Chamber and committees

While the choice of method of medicines distribution is a commercial decision by the individual pharmaceutical company, the Scottish Government expects patients to continue to receive the medicines they need promptly.

We are aware that Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) has been collecting information from community pharmacists about supply difficulties. We understand from CPS that this information contains details of difficulties with supply but no clinical details about individual patients or the effect on their treatment.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-29998 on 15 January 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Scottish ministers support the introduction of any innovation that has the potential to save lives. Product safety matters are reserved to Westminster and the introduction of reduced ignition propensity (RIP) cigarettes must be done within the European legal framework. There is currently no European standard for this product type. However, on 29 November 2007, EU member states endorsed the European Commission''s plan to draw up a standard. The European Standards Body (CEN) is now working to develop a harmonised standard. Although Scottish ministers would support the early introduction of RIP cigarettes, no action can be taken until CEN produces this standard. I have written to Mr Shahid Malik MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Communities and Local Government, offering the support of the Scottish Government to ensure that manufacturers are required to meet this new standard as soon as possible. Scottish Government officials have also been working with the chief fire and rescue adviser to the Westminster Government and have been invited to comment on a draft ISO standard for testing these products to ensure that they self extinguish.

Maternity and Neonatal Units have explicit guidelines surrounding the occurrence of stillbirths, neonatal deaths and maternal deaths. There is a range of appropriate specified investigations, including a post mortem examination, to try to identify a cause for the death, however, no investigation is undertaken without parental consent unless the procurator fiscal is involved. When a maternal death occurs the procurator fiscal is always involved. NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) has produced standards on the management of post mortem examinations.

Work is in the planning stages of a proposal to survey international coding systems, and seek agreement from the clinical community to change our current coding and classification systems, to take cognisance of improvements in placental pathology and improved coding systems in other countries. A new coding system is expected to be in operation for 2011.

The Scottish Morbidity and Mortality Research Action Group supports and endorses the continuing value of post mortem examinations. They allow greater understanding of the causes of death which may have implications for preventative strategies.

Work is in the planning stages of a proposal to survey international coding systems, and seek agreement from the clinical community to change our current coding and classification systems, to take cognisance of improvements in placental pathology and improved coding systems in other countries. A new coding system is expected to be in operation for 2011.

Scottish Government guidance on managing consultations makes clear that consultees should normally receive feedback on a consultation within a similar length of time to the period within which consultees were themselves asked to respond.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28659, on 17 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The Scottish Government Gaelic language plan was approved in principal by B²rd na G idhlig on the 25 August. The b²rd have asked for some clarity on a few points and work is ongoing to address these issues. During the consultation period on the draft plan a total of 48 responses were received. These were, in the main, greatly supportive of the work that was being undertaken by the Scottish Government and other public bodies on behalf of Gaelic. These respondents were pleased with the lay-out, contents and the general level of commitment expressed across the main areas of the Gaelic plan relating to corporate identity, communications, publications and staffing. All responses were analysed separately by officials from the Analysis and Evaluation Support Unit and are available at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ArtsCultureSport/arts/gaelic/gaelic-English/Consultation.

In addition, the analysis and copies of the responses from those consultees who wished their responses to be made public are available at the Scottish Government Library, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh. There were a number of consultation suggestions accepted which strengthened the Gaelic plan, highlighted work that was ongoing across Directorates that had not been included previously and also tightened the language in parts to focus on delivery and timescales. Once the Scottish Government Gaelic language plan has been finalised and approved by B²rd na G idhlig it will be available on our website.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28659, on 17 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.