Chamber and committees

Scottish Government Health Directorates officials and I hold regular meetings with chairs and senior managers of NHS boards, at which a range of issues are discussed, including workforce planning and staff management.

The Policy on Paternal Leave for NHS Employees is part of the Supporting Work Life Balance Partnership Information Network (PIN) Policy.

This policy recognises that fathers (including same-sex partners) and adoptive parents have a need and desire to spend time at home during a period of family extension, be that the birth or adoption of a child. Employees meeting the required qualifying criteria have a statutory entitlement to take up to two working weeks'' paternity leave within eight weeks of the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption.

Each board has developed, or is developing, a policy on paternal leave based on the model PIN Policy, including the mechanisms for monitoring implementation. Local issues regarding the implementation and application of policies would be discussed and resolved in partnership with trades unions and professional organisations at the NHS Board Area Partnership Forum.

The Scottish Muscle Network (SMN) has been working on standards of care for the medical management of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), as well as standards for those with myotonic dystrophy. These draw on the Translational Research in Europe “ Assessment and Treatment of Neuromuscular Diseases (TREAT NMD) standards, as used in the two centres of excellence in England. I understand the network intends to discuss with NHS Quality Improvement Scotland whether it will consider endorsing the standards.

The network wants to audit performance against these standards, and met representatives from Action Duchenne to discuss this and other issues on 10 June 2010.

The network is also exploring accreditation by the British Myology Society, the relevant professional body, of the five specialist paediatric centres against the standards developed by the Society.

The National Infertility Group, Chaired by Ian Crichton, Chief Executive of NHS National Services Scotland, met for the first time on 28 April 2010. All papers, including minutes, once cleared by the National Infertility Group, will be placed on the Maternity Services website - www.maternityservices.scot.nhs.uk.

A new transition clinic in Glasgow has been established, along with young adult neuromuscular clinics in Dundee and Aberdeen.

A working group of the network has been looking at the general issue of the transition from child to adult services, with an initial focus on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). It has developed a transitional care pathway, to help young adults cope with the move between child and adult services. This work is supported by the transition information pack which the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign has recently developed, and which is currently being promoted through clinical teams and through the Muscular Dystrophy care advisors.

The network is also carrying out a project, funded by the government, aimed at increasing the uptake of self directed support amongst those with muscular dystrophy, as a way of promoting independent living.

Along with other complex long-term conditions which require integration of health and social care, the need for a key worker and care co-ordination has been identified as being key to the transitional care process. The network intends to engage with local area GIRFEC (Getting It Right For Every Child) co-ordinators to discuss how this can best be taken forward.

The issue of transition from paediatric to adult services across all specialist services is under consideration as part of the National Delivery Plan for Specialist Children''s Services. A working group has been tasked with developing proposals for the long-term care of those with complex and life-limiting conditions such as Duchenne. The national Managed Clinical Network for children with exceptional healthcare needs, which works collaboratively with the Scottish Muscle Network, is looking specifically at the transition of adolescents with complex needs into adult health care, to ensure adequate and appropriate provision is made.

Services in Scotland are provided by five paediatric centres in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Inverness and Glasgow, with Glasgow currently developing a shared care model with the local District General Hospitals in the west of Scotland. These centres provide specialist services for all neuromuscular conditions within the paediatric age group. They are linked together in the Scottish Muscle Network, which promotes the multi-disciplinary approach to care needed by people with these complex conditions. The network also gives a strong voice to patients, carers and the voluntary sector in the development of services. Both the clinicians concerned and the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign support the network as the service model best suited to Scotland''s geography and population distribution. One of the network''s main concerns is to promote the specialist respiratory and cardiac care that are essential to improvements in survival and quality of life.

The network''s paediatric sub-group has produced information on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy for both clinicians and families. It has also produced a leaflet for use in clinics, designed to encourage patients to engage with the Network and share their experience of services, as an important way of driving improvements. The paediatric sub-group will continue to hold family events in Glasgow and Dundee, and is piloting meetings in other parts of Scotland.

Two care advisors, one in the east and one in the west, provide practical and emotional support for people with muscular dystrophy and their families. During the current year, the funding of these posts is shared between the NHS and the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign but as from next year the posts will be funded wholly by the NHS.

The Scottish Muscle Network links to the national Managed Clinical Network for children with exceptional healthcare needs which we have funded as part of the National Delivery Plan for Children and Young People''s Specialist Services in Scotland. Complexity is defined as meaning a child has four or more severe impairments, with additional respiratory and/or enteral feeding needs. The network''s main tasks is to drive up standards of care through the development of a clear process for assessment of service provision, clinical standards and appropriate service models.

The Children''s Hospice Association Scotland also provides specialist palliative care for children with muscular dystrophy.

The National Infertility Group is Chaired by Ian Crichton, Chief Executive of NHS National Services Scotland. Membership of the Group includes Infertility Network Scotland, clinical and service management staff from NHS boards across Scotland, and Scottish Government policy and professional staff.

Following on from the second meeting of the National Infertility Group in July 2010, a confirmed membership list will be added to the Maternity Services website - www.maternityservices.scot.nhs.uk .

I understand the Scottish Muscle Network expects to complete the report of its strategic review during the summer.

The National Infertility Group, Chaired by Ian Crichton, Chief Executive of NHS National Services Scotland, met for the first time on 28 April 2010.

As referred to in my answer to S3W-28469, testing of the estates monitoring tool began in January 2010. This work is currently being evaluated, but the tool is a complex one and it is important to ensure that it is fit for purpose and robust before it is fully rolled out. When implemented, the new tool will include an audit of the facilities available for the storage of excess soiled bedding and clothing.