Chamber and committees

SIGN launched Guideline 123 on the Management of Early Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) launched on 10 February, provides advice and recommendations on the early diagnosis and management of RA. SIGN expects that the guideline will help to ensure both early diagnosis and assessment of disease activity and early referral to a rheumatology specialist. SIGN also expects that the guideline will help to ensure early initiation of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy to control symptoms, signs and radiological damage, monitor disease severity, response to treatment and to modify treatment where necessary, multi-disciplinary team involvement and encourage active involvement of patients in managing their RA.

Implementation of national clinical guidelines is the responsibility of each NHS board and is an essential part of clinical governance. 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 the guideline’s implementation.

The Scottish Government is also 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 re-design focuses on how both access to services and assessment procedures can be managed by a multi-professional team working in a community setting and ensure onward referral to the most appropriate service. The model is currently being trialled in NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Lothian and has the potential to improve access to diagnosis and treatment, provide faster access to expert advice on physiotherapy, reduce GP consultancy and speed up onward referral to orthopaedic surgery.

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

Tuition fee loans have been a feature of the student support structure for Scottish-domiciled students studying at higher education institutions in the rest of the United Kingdom for several years. We will continue to provide access to full tuition fee loans for all students studying in the rest of the United Kingdom.

Access to, and the decision whether to study in England is an issue for the individual given the support mechanisms in place at the time.

Higher education institutions in England are autonomous bodies and it will be for them to put in place access measures that will encourage and support able Scottish students from non-traditional backgrounds thus ensuring fairness and parity of opportunities for learners across the UK. Funding support for Scottish students studying outside Scotland is under review but we anticipate providing full tuition fee loans to those students who choose to study in England to cover the higher rates that will be charged from 2012-13 onwards.

The Scottish Ministers, in determining East Renfrewshire Council’s decision to close Robslee Primary School, will consider all evidence relating to the Council’s statutory obligations under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, and whether these have been fulfilled.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-1622 on 4 August 2011. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-1622 on 4 August 2011. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The Scottish Government wholly funds the national anti-bullying service, respectme and will continue to support Childline to provide the Bullying Helpline. We will also continue to engage with relevant stakeholders via the Scottish Anti-bullying Steering Group which aims to steer, co-ordinate and promote developments in anti-bullying work to make sure Scotland’s approach to anti-bullying is comprehensive, effective and cohesive. The Positive Behaviour Team (newly located within Education Scotland) will carry on their work with schools and local authorities on a range of approaches to improve behaviour and relationships, including the ongoing implementation of A National Approach to Anti-bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People.

Ministers have already agreed a National Approach for Anti-Bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People, which was developed in partnership with the Scottish Anti-Bullying Steering Group. The work of the Scottish Anti-Bullying Steering Group is framed within the National Approach and supports its ongoing implementation. It is for officials to act as a conduit between ministers and the group on policy and other issues. Therefore, ministers do not meet directly with the Scottish Anti-Bullying Steering Group.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S4W-1507, answered on 2 August 2011. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Developed in partnership with the Scottish Anti-bullying Steering Group and published by the Scottish Government in November 2010, A National Approach to Anti-bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People makes clear that it is essential for organisations to record and monitor incidents of bullying to ensure that appropriate response and follow-up has been issued. The National Approach also confirms that the recording, monitoring and analysis of bullying is best carried out locally where it can be understood and acted upon by local organisations, as well as providing feedback on the effectiveness of anti-bullying policy and practice. It is for local authorities to decide how best to record and monitor within the context of local circumstances.