Chamber and committees

In May 1997 a streetcount of people sleeping rough in Edinburgh found 42 individuals. However streetcounts are generally regarded as unreliable as they depend on the number and local knowledge of those counting, the time of year and the areas covered by the count.I am aware that the Edinburgh Streetwork Project has recently published a report which indicates 87 individuals known to be sleeping outdoors in 2000 - a reduction from 125 individuals identified in 1999.

Information on the full range of facilities and services available to rough sleepers can be obtained from the City of Edinburgh Council. Projects in Edinburgh funded under the Rough Sleepers Initiative include the provision of integrated housing, social work and health services at the Single Access Point; a wet hostel providing accommodation and support for rough sleepers with alcohol problems; the Cowgate day and night centre; direct access provision; supported move-on accommodation, some with intense support for drug users; and resettlement and outreach.

An interim evaluation of the RSI was published in June 1999. During 2001 we shall be carrying out local rough sleepers prevalence studies alongside an assessment of services and accommodation available to people who are sleeping rough. This will enable an assessment to be made of the extent to which services are meeting needs.

In June 2000, through the Rough Sleepers Initiative, the Executive allocated £1.32 million to the City of Edinburgh Council, to provide additional interim and permanent direct access accommodation in Edinburgh. This allocation was in recognition that there were insufficient hostel places in the city. Temporary winter shelter arrangements have been in operation in the city pending the development of the interim direct access accommodation.

The working group concluded its business on 18 January and has made recommendations. These are being considered and an announcement will be made shortly.

I will be making an announcement shortly.

We have been monitoring the progress of the two sellers survey market pilots - Surveys Online and Clyde Properties. Both of these initiatives have explored innovative approaches towards identifying new methods and working practices within the house purchase system in Scotland.

This information is not held centrally.

The Scottish Executive has no plans to provide additional funds for this purpose.

Safety of medical instruments is a high priority withinNHSScotland, and there has been significant national and local investment indecontamination of instruments in recent years. A letter from SEHD toNHSScotland on 18 September (HDL(2003)42) gave details of the continuing andextensive programme of improvements in decontamination of instruments under theguidance of the Glennie Group, which was set up by SEHD in 2001. This requiresprimary care establishments to produce action plans for compliance with fullGlennie technical requirements by 31 March 2004 and implementation by 31 December 2004. In broad terms, the Glennie Groupencourages the use of single-use disposable instruments where practicable interms of medical suitability and cost.

With regardto cervical smear tests, a safety alert notice on decontamination of vaginalspecula was distributed to NHSScotland in August 2003.

It is veryimportant that women continue to attend for a cervical smear tests when invitedto do so and discuss any concerns they may have with their smear taker. NHS boardsare responsible for the promotion of the cervical screening programme in theirarea.