Chamber and committees

Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) is not a special health board. HIS was set up under the terms of the Public Services Reform Act (2010) as a health body, independent of the organisations it inspects (both NHS and non NHS) and reports independently of Scottish Government.

National Procurement, which is part of NHS National Services Scotland, has confirmed that it supplies some transvaginal mesh devices to health boards through the National Distribution Centre. These devices are not included in a national contract but are supplied in response to catalogue requests from NHS boards for specific makes and type of device.

As the value and volume of products supplied through National Procurement is relatively low there are no plans to move this to a National Contract.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-14279 on 30 April 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

This is an operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service, the information requested is not held centrally.

There were nine Inspector roles advertised in financial year 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013. Three were advertised in June 2012 and six advertised in March 2013. All were advertised internally and externally.

This information is not held centrally.

The information requested is not held centrally.

All inspection reports produced by the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate may have requirements and recommendations. NHS boards are invited to review draft inspection reports to check for factual accuracy. Any factual accuracy amendments that are accepted will lead Healthcare Improvement Scotland to correct the report. If necessary, they may reflect the correction in the requirements and recommendations.

Ambulance Service activity is published annually in the Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland Cost Book and this can be found at:

http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Finance/Costs/

As part of their Patient Transport Service Improvement Programme - which includes investment in new technology, training and staff development - the Scottish Ambulance Service expect that staff numbers are likely to reduce by around 60 and the Patient Transport Service fleet will reduce by around 33 vehicles. All of the staff reductions will be secured by retirement, leavers or redeployment within the service.

I expect the Scottish Ambulance Service to ensure they deliver a consistent, high quality patient transport service for patients, and a service that is demand responsive and person centred. Any efficiencies that are secured through the better use of technology, improved planning and enhanced co-ordination will be reinvested in front-line care.