Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S4W-05144

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 3 February 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how the funding allocated to NHS Grampian for HIV prevention work has been spent since the termination of the contract with the Terence Higgins Trust on 1 December 2011.

The provision of HIV prevention services, and local decisions about the use of funding, are a matter for NHS boards. The role of Government is to ensure that our policy priorities of fewer new blood-borne virus infections and fewer STIs are achieved, and that individual are not adversely affected by any local commissioning decision.

Funding attached to prevention projects that were not specifically delivered through the Terrence Higgins Trust contract continues to be used for HIV prevention services. The funding that had been allocated to the THT contract that was left over following termination of the contract has been allocated to cover the cost of the HIV Needs Assessment that NHS Grampian is now undertaking. This activity includes surveys of patient views on services and patient interviews. The Needs Assessment is expected to report by the autumn this year and will be used to inform ongoing HIV prevention work in the NHS Grampian area.

Question reference: S4W-05140

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 3 February 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-03303 by Michael Matheson on 2 November 2011, what the current position is regarding the provision of HIV prevention services in NHS Grampian.

The provision of HIV prevention services are a matter for local NHS boards. The role of government is to ensure that our policy priorities of fewer new blood-borne virus infections and fewer STIs are achieved, and that individual are not adversely affected by any local commissioning decision. NHS Grampian has informed us that there has been no gap in the provision of HIV prevention services since December and we will continue to monitor this closely.

NHS Grampian has continued to provide and support a range of prevention activities since December, including promotion of the HIV Wake Up call campaign; the promotion and distribution of condoms across Grampian, and ongoing promotion of Sexual Health and Relationships Education (SHARE) in schools. NHS Grampian is also undertaking an HIV needs assessment to shape and inform future services.

Question reference: S4W-05226

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 January 2012
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 3 February 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have attempted or committed suicide at the Erskine Bridge in each year since 2007.

The information requested is not held centrally.

The Scottish Suicide Information Database (ScotSID) Report published on 20 December 2011, holds information on Place of Suicidal Act with categories such as Private Dwelling, Street or Highway, and Method of Suicide, including the category Jumping or Falling from a High Place. However it does not name any specific locations, such as the Erskine Bridge.

The second phase of ScotSID’s development involves working with the Procurator Fiscal to provide more extensive information on an individual’s circumstances of death, and common suicide locations may at some point be considered for future inclusion.

The ScotSID Report can be accessed at: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Public-Health/Publications/2011-12-20/2011-12-20-Suicide-Report.pdf.

Question reference: S4W-05143

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 3 February 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive what contingency plans are in place for HIV prevention work in NHS Grampian.

The provision of HIV prevention services is a matter for local NHS boards. The role of government is to ensure that our policy priorities of fewer new blood-borne virus infections and fewer STIs are achieved, and that individuals are not adversely affected by any local commissioning decision.

NHS Grampian has continued to provide and support a range of prevention activities since the THT contract was terminated. There has been no gap in the provision of HIV prevention services and no gap is expected.

Question reference: S4W-05228

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 January 2012
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 2 February 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how many suicides have been recorded in each year since 2007.

Question reference: S4O-00662

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 February 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 February 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will hold a public inquiry into the PIP breast implant situation.

Question reference: S4W-05222

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 January 2012
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 1 February 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will establish a national registry of breast implants.

As a follow up to the Interim Report of the Expert Group, published on 6 January, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh is leading a further review into the regulation of cosmetic surgery, including looking critically at the value and feasibility of a comprehensive register of significant surgical devices, including breast implants, and how best to put this into action.

My officials will be working with colleagues in Department of Health on this review and considering the implications for NHSScotland.

Question reference: S4W-05232

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 January 2012
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 1 February 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that sinks in NHS facilities are infection free.

To review whether or not cleaning standards are being met, the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate undertake a rolling programme of inspections of all acute hospitals in Scotland.

This is a matter for NHS boards to manage. Detailed guidance is made available to NHS boards in the NHSScotland National Cleaning Services Specification and the Monitoring Framework for NHSScotland National Cleaning Services Specification Guide for NHSScotland Managers.

Question reference: S4W-05231

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 January 2012
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 1 February 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been recorded cases of pseudomonas bacteria being detected in NHS facilities.

Question reference: S4W-04944

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 23 January 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive which recommendations of the independent Commission on the Funding of Care and Support, chaired by Professor Dilnot, it will take forward.