Chamber and committees

This is a matter for Grampian Health Board.The answer I provided to S1W-11227 showed that the median waiting time for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant neurologist following GP referral in the Grampian Health Board area, in the year ended 31 March 1999, was 63 days (not 37 days). Provisional figures for the nine months to 31 December 2000 indicate that this performance has improved to 61 days, a better performance than the average across Scotland.

Health Boards received an average increase in Unified Budgets of 6.5% for 2001-02 to meet the healthcare needs of their local populations. This uplift is considered to be adequate to cover in year pressures on prescribing expenditure including those arising from the introduction of new therapies. Spending decisions are for Boards to make in the light of local needs, within a framework of national standards and priorities set by Ministers.An additional £3 million was allocated over 3 years to Health Boards in April 1999 for smoking cessation services, including the provision of one week's free NRT to smokers least able to afford to buy these products.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15083.

The Code of Practice on Openness for the NHS in Scotland makes a presumption of openness and accessibility of information to the public but also permits some information to be withheld. This includes information about internal discussion and advice. Health Boards are encouraged to make public as much information as possible about decision making, but it is for individual Boards to decide what should be published. In doing so, they need to ensure that publication will not hinder frank internal debate or the proper and effective operation of the organisation.The Scottish Executive does not monitor operation of the Code, nor does it have any plans to require Health Boards to make public information about meetings of internal committees. Health Boards, and other NHSScotland organisations, are aware of their responsibilities under the Code, one of which is to publish the name of the individual in their organisation who has responsibility for the operation of the Code.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15083.

We welcome the publication by Universities Scotland of the Access to Achievement and the Action for Inclusion reports. We agree that partnership between higher education institutions, further education colleges, local authorities, schools and other providers of learning is necessary in order to widen participation in higher education by those from currently under-represented groups. While most of the points in the action plan are primarily for the sector, we will continue to play our part to help achieve this aim.

The introduction of a UK tobacco regulatory authority would be a matter for the UK Government. The regulation of tobacco advertising is, however, for the Scottish Parliament to determine.

The Scottish Executive believes that the outcome of the last round of discussions on EU Structural Funds represents a good deal for Scotland and the UK as well as the EU as a whole. We are now seeking to build on that experience to make sure that Scottish interests are fully accounted for in the wider debate now beginning concerning regional policy and enlargement.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14568.

As I announced at the debate on Structural Funds on 5 April, we are already in close contact with the UK Government and the European Union on the future of Structural Funds following the enlargement of the European Union. Our aim is to make sure that Scottish interests are fully accounted for in the wider debate concerning Structural Funds and related enlargement issues.