Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15200 on 23 May 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Based on information from the Public Contracts Scotland portal, the information requested is set out in the following table:

* 2010 figures are for October to December only as this is when reporting functionality on the size and location of suppliers became available in Public Contracts Scotland.

** Scotland-based and employee numbers according to the information provided by suppliers when registering on Public Contracts Scotland. Small enterprises are those with under 50 employees.

*** Medium sized enterprises are those with 50 – 249 employees.

The Children and Young People’s Allergy Network was established in April 2011 to strengthen and develop specialist services for children with severe allergies. The network has recurring funding from 2011-12 for a lead clinician and administrator. An application for the formalisation of the network’s future status as a national managed clinical network will be considered by the National Specialist Services Committee in August 2013.

The Scottish Government currently has no plans to establish an adult managed clinical network for allergy. NHS boards have statutory responsibility and accountability for the delivery of services. Updated guidance on the role of managed clinical networks was issued to NHS boards in:

http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2012_29.pdf.

The latest official statistics for enterprises operating in Scotland are available from the Scottish Government Businesses in Scotland 2012 publication. The publication shows that: As at March 2012, there were 56,720 enterprises in the construction sector. Of these, 99.8 per cent were classed as either small or medium in size.

The Children and Young People’s Allergy Network has recurring funding from 2011-12 for a lead clinician and administrator. An application for the formalisation of the network’s future status as a national managed clinical network will be considered by the National Specialist Services Committee in August 2013.

The guidance on the Administration of Medicines in Schools makes it clear that It is for NHS boards to ensure that appropriate agreements are in place with education authorities, which determine the respective responsibilities of each in relation to the administration of medicines in schools (local protocols and procedures, including training). NHS boards, education authorities. and schools should work in co-operation to determine need and plan and co-ordinate effective local provision. Children will be advised on managing their medication by their health professional.

Information on the number of pupils with asthma or a severe allergy are not collected or held centrally.

As the employer of staff in schools who administer medication to pupils this is a matter for education authorities. The guidance on the administration of medicines in schools makes clear that it is for education authorities to ensure that their insurance/indemnification arrangements provide full cover for staff who volunteer to administer medication within the scope of their employment.

Pupils individual health care needs, and the plans to meet these healthcare needs, which include emergency procedures, determine the medication which is held in schools. The specific information requested is not held centrally.

The Scottish Government has committed to review the guidance on the Administration of Medicines in Schools following the conclusion of the review of guidance on children unable to attend school due to ill health. This review is due to conclude in January 2014. It is intended that work on the review of the guidance on Administration of Medicines will begin in March 2014 and revised guidance made available in during 2014.