The Arbuthnott Steering Group carried out an extensive review of the data, the methods of analysis and the results in response to the issues raised during consultation on the first report on Fair Shares for All. In particular, the method of taking into account relative deprivation was revised to improve its robustness and transparency and this led to some changes in the assessment of the influence of deprivation on each health board's relative need for resources. In addition, the method of assessing the influence of remoteness has also been strengthened. Other changes include updating the analysis to take account of data for 1997-98 which was not available when the earlier work was carried out.

Although Orkney's share of resources for hospital and community health services and GP prescribing will be reduced under the new formula they will continue to receive a level of funding per head of population during the lifetime of this Parliament that is well above the national average. They will also continue to receive substantial increases in their level of funding which will enable them to develop and improve services for their population. In 2001-02 their funding for hospital and community health services and GP prescribing will go up by 5.5%.

A start will be made in 2001-02 in applying a resource allocation formula to general medical services. In that year, £470,000 of additional money for general medical services will be distributed through the allocation formula recommended in the Final Report of the Arbuthnott Review. Implementation of the new formula will continue in subsequent years.

The formula developed for general medical services takes into account the influence of deprivation and remoteness on the relative need for healthcare resources. By targeting resources on the areas of greatest need, the new formula will help to ensure that major inequalities in health can be tackled. More generally, the substantial increase in resources that we have announced for the NHS in 2001-02 will enable all health boards in Scotland to address the issue of health inequalities.

The Arbuthnott Steering Group carried out an extensive review of the data, the methods of analysis and the results in response to the issues raised during consultation on the first report on Fair Shares for All. In particular, the method of taking into account relative deprivation was revised to improve its robustness and transparency, and this led to some changes in the assessment of the influence of deprivation on each health board's relative need for resources. In addition, the method of assessing the influence of remoteness has also been strengthened. Other changes include updating the analysis to take account of data for 1997-98 which was not available when the earlier work was carried out.

Although Shetland's share of resources for hospital and community health services and GP prescribing will be reduced under the new formula, they will continue to receive a level of funding per head of population during the lifetime of this Parliament that is well above the national average. They will also continue to receive substantial increases in their level of funding which will enable them to develop and improve services for their population. In 2001-02 their funding for hospital and community health services and GP prescribing will go up by 5.5%.

Details of the number of HIV cases to the end of 1999, both new and cumulative, can be obtained from the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) annual report issued in April this year. This can be located at the following web address:

http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/scieh/infectious/aidshiv/aidspdf/annualreport2000.pdf

On 20 August, I announced the priorities for funding from the Scottish allocation of extra tobacco tax revenues. This included a doubling of investment to £2 million a year for the National Health Service in Scotland to help more people quit smoking, targeted at those living on low incomes.

The average cost per patient per week at the State Hospital is £1,346, based on 1998-99 figures.

The report will be published in early December.

Not under current arrangements. This is one of the proposals which the British Dental Association has made to the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration.

The Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration is currently assessing the evidence provided by the UK Health Departments and by the British Dental Association and the General Dental Practitioners Association. The Executive will not anticipate the review body's recommendations.

Proposals for payment in relation to the costs of prevention of cross-infection and the removal of clinical and specialist waste were included in the evidence submitted to the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration by the British Dental Association. The Executive will not anticipate the review body's recommendations.