Chamber and committees

<>The level of alcohol consumption/sales is estimated from various sources. Information on alcohol duty clearances can be found on the following link: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/Statistics/Pages/TaxAndDutybulletins.aspx. The Alcohol Factsheet March 2012 table 2.1 shows data relating to alcohol clearances for calendar years 1994 to 2011. Table 2.2 shows data relating to pure alcohol clearances by type from 1986-87 to 2010-11. These figures are on a UK basis. Data for Scotland is not identified separately other than for whisky. Information for whisky produced in Scotland in quantities released for consumption and revenue can be found on the Alcohol Bulletin November 2012 table 9 for calendar years 1994 to 2011.

Information on alcohol consumption can be found in the Scottish Health Survey. The latest (2011) data is available from the following link: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/09/7854 at chapter 3.

Data for 2008, 2009 and 2010 can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Health/scottish-health-survey/Publications; no data is available for 2007.

Information on retail sales data in Scotland can be found at: http://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/19333-sales%20dataset1994-2011_Off-tradeexcludesdiscount%20retailers_082012.xls. This shows levels of retail alcohol sales data in Scotland from 1994 to 2011 (no data is available for 1996-99). The data has been supplied to NHS Health Scotland by Nielsen/CGA.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12026 on 28 January 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.

Data is not available estimating the financial value of harm reduction as a result of the reported reduction in consumption in the Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland’s Alcohol Strategy: Second Annual Report.

The University of Sheffield modelling estimates that a 50 pence minimum unit price will result in a reduction in the value of harm of £64 million in year one with a reduction in the cumulative discounted value of harm of £942 million over ten years. This is allocated differentially over drinker type with a reduction in the value of harm for moderate drinkers of £9.3 million in year one and a cumulative discounted value of harm reduction over ten years of £147 million; for hazardous drinkers, a reduction of £10.1 million in year one and a cumulative discounted value of harm reduction over ten years of £235 million; for harmful drinkers, a reduction of £44.5 million in year one and a cumulative discounted value of harm reduction over ten years of £558 million.

It is not possible to estimate any reduction in deaths due to the reported reduction in consumption in the Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland’s Alcohol Strategy: second Annual Report as the impact on the number of deaths may take a number of years to become apparent.

Information on total alcohol-related deaths can be found at: http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/theme/vital-events/deaths/alcohol-related/index.html.

The update report (October 2012) and subsequent additional data (December 2012) were planned and accounted for within Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s overall budget and did not require any additional or external funding. There were no publication costs for either report as they are electronic publications.

In terms of recruitment into foundation and front line specialty training programme posts for 2013, we have maintained intake numbers at 2012 levels. While data for recruitment into foundation posts for 2013 will not be available for some time, recruitment into specialty training within the West Deanery, which encompasses NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, shows an overall fill rate of 84%. As normal, unfilled vacancies will be passed back to individual boards to recruit locally.

 It is important to emphasise that in planning their rotas individual boards should take proper account of the need to balance these with a mix of training and service posts to ensure safe and effective care is provided at all times. We have been assured by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that it is pursuing a range of options to avoid repetition of their 2012 difficulties, and I have requested that my officials stay in regular contact with the board as we move towards the August 2013 changeover period.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-11879 on 22 January 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-11879 on 22 January 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.

<>The Department of Health published proposals in October 2012 for the NHS to invest £250 million in building proton beam therapy facilities at the Christie Hospital in Manchester and University College London Hospital, to develop a UK proton beam therapy service. This summarises the evidence of benefits of proton therapy: http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/10/proton-beam-therapy/.

With regard to current patients, due to the small numbers involved arrangements are in place on a UK-wide basis to collect, collate and report on outcomes for all UK patients, including children, who access proton beam therapy. The audit is ongoing, and it is expected that, given the long-term outcomes being measured, meaningful outcomes data will be available in 5 to 10 years.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-11879 on 22 January 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.