Chamber and committees

From 6 June 2016 the age range for routine screening will be changing from 20 to 60 and 25 to 65. Women aged between 20 and 24 already in the screening programme will still be included in the eligible population. The number of women invited to participate in the cervical screening programme fluctuates from year to year.

As part of the Detect Cancer Early Programme, the Scottish Breast Screening Programme recently transformed from older analogue equipment to digital technology along with the introduction of a new IT system.

From 1 June 2016 the age range for cervical screening will change from 20 to 60 years old and 25 to 65 years old.

No cost saving has been calculated, the changes to the age range and frequency of screening were reviewed as an improvement in clinical effectiveness as opposed to a potential cost savings delivery.

The Scottish Breast Screening Programme invites all women between the age of 50 and 70 for breast screening approximately every three years, based on GP practice. If women do not take up their initial invitation a reminder is used. Women aged over 70 can self-refer into the programme and are also welcome to attend every three years.

As I announced in the chamber during the Stage 3 debate on the Carers Bill on Thursday, 4 February 2016, The Scottish Government has committed £4.75 million to NHS Board Carer Information Strategies in 2016-17. We have notified health boards of their allocations.

As stated in the answer to question S4W-28765, work to open the Independent Living Fund to new users is currently underway, in co-production with disabled people and their representative organisations and statutory partners. Further detail will be announced in due course.

The fair work agenda in social care is a priority for and responsibility shared between the Scottish Government, local authorities and care providers and all partners are expected to make a contribution.

During a telecom briefing to chief executives, I referred to previous agreements on fair work which were based on a tripartite model with providers and local government each making a 25% contribution.

In correspondence to local authorities setting out the terms of my offer, I confirmed that our investment assumes that private and third sector providers will meet their share of the costs. I did not stipulate a specific contribution expected from providers. These costs will be different in each area depending on local markets and therefore local negotiations will determine the overall cost and share of contributions required.

A direct answer was given to the question put in S4W-30050. The reference to the national guidance was made to provide context, as it explains which NHS service changes are subject to ministerial approval.

Prior to academic year 2014-15, student teacher intake targets for Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) secondary programmes of initial teacher education were not set on a subject specific basis. The table indicates the targets that have been set since 2014-15.

	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17
Science*	175	211	226
English	139	170	194
Maths	120	146	179
PE	39	37	33

*Science = Biology + Chemistry + Physics

In addition to the target for PGDE PE, 100 undergraduate PE places are allocated to the University of Edinburgh each year.

In addition to the target for PGDE science, 30 undergraduate places are allocated to the University of Strathclyde for concurrent degrees in chemistry, maths and physics, and 115 undergraduate places are allocated to the University of Stirling for combined degrees in a broad range of subjects including biology, English, maths and PE.

The teacher census is conducted in September each year. The table shows the number of teachers identified in each year's census who were probationer teachers in the previous year and have not found a permanent post in a publicly funded school by the time of the census in the year after their probationary year.

	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
Number of probationers without a permanent post after their first year of emploment (i.e. after their probationary year)	2,264	2,553	2,494	2,608	2,363	1,331	1,290	1,312	1,318

Significant numbers of these probationers had secured temporary posts by the time of the census. The overall proportion of post probationers in permanent or temporary employment at the time of the census in 2015 was 86% compared with 66% in 2007.