Chamber and committees

Scottish Government officials have been in discussions with the Royal College of Psychiatry’s Eating Disorders faculty over the course of 2019 in relation to a needs assessment, and a review of the existing evidence base.

As referenced in the answer to question S5W-25424, we understand that the Mental Welfare Commission intend to publish a needs assessment report in 2020. This report will outline the current availability of Eating Disorders services, and together with the SIGN guidelines, will inform future improvement work.

The Scottish Government is clear in our engagement with NHS Boards that patients should be assessed according to their clinical need. Our expectation is that those who need immediate treatment, whether for an eating disorder or for any condition or disorder requiring access to mental health services, will receive that care quickly – whether that takes place in specialist settings, or via the work of community mental health teams.

Community mental health teams already provide a range of services for different conditions, including Eating Disorders, covering a range of intensities. The forthcoming SIGN guidelines for Eating Disorders will outline the evidence for treatment, and will be an important consideration to further inform how local areas respond to individual cases.

I agree with the member’s aspiration that there should be an equitable and consistent provision of services for people with eating disorders across Scotland.

As referenced in the answer to question S5W-24291, we have committed to Scotland-specific clinical guidelines, produced by SIGN. Additionally, we understand that the Mental Welfare Commission intend to publish a needs assessment report in 2020, outlining the current availability of Eating Disorders services. These two pieces of work will inform the level of support and resources that will be required by NHS Boards.

NHS boards are required to make every effort to ensure the safety of patients' belongings while they are in hospital, and to have appropriate security arrangements in place. The Scottish Government welcomes suggestions to further increase safety arrangements, and will continue its work with NHS Boards to consider potential improvements that can be made.

NHS construction project typically cover more than one financial year, so in order to provide a more meaningful overview of capital investment projects, the Scottish Government developed the Infrastructure Investment Plan. This plan provides regular updates every six months on progress including timescales and costs. In addition to the publication of the plan and the major projects update, the Scottish Government discuss progress each year with the Public Audit and Post Legislative Scrutiny Committee at the Scottish Parliament.

The Infrastructure Investment Plan and supporting documents can be accessed at:

https://www.gov.scot/policies/government-finance/infrastructure-investment/#plan .

My officials & I have met regularly with representatives from NHS Lothian regarding the opening of the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-24250 on 20 August 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. Information regarding how much has been spent on new medicines should be directed to individual NHS Boards.

The Scottish Government notes that the Scottish Medicines Consortium has undertaken recently an assessment of the “CAR-T” cell therapy submission Kymriah ® (tisagenlecleucel) for paediatric patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia ( SMC2129 ) and adult patients with diffuse large cell B lymphoma ( SMC2200 ). In this assessment, the SMC’s existing methods and processes proved to be suitable for the consideration of gene therapies. The independent SMC does of course keep these matters under review.

An extensive and effective campaign was put in place in July, asking parents and patients to continue using the Sciennes building until further notice. Teams were put in place in case patients mistakenly turned up at the new site. A helpline was also created and remains in place although demand / usage of this helpline has recently been very low. Patients with follow up appointments in the coming months will receive appointment details to attend the RHSC at Sciennes. Once a new opening date is confirmed, NHS Lothian will undertake a full campaign similar to that which was carried out to promote the original planned opening in July.

NHS Research Scotland (NRS) supports clinical research studies and clinical trials, including those involving gene therapy, from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical technology industries through a simplified, single point of access to Scotland’s clinical research infrastructure, including world-class facilities, expert investigators and well-characterised groups of patients.

More details on the role of NRS and how it supports clinical research activity in Scotland can be found at: http://www.nhsresearchscotland.org.uk/about/role-of-nrs .