- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 07 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 20 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will use double testing in suspected cases of Clostridium difficile, as recommended by a recent independent study, to ensure accurate diagnoses.
Answer
NHS laboratories test for Clostridium difficile. The study referred to by the member has only just been published. Its recommendations are being considered by Health Protection Scotland, alongside other evidence on appropriate testing methods. Subject to this consideration, a view will then be taken on whether the current guidance requires to be revised.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 20 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 20 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that incidence of and mortality from Clostridium difficile are reported on a hospital-by-hospital basis.
Answer
Yes. The Scottish Government will be issuing a reporting template for all boards to use from January 2009.
This template will enable boards to undertake a critical review of all cases of Clostridium difficile associated disease in hospital and those which result in death, identify whether the patient''s clinical care was optimal and what can be improved to reduce the risk of future patients developing CDAD.
I will make it clear to NHS boards that the outcome of the analysis of all cases must be reported at bi-monthly board meetings and that the data must be published.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 19 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what outcomes for people with learning disabilities were set out in single outcome agreements, broken down by local authority.
Answer
Learning disability is mentioned in the single outcome agreements in the context of the provision of care and support services, accommodation, employability, independent living, children and young people, obesity, personal life plans and pregnancy services.
In relation to community care, 10 local authorities have included Indicator 29 in their single outcome agreements, which is to increase the proportion of people needing care or support who are able to sustain an independent quality of life as part of the community, through effective joint working.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 19 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive how many single outcome agreements make reference to learning disability.
Answer
The Scottish Government expects single outcome agreements to reflect the expectations of all people in receipt of services including those with learning disabilities. Specific reference to learning disability is made in 19 single outcome agreements.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 07 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 19 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether NHS Scotland insists that sterile scrubs are used by all clinical staff in hospital wards.
Answer
I refer the member to the question S3W-17671 on 18 November 2008. 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.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 07 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 19 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it will take to ensure that cases of Clostridium difficile are accurately diagnosed.
Answer
NHS laboratories follow the framework set out in Health Protection Scotland guidance document
Guidance on Prevention and Control of Clostridium difficile Associated Disease in Healthcare Settings in Scotland. The guidance is available at:
http://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/haiic/sshaip/guidelinedetail.aspx?id=39295.
In addition, Health Protection Scotland is working with NHS boards to improve surveillance procedures and reporting systems across all NHS boards, as set out under the surveillance section of our national HAI action plan which was established in response to the recommendations arising from the publication of the Health Protection Scotland Report Review of Clostridium difficile Associated Disease Cases and Mortality in all Acute Hospitals in Scotland from December 2007 - May 2008 and the report of the Independent Review Team Report on the Clostridium difficile Outbreaks at Vale of Leven Hospital.
The national action plan is available from the HAI Task Force website at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/NHS-Scotland/19529/2005/actionplans.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 24 October 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 19 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive, following publication of the report of the recent investigation by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, Wrong place, Wrong time, whether it will urgently review the operation of adolescent mental health services across Scotland to ensure a consistent approach to the care and treatment of 16 and 17-year-olds.
Answer
I welcome the commission''s continued attention to child and young people''s mental health services and share the ambition for consistency of approach.
Working with NHS boards and other partners we continue to address and progress the recommendations made in The Mental Health of Children and Young People Framework for Promotion, Prevention and Care (Bib. number 38415). Full delivery will ensure equity of access across Scotland to services designed to meet the particular prevention, care, transition and recovery needs of children and adolescents.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 07 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 18 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is appropriate for healthcare workers to travel to and from work wearing their uniforms.
Answer
Policies relating to NHSScotland uniforms and dress code are in need of review, and the Scottish Government''s Health and Wellbeing Directorates are in the process of finalising a national dress code for NHSScotland. Issues that may act as a barrier to good practice, such as the availability of changing and laundry facilities, are also under consideration.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 07 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 18 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will pilot the use of sterile clothing as a means of reducing the incidence of healthcare-acquired infections.
Answer
There are no current plans to do so. Staff are expected to follow policy on the use of personal protective equipment, such as the use of disposable aprons and gloves and rigorous hand hygiene to protect staff and patients from potential cross infection.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 07 November 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 17 November 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what process is used in the diagnosis of Clostridium difficile by each NHS board.
Answer
The processes used by each laboratory will vary depending on the size of the NHS board and the frequency of testing required. All NHS boards'' testing kits are approved nationally.
