Chamber and committees

Further to the answer given to question S1W-21136, this project will research, through a development worker, the transitional needs of young people (aged 14-25) who have communication impairment and are AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) users and young people who have high-level autism (Asperger's Syndrome). The project will run from October 2001 to March 2004. It has two main aims:to develop a multi-agency and seam-free approach to transition into further education and training for young people with complex needs, andto investigate ways of providing transitional services for these young people who challenge service providers because of:low incidence in a local area;complex and variable individual needs, and the likelihood of extended transitional needs across a number of agencies.A Steering Group, representative of all relevant agencies, will advise the project, take decisions and inform their own sector of implications and developments of the research. Members are:Mary Hitt, Stevenson CollegeRobin Pickard, Moving Into WorkDebbie Jans, KeyCommKitty Mason, City of Edinburgh Education and Social Work DepartmentsSean Bradley, 15:24 Project, Career Development Edinburgh and LothiansAlison Cox, The BRITE Centre, Stevenson CollegeSue Brogan, ResearcherZoe Dunhill, Community Child Health Department Angus Whyte, Stevenson CollegeAnne Edmonstone, Health Trust.

The Chief Medical Officer wrote to all relevant parties in Scotland on 21 December 2001, advising that non-emergency tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies should be postponed. This advice was given following reports of adverse effects associated with single use instruments introduced earlier in the year, and to give time for an audit to be carried out. I understand that the Vale of Leven Hospital has complied with the Chief Medical Officer's advice. The Executive continues to monitor the situation closely and keep the NHS informed of developments.

Guidance has been issued on a number of occasions. These include guidance to prevent the possible iatrogenic transmission of vCJD (MEL(1999)65) and on the decontamination of medical devices (MEL(1999)79 and HDL(2001)10). Copies can be accessed on the internet at Scottish Health on the Web: http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/sehd/hdl.aspThe Deputy Chief Medical Officer wrote to health boards and others in January 2001, announcing the introduction of single use instruments for tonsillectomies. Since then, problems have been reported with diathermy. The Medical Devices Agency in England issued a Hazard Notice on 26 October 2001. In Scotland, a similar notice HAZ(SC)01/04 was issued by Scottish Healthcare Supplies. The Chief Medical Officer issued guidance in December 2001 that diathermy should not be used for tonsil and adenoid surgery until the reported problems had been thoroughly investigated and the aetiology determined.

Further to the answer given to question S1W-21136, £147,409 has been awarded over the period October 2001 to March 2004 to the Stevenson College element of the Career Development Edinburgh and Lothians Inclusiveness project. This project will research the transitional needs of young people (aged 14-25) who have communication impairment and are AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) users and young people who have high-level autism (Asperger's Syndrome). It has two main aims:to develop a multi-agency and seam-free approach to transition into further education and training for these groups of young people, andto investigate ways of providing transitional services for these young people who challenge service providers because of:low incidence in a local area;complex and variable individual needs, and the likelihood of extended transitional needs across a number of agencies.

This information is available at the following web address: http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/isd/complaints/index.htm. This site records complaints against health boards and trusts and provides analysis by category.

The department advised the service in May 2001 that a central supply contract for single use instruments had been established. The contract was negotiated on a UK basis with Scottish Healthcare Supplies, a division of the Common Services Agency, leading for Scottish procurement interests. The Health Department continues to monitor the use of single use instruments closely and keeps the NHSScotland informed of developments.

Postgraduate Education Allowance (PGEA) is designed to encourage general practitioners (GPs) to keep themselves educationally up to date by attending five days accredited training per year. The allowance is paid on a progressive scale reaching a maximum of £2,735 per annum following five successive years (25 days) of training. To maintain the full allowance the GP has to continue attending at least five training days per year. This method of payment encourages the GP to be involved in continuous postgraduate educational training.The current postgraduate education allowance for general medical practitioners (GMPs) is as follows:

Level 1	£545 per annum
Level 2	£1,090 per annum
Level 3	£1,635 per annum
Level 4	£2,180 per annum
Full Allowance	£2,735 per annum

General medical practitioners (GMPs) who qualify for the allowance have to claim for payment each year. The allowance is paid on a yearly basis providing the GMP has attended five days of accredited postgraduate education each year as laid down in the GMP's Statement of Fees and Allowances (SFA).General dental practitioners (GDPs), who satisfy certain conditions, may claim a continuing professional development allowance of up to £1,092 per annum. This amount is subject to abatement, based on the proportion of the GDP's NHS earnings to total earnings.

The Chief Scientist Office has received no approaches to fund research into links between autism and dementia in the last three years but would be pleased to consider funding research proposals into this matter which would be subject to the usual peer group and committee review.

While a number of psychiatrists specialise in the treatment of specific conditions, they will treat patients with a wide range of psychiatric needs. Information is not collected on those who deal only with autism and Asperger's Syndrome, as staff data is classified by main specialty only and does not identify sub-categories of specialty or special interest.The numbers of clinical psychologist who would classify these conditions as their main specialty are small and the data is not collected centrally.However, many more will indicate autistic spectrum disorders among their interests. This reflects the fact that children with autistic spectrum disorders do not enter the service through one service point, nor spend their lives in one service context. They will have a variety of needs over their developmental years, which will bring them into contact with different sections of the services for children, young people and their families.

The Chief Scientist Office has received no approaches to fund research into autism and Asperger's Syndrome in people aged 40 and over, but would be pleased to consider funding research proposals into this matter which would be subject to the usual peer group and committee review.