Chamber and committees

In 2010, 163 patients required revision for an elective primary hip that had been replaced within the previous five years, and 184 patients required revision for an elective primary knee that had been replaced within the previous five years. A five-year timescale was chosen because revision of a hip or knee replacement within five years generally indicates some problem or failure of the implant ahead of the usual 10+ years lifespan of the implant. These figures exclude repeat revisions of an implant in the same joint.

As well as revision of failed implants, revision arthroplasty surgery also occurs in order to replace implants that have worn out over time (10+ years implant lifespan), and to revise implants that are already themselves revisions. In 2010 the total number of hip and knee arthroplasty revisions from all sources was 832 and 530 respectively.

Data for the financial year 2010-11 are not yet available.

At its last meeting on 15 March 2011, the National Scrutiny Group concluded that while it had essentially fulfilled its initial remit, there continued to be a need for a group to set strategic direction at national level and to check operational delivery against that. How best to take that forward, is currently under active consideration in partnership between the Scottish Government, NHS Scotland boards and staff side representatives. In light of that, no date has yet been set for a further meeting of the National Scrutiny Group.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-338 on 9 June 2011 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Information on the numbers of voluntary redundancies is not held centrally and would have to be requested from individual NHS boards in Scotland.

I am advised by SCSWIS that the last inspection it carried out at the Elsie Inglis Nursing Home took place on 16 May 2011. The results of this inspection form part of an ongoing police investigation.

I understand that the Care Commission received three complaints in the period January 2006 to March 2011 and SCSWIS received two complaints about this service in April 2011. Five complaint investigations were carried out resulting in two complaints being upheld and three partially upheld.

Local authorities are subject to the Equality Act 2010 and the new public sector equality duty which it contains. This new duty came into force on 5 April 2011 and covers all of the relevant protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010. The duty requires public authorities to pay “due regard” to the need to eliminate discrimination, victimisation and harassment which are unlawful under the Act, to advance equality of opportunity and to foster good relations. It is for local authorities themselves to determine how they respond to the duty.

Ward 66 is not closing. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has decided to move the paediatric neurological service to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (Yorkhill) on an interim basis.

This decision follows a review of paediatric neurosurgery and craniofacial surgery at the Southern General and Yorkhill Hospitals carried out by The Royal College of Anaesthetists in November 2010. A key recommendation of the review was that it would be in the best interests of patients to consolidate the paediatric neurological service at Yorkhill as an interim move, ahead of the relocation of the children’s hospital to the new south Glasgow hospital site in 2015.

This move will see this group of young patients being cared for in facilities specifically dedicated for children for the first time, and will therefore allow NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to deliver this highly specialised service in the most suitable environment. This ensures access to the full range of wider dedicated paediatric clinical specialties such as ITU, HDU and anaesthesia.

The cost of NHS National Services Scotland support to the Scottish Arthroplasty Project in the financial year 2010-11 was £51,000.

Under the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2003, advocacy for people with learning disabilities is provided locally by local authorities and health boards. The 2010 report by the Parliament’s Equal Opportunities Committee, recognised that significant resources, approximately £18 million, had been given to both local authorities and health boards as part of the implementation of the 2003 Act, of which advocacy is an important part.

The Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 provides for the establishment of the Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS). One of the duties of PASS will be to direct people to other sources of advice and support.

Additional funding of £500,000 per year from 2010-11 is being provided to cover the potential increase in referrals and to address gaps in provision. In 2010-11 this additional funding was provided to ensure health boards have undertaken a needs assessment and have up to date Advocacy Plans in place.

The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA), which is funded by the Scottish Government Health Directorates is working with boards on the development of the advocacy plans.