Chamber and committees

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the formation of blood clots in the vein. The Scottish Patient Safety Programme (SPSP) ran a national collaborative during 2014 to reduce hospital associated VTE. As part of this work, SPSP supported health boards to raise awareness among the public of the risks of blood clots and the risks and benefits of thromboprophylaxis with the production of an information leaflet and posters. The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network has published guidance for boards on the prevention and management of venous thromboembolism and produced a patient leaflet. http://www.sign.ac.uk/pdf/pat122.pdf

SPSP is now working with NHS Borders to identify further learning for spread across Scotland. This includes work to develop a public facing campaign for VTE.

The Scottish Government commissioned an independent review of funeral poverty in October 2015 and this was published in February 2016. The Scottish Government response accepts almost all of the report’s recommendations and we have been pursuing a coordinated set of activity since then. For example:

During autumn 2016 we are undertaking a series of engagement events including three themed round table discussions and a national conference on funeral poverty to promote a debate and develop a shared understanding of the issues. This work will feed in to a funeral costs plan which identifies practical actions.

Developing and consulting on options for a Scottish Funeral Payment to produce a benefit which helps more people, is more predictable and provides help more quickly.

Considering whether a Scottish Funeral Bond could help people plan ahead for their funeral.

All specialist cleft surgery - for both adults and children, to repair cleft lip and palate should be carried out by one of three specialist cleft surgeons, based in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Should the recommendation to consolidate cleft surgery in Glasgow be supported, this arrangement will continue. Patients will continue to be assessed by the national specialist cleft surgery service. Those who do not require a specialist cleft surgery intervention, will continue to be managed locally, including at St John’s Hospital in West Lothian.

A decision whether to approve the recommendation will be made in due course.

The running costs for the NHS Scotland Confidential Alert Line (NCAL) pilot (2 April 2013 to 31 July 2014) were £18,666. The running costs for the period 1 August 2014 to 31 July 2016 were £31,600.

Public Concern at Work, the charity that provides the NCAL service were awarded £120,660 in total from 2 April 2013 to 31 July 2016 to cover a range of services including whistleblowing training for NHS Sotland staff, reporting, communication and running costs of the NCAL.

The Scottish Government published the Waste Prevention and Re-use Guide which provides practical advice and guidance on implementing effective waste prevention systems within NHS facilities and includes guidance on clinical waste. It is aimed at hospital and healthcare staff including senior management, waste management officers, sustainability officers and any others interested in promoting resource efficiency in a healthcare environment.

The Scottish Government has taken forward a range of actions through Changing Scotland's Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action. This includes improved substance misuse education in schools through Curriculum for Excellence and improved identification of, and support for, children affected by parental substance misuse. Also, support for diversionary activities for young people and guidance for parents and carers about young people and alcohol.

In addition the Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Act 2010 imposed a mandatory condition onto licences to have an age verification policy (Challenge 25) to make it harder for under-age drinkers to gain access to alcohol and the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015 will make it an offence to give alcohol to children or young people in a public place helping the Police to address the scourge of drinking dens.

The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government.

Data on the number of Patient Hygiene Inspectors in NHS Scotland is not collated or held centrally by the Scottish Government or NHS National Services Scotland.

Information on staff outsourced from private companies is not centrally held.

Appointments to Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) were confirmed following their legal constitution in line with the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Integration Joint Board) (Scotland) Order 2014, which sets out minimum membership requirements of IJBs. As with any board of governance, an interim vacancy may arise from time to time due to a member stepping down or an appointment term coming to an end.