- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 25 June 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 19 July 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take should the North Highland College implement the proposals to stop the roof slating and tiling course at the college’s Alness campus.
Answer
I understand that the individuals concerned are studying as part of a modern apprenticeship programme, support for which is a matter for Skills Development Scotland. I have asked the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to the member.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 June 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 23 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff in NHS (a) Highland, (b) Grampian, (c) Orkney, (d) Shetland and (e) Western Isles will have or have had their contracts terminated in order to reduce staff numbers in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09; (iii) 2009-10 and (iv) beyond 2010.
Answer
While boards receive more funding than ever before, it is right for them to look critically at service delivery to ensure efficiency and best value for taxpayers money, and to consider how services should be staffed as patterns of care change for the good (e.g. more day care; more community based care; shorter hospital stays).
All boards have confirmed that they would expect to manage the bulk of any workforce reductions through normal turnover and that there will be no compulsory redundancies.
There are of course a number of situations where staff will have their contract terminated, and not receive redundancy pay, as part of normal management practice by NHS boards. These situations will include staff coming to the end of their fixed term contract, staff who have been subject to disciplinary proceedings or staff who have volunteered to leave the organisation.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 June 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 23 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive how many short-term contracts are not being renewed in NHS (a) Highland, (b) Grampian, (c) Orkney, (d) Shetland and (e) Western Isles and whether this includes (i) doctors, (ii) nurses, (iii) nursing support staff, (iv) midwives, (v) administration workers, (vi) administration support staff and (vii) other employees.
Answer
This information is not centrally available.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 June 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 23 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff who will have their contracts terminated as a result of the projected reduction in the NHS workforce are not eligible for a redundancy payment.
Answer
I refer to the member to the answer to question S3W-34538 on 23 June 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.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 June 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 23 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive, of the projected 108 job losses within NHS Highland, how many staff will be redeployed to alternative posts.
Answer
This information is not available centrally.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 June 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 23 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the projected staff reduction by NHS Highland of 108 jobs, which includes 30 nurses, nursing support staff and midwives, 58 administration workers and 14 administrative support staff, will have a detrimental effect on patient care.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-34542 on 23 June 2010. All the 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: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 June 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 23 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of NHS boards terminating employee contracts in order to reduce staff numbers.
Answer
While boards receive more funding than ever before, it is right for them to look critically at service delivery to ensure efficiency and best value for taxpayers money, and to consider how services should be staffed as patterns of care change for the good (e.g. more day care; more community based care; shorter hospital stays).
All boards have confirmed that they would expect to manage the bulk of any workforce reductions through normal turnover and that there will be no compulsory redundancies.
There are of course a number of situations where staff will have their contract terminated, and not receive redundancy pay, as part of normal management practice by NHS boards. These situations will include staff coming to the end of their fixed term contract, staff who have been subject to disciplinary proceedings or staff who have volunteered to leave the organisation.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 June 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 23 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake a review to establish how decisions are taken when staff numbers are reduced in an NHS board area; what impact this will have on patient care; when these decisions are taken outwith the partnership arrangements, and how many staff have or will be involved.
Answer
The National Scrutiny Group, as announced on 3 June 2010, will subject board workforce plans to ongoing scrutiny to ensure that they do not impact adversely on the quality of patient care. This group will liaise closely with local Area Partnership Forums and raise any issues of concern with the Scottish Partnership Forum and directly with me.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 June 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 16 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive when The Carers Strategy for Scotland will be published.
Answer
The Scottish Government has been developing the carers and young carers strategy in partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, working closely with health boards, carer organisations and other stakeholders. We will publish the strategy once we have agreed it with COSLA, our strategy partners.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 June 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 15 June 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive what input from the Parliament it expects in the development of the carers strategy.
Answer
In the development of the draft Carers Strategy for Scotland, I have taken into account views expressed by MSPs during debates in Parliament on carers'' issues and by members of the Equal Opportunities Committee.
