Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guidelines are derived from a systematic review of the scientific literature and are designed to accelerate the translation of new knowledge into action to meet the aim of reducing variations in practice, and improving outcomes. The range of evidence considered in the production of any particular guideline is based on the scope of the guideline and discussions with the multi-disciplinary guideline development group. SIGN would consider evidence for psychological therapies, where relevant, in the production of any particular guideline based on the scope of the guideline and discussions with the multi-disciplinary guideline development group. There have been no discussions between the Scottish Government and SIGN on this matter.

Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guidelines are derived from a systematic review of the scientific literature and are designed to accelerate the translation of new knowledge into action to meet the aim of reducing variations in practice, and improving outcomes. The range of evidence considered in the production of any particular guideline is based on the scope of the guideline and discussions with the multidisciplinary guideline development group. There have been no discussions between the Scottish Government and SIGN on this matter.

The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) would consider evidence for psychological therapies, where relevant, in the production of any particular guideline based on the scope of the guideline and discussions with the multi-disciplinary guideline development group.

There are currently no plans to meet with the Chinese Consul General, Mr Pan, however, the Scottish Government is aware of animal welfare concerns surrounding certain practices in China, including the Yulin festival practiced by those that believe that eating dog meat on midsummers day brings health benefits.

It is important to note that the Scottish Government takes the welfare of all animals very seriously and routinely feeds into deliberations on animal welfare at both the EU and OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) level via Defra. However, when dealing with another countries practices, there must always be an element of caution in making judgements about the customs in other countries and sensitivity in bringing about change. It is evident from media stories on this topic that there is an increasing proportion of the population within China that no longer support the practice of eating dog meat. The most appropriate way for external parties to improve dog welfare in China is to work with sympathetic organisations within China to help bring about further change. This is a strategy used by many Scottish and UK animal welfare charities with international concerns and indeed by the Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education, established at the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in 2011, which is closely partnered with a number of international animal welfare charities and veterinary organisations.

The Scottish Government has not held discussions with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) on this consultation.

We have sent a letter to the MCA outlining our response to the consultation and will publish this as part of the material prepared for the second conference we are hosting on this matter on 13 August 2014. The MCA will also be publishing an analysis of responses in due course.

Further modelling work is to be completed to assess the likely impact on Glasgow Prestwick Airport’s business growth opportunities of a reduction or abolition of Air Passenger Duty, and on possible route development support mechanisms as a result of revised EU guidance.

We will subsequently publish a document within the next couple of months (summer 2014), setting out a strategic vision for the long term future of the airport, our plans for investment, business development and the optimum operating structure required to take the airport forward.

Patient and Clinician Engagement now forms part of the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) evaluation process. Submissions from pharmaceutical companies received by SMC after noon on 7 April 2014 are eligible for this new approach, in line with what was set out in the Task and Finish Group report provided to me and published by the Health and Sport Committee. The first decisions from this new process are expected in Autumn 2014.

Data for hospital treated self-harm is collected by Information Services Division (ISD), NHS National Services Scotland. Incidents of intentional self-harm in Scotland are recorded in two main datasets:

1. Acute hospital inpatient/day case discharge records collated by ISD.

2. Death registration records collated by National Records of Scotland (NRS)

Acute hospital inpatient/day case discharge records

ISD does not produce analyses of hospital-treated self-harm incidents because of concerns raised by quality assurance work about the comparability and consistency of the diagnosis data for self-harm between hospitals across Scotland. It is the view of ISD that the data on discharges with a diagnosis of intentional self-harm are not robust enough to answer this question.

Deaths as a result of intentional self-harm

Table 1: Deaths from intentional self-harm registered in Scotland by NHS Board, calendar years 2011 and 2012.

Intentional self-harm deaths are defined using the following International Classification of Disease (ICD10) codes as the main cause of death - X60-84, Y87.0

Note that these data do not include any deaths coded as being of undetermined intent (i.e. those which may be accidentally or purposely inflicted).

The above information on deaths as a result of intentional self-harm presented by NHS board for calendar years 2012 and 2011 can be found on the NRS website in table 6.3 at the following links: a) 2012:

http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files2/stats/ve-ref-tables-2012/ve12-t6-3.xls b) 2011: http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files2/stats/ve-reftables-2011/ve-2011-t6.3.xls

Years are assigned by date of registration of deaths.

2013 figures are not included as they have not been finalised by NRS.

An age breakdown is not provided by NHS board due to small numbers, however the following table shows an age breakdown for Scotland as a whole.

Table 2: Deaths from intentional self-harm, registered in Scotland, by year and age group, calendar years 2011 and 2012.

Intentional self-harm deaths are defined using the following International Classification of Disease (ICD10) codes as the main cause of death - X60-84, Y87.0

Note that these data do not include any deaths coded as being of undetermined intent (i.e. those which may be accidentally or purposely inflicted).

Years are assigned by date of registration of deaths.

2013 figures are not included as they have not been finalised by NRS.

Source: ISD Scotland using NRS death registration records.
Ref: IR2014-01156

The Scottish Government has already acted to put in place changes to the way that medicines are assessed in Scotland, to ensure that there will be increased access to medicines for treatment at end of life.

SMC had made the pharmaceutical company aware that the timing of their submission meant that it would not be considered under the new, more flexible process but the company wished to proceed on that basis. The new process for these medicines allows a further opportunity for a company to submit a patient access scheme to improve the cost effectiveness of the medicine. This submission did not include a patient access scheme.

The Scottish Government would welcome a resubmission to SMC and encourage that the pharmaceutical company considers a patient access scheme.