Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-7812 on 10 January 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/webapp/wa.search.

Ian Hudghton MEP attended the event personally, and several other MEPs were represented by their assistants.

Comments removed by the moderator as a result of the ongoing review of the site are removed because they are considered to breach any part of the moderating criteria set out in the answer to S3W-11333 on 23 April 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/webapp/wa.search.

It is the practice of successive governments, reflected in the Scottish Ministerial Code and the provisions of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, that the fact and content of legal advice is not revealed.

A list of the organisations represented at the National Conversation event in Brussels on 23 April 2008 is provided below:

European Commission

European Parliament

Council of the EU

Committee of the Regions

Flemish Permanent Representative to the EU

Belgian National Committee for SMEs

Delegation du pays basque

NASC (West Ireland Liaison Office)

Flemish Permanent Representation to the EU

Catalonia representation to the EU

North Westphalia Representation to the EU

Flemish Department for Foreign Affairs

British Council Brussels

Scotland Europa

Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Scottish Government

Scottish Parliament

Welsh Assembly Government

Northern Ireland Executive

Law societies Joint Brussels office

Sun Microsystem

European Policy Centre

Callanish Health

Cabinet Stewart

Hill & Knowlton

Chaps Law

White & Case

The Times

 

Contributors to the National Conversation website may submit comments under any name, as long they do so in line with the criteria used for the moderation of the site.

The National Conversation is an open and inclusive debate, where all contributions posted according to the moderating criteria are welcome and valid.

The Scottish Government definition, used in the application of the moderating criteria, that racism “can be indirect, direct or institutional, and that racism is unacceptable in any context no matter who it is perpetrated by or against”, is consistent with the Race Relations Act 1976 as amended in 2000.

In primary care, the risks and benefits of any prescribed medication are discussed during consultation between the patient and their GP. This would include the risks of thrombosis associated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the contraceptive pill, which are well-known.

Pharmacists will discuss the indications, contra-indications, drug interactions and side effects with the patient before dispensing medication. There is also a legal requirement for each prescription for HRT and the oral contraceptive pill to contain an information leaflet which describes product characteristics, including the risk of thrombosis.

We would also expect clinicians providing maternity services to assess pregnant women for risk factors for DVT as part of their clinical assessment, and to provide further management in line with the current clinical guidelines produced by SIGN and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

In addition, we have commissioned Lifeblood, the thrombosis charity, to develop a general information leaflet on DVT. The leaflet includes guidance for individuals considered to be at high risk, including those on HRT and the oral contraceptive pill, and mentions that a simple blood test is available which may show a genetic susceptibility to DVT. The leaflet has been distributed to every GP practice in Scotland so that it can be on display and available to the general public.

We have accepted the advice of the UK National Screening Committee (NSC) that there is no evidence to support screening for thrombophilia in asymptomatic women prior to prescription of oral contraception or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The NSC goes on to recommend that a woman with a personal history of venous thrombosis should be advised to avoid oral contraception and HRT if acceptable alternatives are available, and should be counselled regarding the level of risk faced.

The refurbishment and extension of Dumbarton Sheriff Court is currently programmed for completion by the end of January 2009.