Chamber and committees

The Health Protection Scotland (HPS) subtyping programme is an ongoing survey. Data from the programme was first included in the HPS report Quarterly report on the surveillance of Clostridium difficile associated disease (CDAD) in Scotland, January 2009-March 2009, published on 8 July 2009 and has been included in all HPS reports since then. The HPS quarterly reports can be found at http://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/haiic/sshaip/clostridiumdifficile.aspx#quarter.

More detailed information on the programme will be provided in the HPS annual report on the surveillance of Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) in Scotland, which is due for publication in April 2010. The web link to the HPS annual reports is the same as the one provided above.

The full protocol for the snapshot programme can be found at:

http://www.documents.hps.scot.nhs.uk/hai/sshaip/guidelines/clostridium-difficile/CDAD-snapshot-programme-1-0.pdf.

All NHS boards have implemented the requirements of CEL 30(2008): Prudent Antimicrobial Prescribing: The Scottish Action Plan for Managing Antibiotic Resistance and Reducing Antibiotic Related Clostridium difficile Associated Disease. This, along with many other related healthcare associated infection actions led by the Scottish Government, has resulted in Clostridium difficile cases for the April to June 2009 quarter falling by 42% on the same quarter last year with rates in Scotland now at a record low, almost halving over the previous 12 months.

Antimicrobial pharmacists are specialised senior staff. As part of actions flowing from the Scottish Management of Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan (ScotMARAP), funding has been provided for the recruitment of antimicrobial pharmacists within each NHS board. I understand these pharmacists are now in post in all NHS boards with the exception of Western Isles who obtain antimicrobial advice from NHS Highland.

In response to concerns over anecdotal reports regarding recruitment and retention issues with junior hospital pharmacists, Scottish health boards for the first time took part in the Pharmacy and Establishment Vacancy Survey conducted by the NHS Pharmacy Education and Development Committee on a UK-wide basis. The survey results showed no significant recruitment or retention difficulties for the majority of pharmacist grades. However, a higher level of vacancies were reported at the more junior pharmacist grades. We are currently analysing the survey data for Scotland in detail and will take appropriate steps to address any recruitment or retention issues identified.

The Guidance on Prevention and Control of Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) in Healthcare Settings in Scotland includes advice on the management of outbreaks. The latest version of this guidance was published on the HPS website in September 2009. The revised guidance can be found at http://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/haiic/sshaip/guidelinedetail.aspx?id=42640.

All guidance produced by Health Protection Scotland and relevant supporting materials are published on their website, as and when appropriate.

The Chief Nursing Officer wrote to Health Protection Scotland on 24 November to ask that they develop a compendium of current national guidance on HAI.

The compendium will provide NHS staff with an overview of up to date guidance and provide a first point of reference on necessary actions that should be taken by them for the prevention and control of healthcare associated infection.

We expect the compendium to be published by 31 March 2010.

All NHS boards have processes in place to ensure the implementation of the requirements of CEL 30(2008): Prudent Antimicrobial Prescribing: The Scottish Action Plan For Managing Antibiotic Resistance and Reducing Antibiotic Related Clostridium difficile Associated Disease.

This work is supported by the Scottish Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan (ScotMARAP) programme which is currently being implemented by the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG). ScotMARAP details the national programme for tackling prudent prescribing over the next five years in primary and secondary care.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-29375 on 4 December 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.

NHS boards are currently reviewing the structure and presentation of the HAI reporting template to consider what changes are needed to make the information easier to understand by the public. I expect this review to have concluded by March 2010.

The delivery of mammography services is supported by a multi-disciplinary team including radiologists, radiographers and their support staff. Radiographers who are trained to national standards in screening and reporting work with radiologists to deliver safe and effective screening and timeous reporting for women. NHS boards are responsible for the recruitment and training of the workforce.

All breast screening centres are indicating that two-view screening will be implemented by April 2010.

I have asked the HAI Task Force to urgently review the arrangements in place for notifying the public about outbreaks of Clostridium difficile at its next quarterly meeting of 8 December 2009 and provide me with their recommendations by end December 2009.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-29331 on 3 December 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.