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-04507

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 December 2011
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 20 December 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the implementation of the Hepatitis C National Action Plan by NHS boards.

The Hepatitis C Action Plan came to an end in March 2011. Government policy is now set out in the Sexual health and BBV Framework which was launched in August 2011. The Framework is monitored by a robust governance structure, regular reporting and annual multi-agency visits to each NHS board. A series of data indicators have been established to monitor progress against outcomes, and a National Monitoring and Assurance Group has been established to take forward and quality assure this work. This group is jointly chaired by Health Protection Scotland and NSS Information Services Division.

Question reference: S4W-04499

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 December 2011
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 20 December 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with COSLA about the new housing benefit regulations in relation to foster carers and whether it considers that there will be an impact on the provision of foster care.

The Scottish Government is in regular communication with COSLA about the full range of proposed housing benefit changes contained in the Welfare Reform Bill, and the issue of the impact on foster carers and the provision of foster care has been discussed in that context.

It is not possible to fully assess the impacts of the bill until the parliamentary process is exhausted, however the Scottish Government has made representations to the UK Government on this issue. We welcome the recent UK Government announcement that Discretionary Housing Payment budgets across the UK are to be increased in recognition of the potential impacts of the changes on foster carers and other vulnerable groups, but remain concerned about whether that approach provides a sustainable solution in longer term.

Question reference: S4W-04504

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 December 2011
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 20 December 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that there is a link between the incidence of hepatitis C and deprivation.

Question reference: S4F-00357

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 12 December 2011
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 December 2011

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the balance of spending between administrators, beds and nursing staff in the NHS.

Question reference: S4O-00499

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 December 2011
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 December 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will maintain the level of council tax benefit going to local authorities in any revised system from April 2013, despite a 10% reduction in the funding transferred by the UK Government.

Question reference: S4W-04101

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 November 2011
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 6 December 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-03257 by Nicola Sturgeon on 18 October 2011, whether it will consider collecting information about the number of people with Down’s syndrome.

Whilst the Scottish Government has no plans, as present, to collect information on the number of people with a diagnosis of Down’s syndrome. General information on the number of people with a learning disability within each local authority is currently collated annually through eSAY. Numbers are collated annually from local authorities by the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Question reference: S4W-04117

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 November 2011
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 5 December 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has plans to close Blawarthill Hospital and, if so, whether this will be subject to ministerial approval.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has carried out a review of the future of continuing care provision in West Glasgow. As part of the review, the board propose to cease the provision of NHS continuing care on the Blawarthill Hospital site and to transfer inpatient beds to Drumchapel Hospital. I am advised by the board that negotiations are progressing positively between the NHS board and Glasgow City Council on the future provision of a 120 bed care home facility on the site.

The Scottish Government is of the view that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s plans for Blawarhill Hospital do not constitute major service change under the terms of CEL 4 (2010) Informing, Engaging and Consulting People in Developing Health and Community Care Services. As such, the NHS board’s plans will not be subject to ministerial approval.

Question reference: S4W-04102

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 November 2011
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 1 December 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-03258 by Nicola Sturgeon on 18 October 2011, whether it will consider collecting information about the number of people with a dual diagnosis of Down’s syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease.

Question reference: S4W-04097

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 November 2011
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 1 December 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that all prisoners with learning disabilities will have access to a learning disabilities trained nurse.

Question reference: S4W-04100

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 November 2011
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 30 November 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that all prison staff will be given learning disability awareness training.

I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

Prison staff are trained to detect, assess and meet the needs of people with a range of abilities and assets, disabilities and deficits. A learning disability is amongst these characteristics. The Scottish Prison Service will continue to train its staff to be aware of people with disabilities in order to be able to respond with greater confidence to their needs. It will continue to invest in staff and services with specialist skills, to encourage education and health specialists to come into prison in order to support care.