Chamber and committees

Clinicians in NHSScotland can only refer a patient for complementary therapy where their NHS board agrees to the referral. In such instances the treatment is provided free of charge.

Members of the public are free to use complementary therapy services privately if they choose.

Guidance HDL (2005) 37, issued to NHS boards in August 2005 sets out the framework for the provision of these services in the NHS and clarifies that any NHS clinician wishing to make a referral for alternative treatment would be required to be satisfied of the value of the treatment and competence of the practitioner. The guidance is available online and can be found at:

http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/sehd/mels/hdl2005_37.pdf

The British Medical Association’s (BMA) guidance Referrals to complementary therapists regulated by statute - Guidance for GPs contains advice on referrals to complementary therapists:

regulated by statute

who are registered with the General Medical Councils GMC, or Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC); and,

delegation to other practitioners

The BMA guidance can be viewed at:

http://www.bma.org.uk/images/refcomtherap0406_tcm26-190153.pdf

The Scottish Government has had no direct discussions with the private healthcare sector, who have had the input into the work of the Department of Health's Expert Group. However, we will initiate such discussions as we consider to be necessary.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-04844 on 16 January 2012. 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.

The Scottish Government has advised women that there is no evidence for the routine removal of PIP silicone breast implants but where a woman has concerns about their implant they should contact the surgeon or organisation who put the implant in.

Further information and advice has been made available on the NHS 24 and NHS Inform websites.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-04844 on 16 January 2012. 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 S4F-00931 on 12 January 2012. The answer to the First Ministers parliamentary question is available on the parliament’s website, the official report can be viewed at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=6658&mode=html#iob_60660.

There are no reports of the rupture of breast implants provided by NHSScotland since 2007-08. We have no information on the number of implants provided by the private healthcare sector which have ruptured.

My officials have been in regular contact with colleagues in both Department of Health and The Medical and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA), most recently 6 January when the Chief Medical Officers in the UK discussed the outcome of the expert review group chaired by Sir Bruce Keogh.

Under Section 4 of the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011, there will be one national Children’s Panel.

Discussions with local authorities regarding the establishment and membership of the Area Support Teams are continuing.