Chamber and committees

ISD routinely engages with NHS boards on the issue of data submission to the National Waiting Times Data Warehouse (New Ways) and data quality including data items relating to the number of patients removed from a waiting list.

All NHS boards are required to agree their data prior to each quarterly publication with an assurance that the published data reflects the accurate local position. This routine process involves seeking clarification from NHS boards that statistics that appear to be higher or lower than expected are accurate. This involves ISD’s statisticians corresponding with each board. Through this process any significant data quality issues fed back to NHS boards are highlighted in the publication.

The Scottish Government’s aim is to use the Reducing Reoffending Change Fund to help secure a significant improvement in the way services targeted at reducing reoffending are funded, commissioned and sustained. The government has been working with a stakeholder group, including COSLA and ADSW, to consider how the change fund could most effectively be used to support the desired shift to a more preventative and sustainable way of funding services to reduce reoffending. Plans for deploying the change fund will be announced before the summer recess.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

The SPS aims to ensure children and families visiting prisons are treated with dignity and respect. We are currently reviewing our Good Practice Guidelines for Children and Families as part of the development of a new Family Policy.

HMP Glenochil together with partner agencies keeps support for families and visitors under continuous review. It appointed a full time Family Contact Officer in 2011. It is also currently considering plans to reconfigure the existing waiting areas to improve access to external agencies for families whilst they visit and to improve facilities for children.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

SPS has recently commenced a review of the role of the Personal Officer across the prison estate which will inform the nature, scope, job description and training requirements for the role. This is currently at an early stage and we are in the process of gathering data from all prisons to inform the review.

All prisoners in HMP Glenochil do however have an assigned Personal Officer.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

Whilst the recommendation will be kept under review HMP Glenochil has decided not to offer an SVQ for prisoners who work in the laundry and is focussing on expanding the range of qualifications available elsewhere within the prison. In 2011-12 HMP Glenochil delivered 1621 qualifications including 121 at SCQF Level 5 for prisoners in painting and decorating, hairdressing, cleaning (bio hazard) and cleaning (training) to British Institute of Cleaning Sciences standard.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

In regards to the role of the Personal Officer, SPS has recently commenced a review of their role across the prison estate which will inform the nature, scope, job description and training requirements for the role. This is currently at an early stage and we are in the process of gathering data from all prisons to inform the review.

In regards to Lifer Liaison and Lifer Contact Officers comprehensive training was provided for HMP Glenochil post holders in April which covered their roles, the early release and parole process, Integrated Case Management and risk management and progression. All Lifer Liaison and Lifer Contact Officers also attend quarterly forums and have access to a shared intranet site, both of which allow post holders to share best practice and to keep up to date with information relating to the management of prisoners and the parole process. It is also to ensure that there is effective communication on issues that affect both the SPS and external partners.

As I stated in my answer to your question S4W-06383 I have asked the Scottish Workforce and Staff Governance (SWAG) committee to reconsider the issue of a whistleblowing helpline. The SWAG Committee next meet on 13 July 2012 and this issue will be on the agenda for discussion.

The Scottish TB Action Plan, which was published in March 2011, recommended that the Scottish Health Protection Network should review the output of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) initiative to develop guidance aimed at reducing the transmission of TB among hard-to-reach groups, and to consider its applicability in Scotland. This work is ongoing.

Multidisciplinary teams/local services were advised at that time that they should be aware of those groups in their area which were considered to be most difficult to reach, and to design approaches to improve ways of reaching them.

Scottish Government officials have recently undertaken a review of the progress being made on the action plan recommendations by each of the Scottish NHS boards, and an annual report will be published later this year to summarise this.

We are currently exploring options to allow those optometrists recognised as prescribers to be able to prescribe under the NHS. Information will be issued to NHS boards and optometrists about this as soon as possible.