Chamber and committees

Arrangements are currently in hand to meet with Earl Howe, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for Medicines and Pharmacy policy, at the next available opportunity. I have also exchanged correspondence with Earl Howe concerning Value Based Pricing and have received continuing assurances that the UK Government and Devolved Administrations will work closely together in developing a value based pricing approach. I can also confirm that officials are in regular contact with the Department of Health concerning value based pricing.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 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.

Scottish Ministers discuss the impact of the proposed welfare reforms on people and organisations in Scotland on a regular basis.

I wrote to NHSScotland Chairs and Chief Executives on 22 February 2013, reminding them that boards should frequently review their behaviours and practices to ensure they have a culture which actively encourages and supports members of staff to raise concerns. The culture should also ensure that staff are not penalised or persecuted in any way for raising concerns in good faith.

The Partnership Information Network (PIN) Policy, Preventing and Dealing with Bullying and Harassment in NHSScotland, provides guidance to NHS Boards on the development of a clearly defined policy and procedure for dealing with bullying and harassment complaints. The PIN Policy also highlights the importance of promoting the policy to staff, training for managers and of senior managers monitoring the application of the policy.

The Dignity at Work toolkit, Give Respect Get Respect, provides guidance to NHS Boards on promoting Dignity in the Workplace. The toolkit includes a description of bullying and its effect.

Culture, values and behaviours will be a fundamental cornerstone of the 2020 Workforce Vision which we aim to launch at the NHS event in June 2013. This will present a further opportunity to restate our commitment to providing a working environment in the NHS in Scotland which is free from bullying and harassment.