Chamber and committees

The Scottish Health Survey of 1995, commissioned by the then Scottish Office, found associations between socio-economic status, defined by occupational social class, and a range of indicators of quality and adequacy of diet. Other UK surveys, such as the National Food Survey (1996) and the National Diet and Nutrition Studies (1995) have found similar associations.

Copies of all of these publications are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).

The results of the most recent Scottish Health Survey (in 1998) will be published later this year and will inform policy to reduce health inequalities in Scotland.

There are no national, mandatory standards for the layout or content of medical records in the Primary or Secondary care sectors. The recording of nutritional information is therefore at the discretion of the patient's clinical team.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

In 1998, the Scottish Prison Service published its Health Care Standards for Prisoners. Earlier this month, we launched Partnership and Co-ordination: SPS Action on Drugs. Both of these initiatives are supported by the necessary resources.

In 1997 Sir Donald Acheson, the former Chief Medical Officer for England, was commissioned by the Secretary of State for Health to review and summarise inequalities in health in England and to identify priority areas for the development of policies to reduce them. The resulting report and its policy recommendations were, therefore, of specific relevance to England. However, the report was used generally to help to inform the approach of the Scottish White Paper, Towards a Healthier Scotland, which has tackling health inequalities as its overarching aim. The Scottish Executive has adopted that White Paper as the basis for its public health strategy and is working with a range of partners to implement it. A copy of the White Paper is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 3036).

The most recent National Diet and Nutrition Survey studied young people between the ages of four and 18. The only previous national survey of diet among school-age children was carried out in 1983, and included only 11-12 and 14-15-year-olds. The new survey therefore provides comprehensive, up-to-date information about the dietary habits and nutritional status of the current generation of young people. Such information is essential to gain an accurate picture of young people in Scotland so that the Executive can develop and monitor effective food, nutrition and health education programmes which properly meet the needs of all sections of the community.

The survey was carried out on a national basis across Britain. I am advised by the Food Standards Agency Scotland that they were not required to contribute to the overall cost of £3.0 million. Similarly, no contribution was required from the Scottish Executive Health Department.

The Scottish Executive has adopted the White Paper, Towards a Healthier Scotland, which was produced after extensive consultation throughout Scotland, as the basis for its strategy. A copy of the White Paper is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 3036).

The report of the Expert Advisory Group provides a robust evidence base for the management and delivery of infertility services in Scotland which includes recommendations on eligibility criteria. It will also provide equity of access to services and treatment. The report has issued to all health boards and NHS Trusts in Scotland who have been asked to work towards implementation of the report as resources permit. At the same time health boards and NHS Trusts have been asked to bear in mind their existing clinical priorities which are cancer, coronary heart disease/stroke and mental health.

This information is not held centrally.

Whether to provide influenza vaccination has long been regarded as a matter of good clinical practice. Beyond the fees and allowances which GPs receive to provide general medical services for their patients, no set fee is currently payable although in practice many health boards have previously offered some form of additional payment to GPs for flu vaccination. Arrangements for 2000-01 are currently under consideration.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-5669.