Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has already taken action to encourage pupils and schools to use the public library network.

The government funds the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) and they have a programme of initiatives designed to increase the number of pupils and schools using public libraries.

Education officials and SLIC will meet to discuss developing the existing programme.

Audit Scotland figures show that library users, in terms of visits to libraries, increased between 2006 and 2009. The following table has further details.

The Public Library Quality Improvement Matrix (PLQIM) was introduced by the Scottish Government in 2006. This is a self-evaluation tool providing local authorities with an opportunity for local library services to demonstrate to the public the quality of library provisions and the importance of the range and diversity of the services provided to the communities they serve. The self-evaluation process is supported by a system of peer verification and is reported via the website of the Scottish Library and Information Council www.slainte.org.uk.

The next meeting of the Standing Literacy Commission will be held on Wednesday 31 August 2011.

The note of the Standing Literacy Commission meeting held on 18 May 2011 will be agreed at the next meeting of the commission and made available as soon as possible after that.

Since its launch in October 2007, Glow has continued to evolve to meet the demands of users as new technologies emerge.

More than 1 million resources have been added to Glow, being shared with the education community. Since their launch this session more than 13,000 pupils have created a Glow blog to use as an e-portfolio of their work – building a record of their achievements over time as they grow, and sharing these achievements with the wider world.

Glow has been adopted by all stakeholder groups – all 32 local authorities, Initial Teacher Education centres and National Education agencies use its services. Glow has 400,000 registered live users and is frequently accessed by more than 140,000 users per month.

The Scottish Government is reviewing the procurement of Glow Futures following receipt of proposals from organisations invited to participate in competitive dialogue. Progress with the procurement can be followed at the dedicated communication hub: http://glowfutur.es/.

The cost to fund tuition fees for Scottish students studying at higher education institutions in England is affected by many variables. These include the university attended, the course studied, and whether the student takes out a tuition fee loan.

Implementation of national clinical guidelines is the responsibility of each NHS board and is an essential part of clinical governance. Local mechanisms should therefore be in place to review care provided against guideline recommendations. The reasons for any differences should be assessed and addressed where appropriate. Local arrangements should then be made to implement the guideline in individual hospitals, units and practices.

SIGN has also made tools, including a quick reference guide, an iPhone and android compatible smartphone application and widely disseminated audit criteria available to support NHS boards with implementation.

We have for some years advocated a Managed Clinical Network approach to services for those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The approach gives a strong voice to the voluntary sector and clinicians in developing services while promoting multi-disciplinary working, with extended roles for nurses and allied health professionals. It also encourages the development of integrated care pathways across primary and secondary care.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has recently set up a Rheumatology MCN, with pump-priming funding from the Scottish Government and we hope that its successes will encourage other NHS boards to adopt the MCN approach.

The Scottish Government is in the process of developing a National Musculoskeletal (MSK) Programme with the aim of significant service re-design to improve the delivery of MSK services. Rheumatology services are integral to this model.

The model is currently being piloted in NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Lothian, where integrated multi-disciplinary teams working within community settings, are carrying out screening (using evidence-based protocols) and onward referral mechanisms to the most appropriate service.

We are also working in collaboration with NHS Education for Scotland to develop advanced practice for all health practioners working in the musculoskeletal field. Part of this training will include screening for rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatological conditions to ensure appropriate intervention and signposting to relevant services.

Following a request from the Scottish Government, the Scottish Public Health Network (SPHN) is updating the Public Health Institute for Scotland (PHIS) report Rheumatoid arthritis in adults: Gaining health from effective treatment (2002), as part of its current work plan.

The overall aim of the project is to identify ways in which NHSScotland and its partner organisations can improve the quality and delivery of current services, for people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The first part of the final report will be published in the autumn and the health economic analysis will be published in early 2012.

The Scottish Society for Rheumatology’s web-based audit programme is also currently undertaking audit work which will inform the improvement of RA services.