Chamber and committees

Funding has been made available to increase the total funded student places by 40 with the addition of two new courses, one at Edinburgh and one at Dundee. Additional funding is planned for 2002-03 dependant on decisions on a joint hygienist/therapist course, which, once established, would fulfil the target for an additional 50 funded places. I also refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21870.

In the last 12 months, 213 dental nurses qualified in Scotland. Training of dental nurses is in transition and during 2002-04 all training will be transferred to a new Scottish Vocational Qualification system linked to colleges of further education or training organisations. It is planned that the present output will be maintained during this transition.We are currently working with the relevant organisations to establish an appropriate structure to deliver on the target for basic training for dental technicians.

Ten additional vocational training places have been funded and five additional professional training posts are available.

On 8 January 2002, I announced details of the new National Waiting Times Unit. I have asked the unit to assess existing capacity in NHSScotland and spare capacity in the independent healthcare sector. It will then work with NHSScotland and independent providers to ensure that better and more efficient use is made of these resources for the benefit of NHS patients across Scotland, ensuring that the utilisation of private hospitals does not adversely impact on the provision of NHS care.

I announced details of the National Waiting Times Unit on 8 January 2002. I have asked the unit to assess existing capacity in NHSScotland and spare capacity in the independent healthcare sector. It will then work with NHSScotland and independent providers to ensure that better and more efficient use is made of these resources for the benefit of NHS patients across Scotland, ensuring that the utilisation of private hospitals does not adversely impact on the provision of NHS care.

The additional resources for delayed discharge will be aimed at reducing delays across NHSScotland and not tied to particular specialities.

It is the view of the Scottish Executive that the procedure for appointment of teachers to Catholic schools under section 21 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 does not breach the European Convention of Human Rights. However, decisions on compliance of the actions of individual schools with the convention are a matter for the courts.

Our National Plan commits to increase the use of patient-held records and, by April 2003, to pilot and evaluate patient-held smart cards in areas where they will be most likely to promote patient involvement and better co-ordination of care.Options for such a pilot are currently under consideration and will be announced as soon as possible.

The report of a pre-consultation exercise on the effectiveness of the Patients' Charter was published in May 2000. Subsequently, the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland (CSBS) was asked to develop its patient care or "generic" standards. As stated in Patient Focus and Public Involvement, the Scottish Consumer Council (SCC) has now been commissioned to work with the CSBS and local health councils to develop a more comprehensive replacement for the Charter that will incorporate:a guide to the NHS;standards focusing on patient entitlements, based on the CSBS generic standards;the responsibilities of patients using the NHS, andinformation about medical records, legal rights, and the complaints procedure.The SCC will involve the public in the development of this package and consider the scope of any further public consultation.

The timetable and terms of reference for the review of the management of waiting lists in NHSScotland is currently being discussed with the Auditor General for Scotland. Details will be announced in due course.