international groups of research workers are working to try to develop a blood test, but it is currently unclear whether this will be possible and, if so what the time frame is likely to be.I would also refer you to the answer given to your question S1W-32184 on 13 December 2002. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.

There are no fees specific to homeopathic treatment payable within the NHS. The clinicians who provide homeopathic services are remunerated on the same basis as they would be for conventional treatment. Homeopathic practitioners outwith the NHS, including veterinary surgeons, set their own fees.

The Executive has not commissioned any such market research, and has not been made aware of any recent poll on the subject. There is no barrier to the provision of complementary medicine through the NHS in Scotland. Decisions on whether to provide any particular form of complementary medicine are for NHS boards to make, based on their assessment of local needs.

The Department of Health maintains a National Research Register with details of all on-going and recent medical research, including research into complementary medicine. This is available on regularly updated CD-ROM in the Parliament's Reference Centre and online at:http://www.update-software.com/nrr/CLIBINET.EXE?A=1&U=1001&P=10001.

The Scottish Executive is not aware of any research into links between flu vaccines containing thiomersal (also referred to as thimerosal) and Alzheimer's disease.

The regulation and safety of medicines is reserved and is the responsibility of the Medicines Control Agency (MCA).The MCA has advised that diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine, with the exception of those containing acellular pertussis component; diphtheria and tetanus vaccines (DT/dT); tetanus vaccines (T); single hepatitis B vaccines; some hepatitis B combination products, and some influenza vaccines contain thiomersal (also referred to as thimerosal) as an excipient or use it in the manufacturing process.

The Arbuthnott formula uses information about unemployment rates, the proportion of older people on income support, households with multiple indicators of deprivation and mortality rates among people under 65 as indicators of relative deprivation. This information, together with information about the age structure of the population and remoteness is used to determine the allocation of resources between NHS boards. It is of course the responsibility of NHS boards to ensure that the resources made available to them through this formula are then used to address the health care needs of their populations, including people living in relatively deprived areas.

Record of Achievement reports in full on progress on all the commitments in the two complimentary Programme for Government documents (Making it Work Together and Working together for Scotland). It is open and transparent acknowledging successes as well as slower progress. NHS 24 is referred to on pages 52 and 54 reflecting that this commitment featured in both of the Programme for Government documents. The provision of free personal care is featured on pages 54 and 55 reflecting that this policy has contributed significantly to the achievement of two separate Programme for Government commitments.

Guidance on Family Friendly Policies was prepared in partnership with the service, trade unions and the professions, and published in January 2000. It is intended to review the guidance later this year. The guidance underpins the Staff Governance Standard and all NHS Scotland Employers are required to meet or exceed it. Employers' progress towards meeting the guidance will be part of the annual Staff Governance Standard audit process.