Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government responded to Waterwatch Scotland on publication of its affordability report in September 2008. That response set out that we continue to be committed to introducing a fairer local tax based on ability to pay. Such a change would have implications for the household water charge basis given the present links to the Council Tax system. The response also set out that, in light of this planned wider change, it would be difficult to review particular aspects of the water charging system.

Meantime, the Government is grateful to Waterwatch for this report which addresses a number of important issues. As is reflected in our draft 2010-14 Principles of Charging Statement - a second draft of which was published in March 2009 - we continue to regard the affordability of household charges as a significant objective. We will ensure that the present bespoke reduction scheme for households in receipt of council tax benefit will continue.

The Scottish Government has a new level of ambition to tackle poverty in Scotland and is determined to deliver real and lasting change. Last year we published Achieving our Potential “ a framework setting out the shared approach of Scottish Government and local government in tackling poverty in Scotland. This framework refers to our specific measures to tackle fuel poverty, including the new energy assistance package, and outlines other key actions to tackle poverty required by the Scottish Government and its partners, particularly the strengthening of income maximisation work in an attempt to alleviate the disadvantage of all types of poverty in Scotland.

The framework also calls for the UK government to transfer responsibility for personal taxation and responsibility for the entire benefits system as this relates to Scotland.

Data from 1999-2000 does not provide a basis for comparison with that from 2008-09 because charges at the former time were set at the regional level by three separate water authorities.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23429 on 14 May 2009. 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.

Estimates suggest that boating and diving industries generate in excess £255 million for the Scottish economy. We are undertaking work to provide more robust estimates of the economic value of other industries in the leisure and tourism sector.

The Code of Practice will be revised and consulted on in due course and will contain developed guidance on all matters relating to the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act including post-school transitions.

The National Transitions Development Officer will contribute to this work and will produce more specific guidance relating to transitions at a future date.

As part of their general inspection programme Her Majesty''s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) continue to review and report on provision for children with additional support needs in all schools across Scotland. In November 2007, they published a report, commissioned by the Government, on the evaluation of the implementation of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004.

Where required the Scottish Government will also commission independent research. For example, it has in the past commissioned research into the impact of mainstream education in schools in Scotland which was published in January 2006.

The responses to the consultation process on the establishment of the Care Environment Inspectorate will be published on the NHS Quality Improvement Scotland website.

NHS Orkney has confirmed that all new staff receive a two hour face-to-face infection control session as part of their induction training. The training is delivered by clinical staff and includes sessions on how infection spreads, the different types of infection, how infection is controlled and hand hygiene. In addition, 170 staff have, in the past 12 months, accessed a healthcare associated infection online module that is divided into five tutorials. This covers the background to infection control and healthcare associated infection, the standard precautions that all staff should take, hand hygiene, protocols for segregation of waste and linen and decontamination protocols. These staff represent 31% of total headcount within NHS Orkney. Forty-seven members of staff (16% of eligible head count) have also completed the Cleanliness Champion Training programme, which is an in-depth infection control training module that requires 20 hours of study, mentorship and sign off of a portfolio of work.

During, and since the outbreak, face-to-face training on Clostridium difficile has also been delivered to staff. This has covered the epidemiology of the organism, the importance of infection control principles, case management, surveillance, information for families and hand hygiene protocols. This training was delivered within the ward setting and the percentages of staff involved is presented in the following table:

Ward	% Staff
Piper Ward	99%
Male Ward	75%
Female Ward	88%
Ninian Ward	85%
Macmillan	60%
Renal Unit	100%
Day Surgery	100%
Theatre	80%
Maternity	80%

 

Twenty-two toxin positive specimens were sent by NHS Orkney to NHS Grampian. The Consultant Medical Microbiologists within NHS Grampian decide on which toxin positive samples are cultured for Clostridium difficile based on clinical details, outbreaks and severity of illness.

Of the 22 toxin positive specimens sent to NHS Grampian by NHS Orkney, nine were identified as culture positive and were forwarded to the national reference laboratory for typing.

The Fair for All agenda looks to ensure that whatever the individuals circumstances they have access to the right health services for their needs.

Guidance entitled Achieving fair access was issued to the NHS in April 2007 and is available at http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/2033.aspx.

Section 4 of the guidance covers accessible service delivery and section 4.4 provides advice on admission to health services.

As a response to the recommendations of the fatal accident inquiries the Scottish Government asked NHS boards to prepare action plans for improvement to services. The plans show a range of actions that aim to ensure people with a learning disability are appropriately supported on admission to acute care.