Chamber and committees

This informationis not held centrally. It is for NHS boards to determine the level of fundingthey provide for services from their general funding allocations, including foralternative and augmentative communication, that best meet the needs of theirlocal communities.

The Minister forPublic Health, Shona Robison, has agreed to meet the Augmentative andAlternative Communication Campaign Group to discuss the issues raised by therecent Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and Capability Scotlandsurvey on alternative and augmentative communication.

The health actionplan will address the needs of all people in Scotland who require information, services and support to ensure they canreceive person-centred care. The action plan will also seek action to developmore opportunities for self care and anticipatory care, and support withcommunication will be part of this.

The Scottish Governmentgathers information through a range of methods including national surveys such asthe Scottish Household Survey and specific research projects.

Our arrangements forgathering information on disability equality were set out in our disability equalityscheme, published in December 2006 and available at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/03/19133143/0.

We will publish ourfirst annual report on the disability equality scheme on 4 December 2007 and this will include an update of action taken to gatherinformation across a range of policy areas.

The Scottish Governmentis committed to equality of opportunity for all. Our work on disability equalityis inclusive of all conditions and impairments. We are currently funding the CommunicationForum Scotland to deliver a projectwhich aims to improve and support civic participation of people with communicationsupport needs in Scotland. A key product of the project will be a toolkitproviding practical advice, guidance and resources to policy makers (across alllevels of government and all public and other sector agencies) supporting effectiveengagement with people with communication support needs in Scotland.

To further considerhow the needs of Scots who require alternative and augmentative communication provision can be addressed, theMinister for Public Health has offered to meet with the Royal College of Speechand Language Therapists.

We are working withrepresentatives of the pig sector to identify appropriate support measures. An optionspaper is being developed and we expect to take decisions soon.

Current work to completedualling of the A90 between Aberdeen and Ellon is anticipated to be completed in2012.

The Strategic TransportProjects Review will examine Scotland’s nationally strategic transport network,including the A90 between Ellon and Peterhead, and report in 2008.

The government expectsthis to identify priorities for this section of the A90.

The rail policy documentScotland’s Railways sets out how we aspire to improve capacity, reliabilityand journey times on the route southwards from Aberdeen. This includes, in the long-term, exploring the possible value of electrificationof this route.

The Strategic TransportProjects Review (STPR) which will report in 2008, will identify a programme of interventionsthat will make a significant contribution towards improved journey times and connections,improving reliability and reducing emissions.

Any potential improvementsto the nationally strategic transport networks in Aberdeenshire will be consideredon their merits within the STPR.

The next round ofmajor investment in the trunk road network will emerge from the Strategic TransportProjects Review, which will examine the longer term needs of Scotland’s nationally strategic transport network and report in2008.

The outcome of therecently completed Aberdeen to Inverness Transport Corridor Study will feed directlyinto this review which will consider future investment priorities.

The government expectsthis to identify priorities for the A96.