Chamber and committees

As I announced during thedebate on our Approach to Government, a criticalelement of our approach to simpler, smaller government is to declutter thelandscape, in particular with reference to executive agencies and non-departmentalpublic bodies. I plan to discuss this with the people who are involved inpublic services, to build consensus within Parliament that the public sectorlandscape has become too complicated and to reassess the relationship betweenthe Executive its agencies and public bodies. Specific proposals will flow fromthose discussions and reassessment.

There is no definitive listof core services although our manifesto expressly included accident andemergency and maternity services as services that the public would expect tohave local access to. Of course, all services must be able to be deliveredsafely and sustainably within available resources.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-35 on 31 May 2007. All answers towritten parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website. The searchfacility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Individual NHS boards are responsible for designing safeand sustainable services that meet the needs of their local population. In doingso, NHS boards reflect policy guidance provided by the Scottish Executive and relevantclinical guidelines and professional requirements.

I refer the member to the questionS3W-35 answered on 31 May 2007. Allanswers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’swebsite. The search facility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-35 on 31 May 2007. All answers towritten parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website. The searchfacility for this can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-35 on 31 May 2007. All answers towritten parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website. The searchfacility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-35 on 31 May 2007. All answers towritten parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website. The searchfacility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

It is imperative thatNHS boards engage with patients and the public,and that their views are fully taken into account, as proposals for service changeare developed. I have made clear that I will introduce a process of independentscrutiny of boards’ proposals before these are issued for public consultation. Iam currently considering how this will be undertaken and will make an announcementsoon. I can confirm, however, that any proposals for significant service changeat the Vale of Leven Hospital will be subject to independent scrutiny.

I have responsibility for makingfinal decisions on any proposals for significant service change. I have made clearthat in considering future proposals I will operate a presumption against centralisationof services. This does not mean that there will be no changes to health servicesin the future. However, any NHS board that submits proposals for service reconfigurationmust persuade me that their case is robust, that all possible alternatives havebeen considered, and that due weight has been given to both patient need and publicopinion.

In coming to a conclusion onany proposals for change from NHS boards that are put before me, I will give fullconsideration to the representations made to me and to the report from the ScottishHealth Council on boards’ engagement and public consultation exercises.

The First Minister has todayconfirmed six full-time appointments, one part-time appointment, one unpaid part-timeappointment, and one short-term appointment until the end of July 2007. All of theseappointments are conditional on satisfactory security, health and reference clearances.The names and specific responsibilities of the special advisers appointed are:

Name	Specific Responsibilities
Duncan Hamilton (part time)	Political adviser to the First Minister
Professor Sir Neil McCormick (part-time unpaid)	Adviser on Europe and external relations
Kevin Pringle	Main political spokesperson and senior adviser on communications issues across all portfolios
Stephen Noon	Senior adviser on policy matters across all portfolios
Noel Dolan	Senior policy adviser to the Deputy First Minister
John McFarlane	Policy adviser, supporting Mr Noon
Jennifer Dempsie	Communications adviser and Parliamentary liaison
Geoff Aberdein	Advice on diary issues and support for parliamentary Liaison Officers
Jennifer Erickson (short-term contract)	Project managing the establishment of the Council of Economic Advisers

 

The estimated total annual salarycosts will be £425,156 subject to a salary review from 1 April 2007. This figureincludes ERNIC but does not include employer pension contributions as specialadvisers have not yet indicated whether they wish to join a Civil Service pensionscheme.