Chamber and committees

Annual funding provided to Breathing Space is as follows:

2007-08

£905,000 total funding received:

£680,000 Scottish Government funding allocation for Breathing Space

£225,000 NHS 24 funding (internal allocation).

2008-09

£1,025,000 total funding received:

£800,000 Scottish Government funding allocation for Breathing Space

£225,000 NHS 24 funding (internal allocation).

2009-10

£1,061,000 total funding received:

£825, 000 Scottish Government funding allocation for Breathing Space

£10,000 Scottish Government funding allocation for the Deaf Connections British Sign Language programme

£226,000 NHS 24 funding (internal allocation).

2010-11

£1,043,000 total funding received:

£825,000 Scottish Government funding allocation for Breathing Space

£218,000 NHS 24 funding (internal allocation).

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W 37527 on 30 August 2010. 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 Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry is an independent inquiry. The procedure and conduct of an inquiry is determined by the inquiry''s chairman in accordance with his/her duties under the Inquiries Act 2005. Scottish ministers are therefore unable to comment as to the reasons for the delay in reconvening oral hearings. For further information please contact the secretary of the Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry Team at [email protected].

The Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry is an independent inquiry and any decision about the reconvening of oral hearings is a matter for the inquiry. For further information please contact the Secretary of the Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry Team at [email protected].

The Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry is an independent inquiry. The procedure and conduct of an Inquiry is determined by the inquiry''s chairman in accordance with his/her duties under the Inquiries Act 2005. Under the terms of reference the inquiry is due to report to me by May 2011. For further information please contact the secretary of the Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry Team at [email protected].

The content, standards and competencies required within the GP training curriculum are specified by the General Medical Council, in consultation with the Royal College and educational providers. It is a competency-based curriculum which, over several years, is designed to ensure a GP gains a diverse range of experiences and specialist knowledge in practice settings in order to practice effectively and safely.

While intermediate care is not a specific element within the GP curriculum, its many facets are covered within some of the core and essential skills a GP will need to demonstrate in order to satisfy the standards and behaviours prescribed by the GMC.

Intermediate care is a range of enabling rehabilitative and treatment services delivered through an integrated approach in community settings to shift the balance of care from hospital to the community. It will include a wide range of services that help prevent avoidable acute hospital admissions and facilitate early discharge. The actual services provided will be a matter for local decision making and be based on local needs.

The Joint Improvement Team has funded five demonstrator sites to identify the contribution of intermediate care to a managed shift in the balance of care in order to achieve the outcome of increased independence at home.

We are currently engaging with stakeholders to draft a national framework for intermediate care services in Scotland. As well as building on the emerging evidence from the demonstrator sites, the framework will incorporate examples of good practice, including those from rural and remote areas. The framework will be published early next year.

Scottish ministers and officials regularly meet with NHS boards to discuss matters of importance to local people.

I was very concerned to learn of the fire at the Christie ward on 11 July 2010. I wrote to the ward staff shortly afterwards to pay tribute to their calm but rapid actions which I understand were instrumental in avoiding potentially very serious consequences, and ensured the safety of local patients.

I understand that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will fully brief the Vale of Monitoring Group on the position in respect of inpatient mental health services and the possible next steps at its meeting on 30 August 2010.

Having made this a specific requirement in the monitoring group''s remit, and having ensured there is relevant representation on the group for mental health service users and carers, I expect NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to ensure that the group continues to be fully involved in the consideration of the future of local inpatient mental health services.