Chamber and committees

Some references were made at the NHS Ayrshire and Arran Annual Review on 17 December 2012. Whilst it was clearly not appropriate for particular incidents/individual cases to be discussed in a public forum, I was assured that NHS Ayrshire and Arran take such allegations extremely seriously and are actively investigating. As in any such case, should the board’s review identify any necessary actions, I would expect these to be implemented as a matter of priority.

NHS Health Scotland invited a stakeholder panel who picked up (from the annual report) on the work Health Scotland were doing in this area and the panel was very supportive of the approach being adopted.

No other incidents of bullying and harassment were raised at any of the recent annual review meetings.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Pricing of branded medicines is currently a reserved matter and proposals for Value Based Pricing are being taken forward by the UK Government’s Department of Health. The Scottish Government is supportive of the principle of value based pricing and is continuing to work with the Department of Health on its Development.

UK wide negotiations on value based pricing are on-going at present and all parties concerned are working towards agreeing and implementing the new arrangements early in 2014.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12543 on 27 February 2013. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Scottish Ministers discuss the impact of the proposed welfare reforms on people and organisations in Scotland on a regular basis.

The Scottish Government is currently funding three projects to support capacity building a) in relation to parents and carers of disabled children and young people at both national and local levels and b) disabled children and young people themselves. Intrinsic to these projects is the development of peer support.

Details of the projects are as follows:

Arrangements are currently in hand to meet with Earl Howe, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for Medicines and Pharmacy policy, at the next available opportunity. I have also exchanged correspondence with Earl Howe concerning Value Based Pricing and have received continuing assurances that the UK Government and Devolved Administrations will work closely together in developing a value based pricing approach. I can also confirm that officials are in regular contact with the Department of Health concerning value based pricing.

The funding provided reimburses staff costs for expert clinical advice to support the improvement of chronic pain services in Scotland. Expert clinical advice includes representation on professional groups (such as Royal College of Anaesthetists and British Pain Association, development of the SIGN Guideline and learning sessions for clinicians). Reimbursement ensures there is no disruption to the provision of chronic pain services as a result of working on the national chronic pain service model.