Chamber and committees

I have asked the Scottish Funding Council to develop a simplified and needs-based approach to funding. The SFC is working closely with the college sector to agree the model and its implementation.

The funding of individual colleges and universities is a matter for the Scottish Funding Council, and I have asked its chief executive to write to the member.

Funding for the treatment time guarantee was part of the £230 million made available to NHS boards for the 18 weeks referral to treatment time target. This funding covered the period 2008-09 to 20010-11. This was made clear in the Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill Financial Memorandum placed in the Parliament on 17 March 2010. This funding is now reflected as part of NHS boards allocations.

In the current year NHS boards plan to make available £67 million to increase capacity. This is being used to recruit around 420 more doctors, nurses and support staff as well increasing theatre capacity. This investment will ensure patients are seen and treated quickly.

Action for Jobs - Supporting Young Scots into Work: Scotland's Youth Employment Strategy provides an overview of the government's all-Scotland, all-government approach to harnessing and supporting the national effort required to increase youth employment through a strategic approach which builds on the knowledge, experience and commitment of others.

The funding for the Employability Fund is drawn from two budget lines, Skills Development Scotland’s core funding; and the Scottish Funding Council’s Further Education Programme budget.

I refer the member to the answer to the health portfolio question S4O-02539 on 6 November 2013. All answers to oral parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=8604, community pharmacies.

The next stage of the review will involve consultation on a range of complex and important issues that have been identified, which I aim to get underway in the coming weeks.

Opportunities for All is an explicit commitment to offer a place in learning or training to every 16-19 year old who is not currently in employment, education or training.

Young people will be guaranteed an offer of appropriate opportunities within the post-16 learning system. This includes, but is not limited to, staying on at school, undertaking a course of higher or further education, being in work or a modern apprenticeship or any pre-employment training or third sector provision. It also takes account of young people undertaking mandated training as part of the DWP work programme as these young people will not be free to undertake another course of training or learning.

Through Opportunities for All we aim to re-engage those young people who are not already participating in education, training or employment by offering a range of targeted support primarily through Skills Development Scotland.

Everyone who is registered, uses NHS services, has a personal interest in a patients’ health care, or is involved in the design and delivery of NHS services is exercising their rights under the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011.

The Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities available at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Policy/Patients-Rights/Patients-Rights-Charter summarises existing rights and responsibilities as well as what can be expected by patients when they use the NHS services and receive NHS care in Scotland.

During my recent visit to the Gulf region I spoke about human rights and participative democracy in line with the principles of the Scottish Government’s International Framework. The planned elections for the Consultative Assembly of Qatar were not discussed.

As human rights are an important focus for the Scottish Government, I received a briefing from Amnesty International on the situation in Qatar before I travelled to the region. I did not receive a briefing from, nor was I contacted by, Reprieve before my visit.