Chamber and committees

The information requested is not held centrally. Palliative care can be provided in a variety of settings, including patient''s homes, hospitals, care homes and in the independent healthcare sector via hospices.

The information requested is not held centrally. A wide range of health professionals are needed to care for patients in palliative care and this care can be provided in a variety of settings including patient''s homes, hospitals, care homes and in the independent health care sector via hospices.

The information requested is not held centrally. However, information showing NHS staff employed by specialty, including palliative medicine, is published annually as part of the workforce census at 30 September each year.

This data for 2009 is available at http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/5896.html for medical staff and http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/5352.html#cns for clinical nurse specialists.

A wide range of health professionals, which includes medical staff and clinical nurse specialists are needed to care for patients in palliative care and this can be provided in a variety of settings including patient''s own homes, hospitals, care homes and in the independent healthcare sector via hospices.

The information requested is not held centrally. A wide range of health professionals are needed to care for patients in palliative care and this care can be provided in a variety of settings including patient''s homes, hospitals, care homes and in the independent healthcare sector via hospices. -w

We have today published the first Efficient Government Outturn Report for the 2008-2011 Efficient Government programme. It shows that efficiency gains of £838.9 million were made in 2008-09, against the target of £534.4 million. We have also today published the fourth iteration of the Efficiency Delivery Plans. Copies of both have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 49739 and 49740) and both will be available on the Scottish Government internet site very soon along with the plans:

www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/11/Outturn2008-09.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk//Publications/2009/11/EDPNovember2009.

I have invited Lord Penrose to consider three additional deaths through the Penrose Inquiry.

I announced the terms of reference of the Penrose Inquiry in January 2009 to investigate the circumstances in which hepatitis C/HIV infection were acquired from NHS treatment with blood and blood products prior to the introduction of a test for hepatitis C in 1991. The terms of reference provided for two deaths, those of the Reverend David Black and Mrs Eileen O''Hara, to be investigated by the inquiry.

Three further deaths will now be considered by the Penrose Inquiry, those of Alexander Black Laing, Neil Mullen and Victor Tamburrini.

The revised terms of reference of the Inquiry will be:

Term of Reference 1:

To investigate the systems in place in Scotland for the collection, treatment, licensing, testing, preparation for supply and supply for use by the NHS of blood and blood products with particular reference to the risks of transmission of the hepatitis C virus and HIV to patients treated by the NHS in Scotland, including the role of government in regulation and setting guidelines and standards.

Term of Reference 2:

To investigate the systems in place for informing patients treated by the NHS in Scotland of the risks associated with the use in their treatment of blood or blood products, with particular reference to the risks of infection with the hepatitis C virus and HIV.

Term of Reference 3:

To investigate the systems in place in Scotland for obtaining consent from, and testing for infection with hepatitis C and HIV, patients treated with blood or blood products, and informing any patients found to be so infected.

Term of Reference 4:

To investigate the systems for recording and monitoring the numbers of NHS patients in Scotland treated with blood and blood products, with particular reference to the numbers exposed to risk of infection with the hepatitis C virus and HIV and the numbers contracting either or both such infections as a consequence of such treatment.

Term of Reference 5:

To examine the circumstances generally in which patients treated by the NHS in Scotland became infected with hepatitis C, HIV, or both through the use of blood or blood products in the course of their treatment, taking account of the development of scientific and clinical understanding and evidence internationally.

Term of Reference 6 (as revised):

To investigate the deaths of Reverend David Black, Mrs Eileen O''Hara, Alexander Black Laing, Neil Mullen and Victor Tamburrini, with particular reference to the circumstances in which they became infected with the hepatitis C virus, HIV or both.

Term of Reference 7:

To investigate the steps taken by those involved in, and those responsible for, the NHS in Scotland, including NHS boards and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS), their officers and employees and associated agencies, once hepatitis C and HIV were identified, to trace individuals who might have become infected with one or both of them as a result of receiving blood or blood products, and to identify any other or further steps that might reasonably have been taken to trace such individuals.

Term of Reference 8:

To investigate the steps taken by those involved in, and those responsible for, the NHS in Scotland including NHS boards and SNBTS, their officers and employees and associated agencies, to prevent the provision of infected blood and blood products.

Term of Reference 9:

To investigate the steps taken by those involved in, and those responsible for, the NHS in Scotland including NHS boards and the SNBTS, their officers, employees and associated agencies to inform individuals who might have received infected blood or blood products of the risks associated with their treatment for themselves and their families, and to offer treatment to any individual at risk, and to identify any other or further steps that might reasonably have been taken to inform and to treat such individuals.

Term of Reference 10:

To examine any particular adverse consequences for patients treated by the NHS in Scotland and their families of infection through blood and blood products with hepatitis C and HIV, including the treatment offered.

Term of Reference 11:

To identify any lessons and implications for the future, and make recommendations.

Term of Reference 12:

To report as soon as practicable.

We do not hold data on the number of applications for the Small Business Bonus Scheme. Earlier this year, we published a report which showed that 655 business properties in West Dunbartonshire benefited under the Scheme in 2008-09, to the value of over £3 million. Five hundred and fifty-four of these qualified for 100 per cent relief and so paid no business rates.

The public inquiry into the outbreak of C difficile at the Vale of Leven hospital will be set up on 1 October 2009. The Right Honourable Lord MacLean has been appointed to chair this Inquiry, to be known as the Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry, and the Instrument of Appointment (Bib. number 48497) and Terms of Reference (Bib. number 48495) have been placed in the Scottish Parliaments Information Centre (SPICe) today. I do not intend to appoint additional panel members. However, Lord MacLean has indicated that he wishes to appoint one or more assessors to assist him during the Inquiry.

It is for Lord MacLean to conduct the inquiry independently. The purpose of this inquiry is to investigate this matter thoroughly, and the necessary resources to do so will be provided to the Inquiry from the Health budget. The Inquiries Act 2005 requires that unnecessary costs be avoided and the Scottish Government will monitor the progress and costs of the Inquiry.

This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0903-01.htm

There are currently nine special adviser full-time appointments. The special advisers and their specific responsibilities are as follows:

Name	Specific Responsibilities
Kevin Pringle	Strategic coordination across all portfolios, political spokesperson and senior adviser on communications issues.
Stephen Noon	Senior adviser on policy matters across all portfolios with emphasis on First Minister''s Questions, Finance, the Economy and the National Conversation.
Noel Dolan	Senior policy adviser to the Deputy First Minister on Health, Wellbeing, Housing and Sport policy and media issues.
Geoff Aberdein	Liaison with First Minister''s Private Office; Adviser on First Minister diary issues; lead on Homecoming and 2014.
Stephen Gethins	Support on policy and communications for Environment and Rural Affairs, Europe and External Relations, Energy and Climate Change.
Colin McAllister	Support on policy and communications for Education, Justice and Culture.
John McFarlane	Policy adviser; Parliamentary liaison working with Minister for Parliamentary Business and Parliamentary Liaison Officers.
Will McLeish	Political spokesperson, advice on communications issues and liaison with broadcasters.
Stuart Nicolson	Political spokesperson and advice on communications issues.

The number of salaried special advisers in each pay band from 1 April 2009 is:

Pay Band	Pay Range	Number of Salaried Special Advisers
1	£39,445 - £52,904	5
2	£51,041 - £67,709	1
3	£65,017 - £83,963	3
3 (premium)	£83,549 - 100,942	0
4	£86,965 - 104,462	0

The total salary cost for the 11 salaried special advisers in post in 2008-09, including earnings related national insurance contributions and employer pension contributions, was £617,766.