Chamber and committees

Priority-based dispatch was rolled out across mainland Scotland between 2002 and 2004. This marked a fundamental change to the way in which the Scottish Ambulance Service responded to calls moving from a practice where it dispatched ambulances on a “first come, first served” basis, to one where those patients with immediately life-threatening conditions were responded to more quickly.

In 2004-05 the ambulance service responded to Category A (life threatening) calls in an average of 8.6 minutes across Scotland, which demonstrates that those patients with the greatest need are indeed receiving a faster service. This performance has been achieved against the background of an increase of 10.7% in the number of emergency incidents responded to in the last two years.

Workforce planning determines the number of training places in Scotland required both for the longer term and for the immediate transition to new training arrangements under the initiative Modernising Medical Careers (MMC.) The aim is to ensure that those doctors currently in the system in Scotland have every opportunity to remain here. In determining the detailed transitional arrangements for MMC, we are therefore considering Scotland’s current pool of junior doctors to ensure that these arrangements make best use of the range of selection options which may be available, both for the training posts we have/need and the junior doctors who currently occupy them. Transitional arrangements are critical to avoid gaps in the medical workforce, future medical shortages and also over supply of trainee doctors in relation to available posts.

The fundamental reform of postgraduate medical training, Modernising Medical Careers, has now commenced on a UK-wide basis. New two-year Foundation Programme appointments for graduates have been introduced and will be followed by specialty training programmes to train doctors to a level where they are eligible for appointment as a consultant or general practitioner.

Revenue protection is monitored through a specific franchise management meeting. While First ScotRail are confident that ticketless travel has been reduced further actions have to be taken and there will be a need to evaluate the impact of the revenue protection plan. Progress will be monitored throughout the franchise but revenue information is commercially confidential and changes in revenue can occur for a number of reasons.

In terms of reliability, 99.4% of trains ran on time in the most recent period reported on (24 July to 20 August) compared with 98% in the same period last year.

The costs above cover staff costs, and other related non-staff costs including stationery, training and legal costs. They do not include any overheads, for example accommodation, IT support, and personnel which are provided by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland.

The increases in costs reflect the development of the organisation and growing workload over time. This includes greater emphasis on looking forward at possible future developments and supporting implementation of SMC recommendations across the NHS.

There is a particular commitment to investment at Aberdeen station as this is one of the four major stations requiring significant station improvements. Over £1.124 million has been set aside by First ScotRail for work at Aberdeen Station.

The programme of works is subject to change over time, but information on the improvements planned is set out in the following table. The major works at Aberdeen must be completed by the fifth anniversary of the franchise though the works may be brought forward to take account of a development scheme in the city centre. The investments planned for other stations are over 2005 and 2006.

First ScotRail are currently developing revised on-train ticket checking and selling instructions to create a consistent level of ticket checking in the routes serving the  stations listed. At Aberdeen and Dundee stations First ScotRail are already required to have sufficient fare collecting staff to check each passengers ticket at the station during peak hours. Ticketing barriers will be installed at these stations within the next year and three new revenue management positions have recently been introduced on the Aberdeen-Edinburgh route.