Chamber and committees

The information presented in the answer to question S3W-21586 was extracted after the February update to the national file when initial December 2008 data had become available. These 2008 data are provisional.

As stated in the questions S3W-21983 and S3W-21984, SMR01 data returns relating to the private sector are known to be significantly incomplete. In July 2008 NHS boards were asked to ensure submission of complete and accurate data. In addition the ISD data return relating to the private health care includes independent hospitals, hospices and care homes run by local authorities and charities.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21983 on 27 March 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.

More specifically, as part of our international development programme maternal and neonatal health is an area which the Government of Malawi has highlighted as a priority for Scottish Government support. We have continued our support for this important area, working with key stakeholders in Malawi and Scotland, and in January this year we announced further funding for projects which will work to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.

The following table details the number of clinical negligence cases that settled in 2007-08 together with the sums paid out in those settlements.

60 NHS continuing care beds staffed by the NHS;

60 care home beds;

16 very sheltered housing units, and

eight disabled housing units.

Negotiations with the bidder continue and, assuming these are concluded, it is expected that new NHS facilities will be available early, in 2012.

The involvement of a bereavement counsellor may be suggested and relatives may be referred to an appropriate voluntary sector organisation.

NHS Quality Improvement Scotland also oversees the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Health in Scotland. This enquiry is conducted by a multidisciplinary committee of health professionals and examines all maternal deaths in Scotland. The committee reaches a consensus as to the cause of death and a view is taken about the standard of care provided and recommendations are made for practice where appropriate. This information contributes to the UK Confidential Enquiry which produces the triennial report Saving Mothers Lives under the auspices of the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health.

Measures with recommended standards to render childbirth as safe as possible for both mothers and babies are contained in guidance from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives.

http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data/vital-events/index.html.

Births, Marriages and Deaths - Preliminary Annual Tables for 2008 (published 12 March 2009):

http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data/preliminary-return/index.html.

(a) Maternal fatalities. The numbers of women''s deaths for which the cause was pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium are shown in the Vital Events Reference Table 6.1 (1997 to 2007) and in Births, Marriages and Deaths - Preliminary Annual Table P4 (figures for 2005 to 2008).

(b) Neonatal fatalities. The numbers of live births, neonatal deaths (deaths in the first four weeks of life) and the neonatal death rate per 1,000 live births are shown in Vital Events Reference Table 1.2 (figures for 1996 to 2007) and Births, Marriages and Deaths - Preliminary Annual Table P2 (figures for 2008).

Table 1: Total Population, Local Authority Staff and Ratio of Staff to Total Population by Local Authority

Source:(a) General Register Office for Scotland Mid Year Population Estimates (June 2007). (b) Scottish Government Joint Staffing Watch Survey Quarter 3 2008 (September 2008).

ISD continues to work with the Scottish Government, NHS boards, and independent health care providers to improve the quality of this data, and ensure high levels of completion. It is intended that this information should be published on a regular basis, when the data is of sufficient quality and completeness.

Apparent increases in independent sector activity in some health boards to the year ending 31 December 2008 can be attributed to (a) improvement in the collection of these data in recent months, particularly at independent locations other than private hospitals (e.g. private nursing homes; hospices; homes run by local authorities or charities), and (b) the opening of the Scottish Regional Treatment Centre at Stracathro Hospital in 2006. However, as submission levels are believed to vary by location and over time, the figures should be considered of limited use and should be interpreted with caution.

Table

NHSScotland In-Patient and Day Case Episodes - Numbers of Records that have been Submitted for Private Health Care¹ in Scotland; by NHS Board of Residence; Year Ending 31 December²

Source: ISD Scotland [Form SMR01] Date: 5 March 2009.

Notes:

1. Comprises the following: private hospitals; private nursing homes; hospices; other independent providers (including homes run by local authorities or charities).

2. It is emphasised that the figures shown are based on incomplete returns. Submission levels are believed to vary by location and over time. For this reason, the figures will be of limited use and should be treated with caution.