Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-19517 on 19 January 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.

I expect to publish a composite response to all five of the action groups, including the Accountability and Governance Action Group, shortly.

In the first instance, this is a matter for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. It is right that the board consider options to maintain and develop modern, efficient and effective laboratory services in the best interests of patients, and that these options are subject to appropriate engagement with stakeholders.

Any decision to close existing laboratory services at the Vale of Leven Hospital would ultimately be subject to my approval and I would have to be convinced by robust evidence that such a move was in the best interests of patients and local people.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20317 on 12 February 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.

Patients in care homes are treated by GPs, just as any other member of the public in the community would be, therefore this information is not held centrally. Given the importance of the care home sector, the HAI Task Force is taking forward a specific action to explore surveillance of healthcare associated infection (HAI) with the Independent Care Home Sector and how it can best be applied. To assist care homes in their understanding of HAI, the Scottish Government''s Health Directorates have funded a Nurse Consultant in an HAI post. The post-holder took up post beginning of February.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20317 on 12 February 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.

Three inquiries conducted under The Inquiries (Scotland) Rules 2007 (Scottish Statutory Instrument 560/2007) have so far been established under the Inquiries Act 2005.

These are: the ICL Inquiry into the circumstances leading up to the incident on 11 May 2004 at the premises occupied by the ICL group of companies, Grovepark Mills, Maryhill, Glasgow; the Fingerprint Inquiry into the steps that were taken to identify and verify the fingerprints associated with, and leading up to, the case of HM Advocate v. McKie in 1999, and the Penrose Inquiry into the circumstances of HIV and Hepatitis C being transmitted through blood products in Scotland.

Section 17 of the 2005 act requires both that the procedure and conduct of an inquiry are to be such as the chairman of the inquiry may direct and that, in making any decision as to the procedure or conduct of an inquiry, the chairman must act with regard to the need to avoid any unnecessary cost (whether to public funds or to witnesses or others). Section 39 of the 2005 act requires ministers to pay inquiry expenses, subject to certain limitations.

Funding requirements of any Inquiries established under the 2005 act are thus determined to a great extent by the directions of the chairman on an inquiry''s procedure and conduct, which may vary greatly. The full expense is required to be met by a re-prioritisation of resources from within existing programmes.

Specific financial provisions made for the Penrose Inquiry are described in response to the answer to question S3W-19572 on 23 January 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.

The Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) have indicated that both Strathclyde Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are aiming to provide the Area Procurator Fiscal with reports by March 2009. These investigations involve interviewing a large number of witnesses and the examination of complex issues. Both organisations have committed considerable resources to the completion of this work. It will then be for the Area Procurator Fiscal to determine whether any further inquiries are required before he submits his report for consideration by Crown Counsel.

This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0205-01.htm

It is already a statutory requirement, under section 24 of the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965, for a registered medical practitioner to issue a medical certificate of cause of death stating to the best of his knowledge and belief the cause of death, and that would include Clostridium difficile.

It is right that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde consider options to maintain and develop modern, efficient and effective laboratory services in the best interests of patients, and that these options are subject to appropriate engagement with stakeholders.

Any decision to close existing laboratory services at the Vale of Leven Hospital would ultimately be subject to my approval and I would have to be convinced by robust evidence that such a move was in the best interests of patients and local people.