Chamber and committees

The number of consultant clinical and medical oncologists employed at each of the Trusts that contain the five Scottish specialist centres is shown in the attached Table 1. The information is given in terms of whole time equivalent at 30 September of each year. Data are not yet available for 30 September 1999, but we are aware that new appointments have been made. The table should be read in conjunction with the notes below.Table 1

		Medical Oncologists				Clinical Oncologists
		1996	1997	1998		1996	1997	1998
Scotland		9.2	8.0	9.5		31.5	31.8	34.5
Totals (5 Trusts)		6.2	5.9	7.2		27.3	29.0	31.7
Aberdeen Royal Hospitals NHS Trust		2.6	2.6	2.6		3.0	3.0	3.0
Dundee Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust		---	---	---		3.0	3.6	4.3
Raigmore Hospital NHS Trust		---	---	---		2.0	2.0	2.0
Western General Hospitals NHS Trust		2.3	2.2	2.6		5.6	6.7	7.8
West Glasgow Hospitals University NHS Trust		1.3	1.1	1.9		13.6	13.6	14.6

Notes:1. Source: Medical and dental census ISD Scotland2. Staffing data are collected once a year.3. The whole time equivalent of an individual is calculated by dividing the number of contracted hours/sessions by the normal conditioned hours.4. Medical oncology data for Raigmore are recorded under clinical oncology.5. No data are available for medical oncology services in Dundee prior to October 1998.6. It is assumed that the medical and clinical oncologists are working at the specialist centre within the Trust.7. The totals for Scotland include oncologists based at other Trusts.Table 2 shows the number of patient episodes per consultant at each centre. The figures in the table were arrived at by adding the number of patient episodes for each centre for medical oncology and for clinical oncology and dividing by the whole time equivalent consultant figures given in Table 1. Patient episodes comprise inpatient, outpatient and day case episodes. The number of patient episodes is not the same as the number of patients, as the number of visits by an individual patient varies according to the type and stage of the disease. The figures do not include outreach patients seen outwith the centre and do not show the total workload per consultant. The table should be read in conjunction with the notes below.Table 2

	Medical Oncology			Clinical Oncology
	1997	1998	1999	1997	1998	1999
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary	2816.9	2803.8	3064.6	1497	1692.6	2228.7
Ninewells Hospital	---	---	---	2761.3	2250	1615.1
Raigmore Hospital	---	---	---	2598	2923	3032.5
Western General Hospital Edinburgh	5343.9	6734.5	5627.3	2621.6	2400.2	2776.9
Western Infirmary, Glasgow	2913.8	3920	5538.4	3116.7	2928.9	1709.9

Notes:1. Staffing data referred to in Table 1 are collected once a year and do not reflect average staffing levels throughout the year to which the patient activity refers. Patient activity data are collected quarterly. Information given is based on figures at 31 March 1997-99. Quarters ending June 1998 to March 1999 are provisional.2. No data are available for medical oncology services in Dundee prior to October 1998.3. Medical oncology data for Raigmore are recorded under clinical oncology.4. Medical oncology outpatient attendances at the Western Infirmary, Glasgow were included in the clinical oncology outpatient attendances for September 1998 and earlier.

Stirling council is free, as any council is, to adopt its own policies, provided they are within the law. We have asked the council to give us a full account of the council's practice in regard to co-option to committees, in relation to the relevant statutory requirements.

For the period 1 April 1996 to 31 January 1999 £672,000 has been spent on routine and structural maintenance on the M9 between Junctions 9 and 11. Prior to April 1996 the M9 was maintained on behalf of the Secretary of State by the former Central Regional Council. Records relating to work undertaken by Central Regional Council for the 2 years prior to 1996 are not readily available.

It is for both Councils to take responsibility for ensuring that any necessary changes to the management of their DLOs are made. Under the terms of the Section 19B Directions, both councils are implementing business plans.

This is a matter for the councils themselves, although the Scottish Executive continues to monitor progress in both councils under the terms of Directions issued under Section 19B of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980.

It is for both Councils to take responsibility for ensuring deficits do not recur. Under the terms of the Section 19B Directions, both councils have tendered a significant proportion of the relevant work to the private sector. North Lanarkshire Council are also developing a number of public/private partnerships. East Ayrshire Council's DLO is undertaking some remaining work subject to robust benchmarking with private sector prices.

I understand that the force has still to estimate the cost of the disciplinary hearing of Inspector John Bunyan, which concluded recently. No other disciplinary hearings are currently in progress.

We are considering the outcome of this consultation in the context of our consideration of the civil justice system generally. This is a complex area and we shall make an announcement as soon as our deliberations are completed.

Payment arrangements are a matter between local authorities and individual suppliers. However, we encourage local authorities to pay their bills promptly.The Accounts Commission publishes annual comparative information on local authorities' performance in making payments within agreed timescales. The Late Payment of Debt (Interest) Act 1998, which gives small businesses the right to claim interest for the late payment of debt from larger companies and public bodies, should also lead local authorities and other agencies to improve their payment practice. Finally, under Best Value, the Scottish Executive is encouraging local authorities to set performance targets for a wide range of services including for the prompt payment of bills.

We have no such plans.