Chamber and committees

The following table details the number of people receiving a "meals on wheels" service in each local authority. These figures are based on results of a voluntary survey of local authorities. Estimates for missing values have been included in the Scotland totals. Figures relating to the Scottish unitary authorities commenced in 1997. Since 1998, this survey is conducted on a three-yearly basis. The figures for 2001 will be published later this year.

Meals-on-Wheels Service 31 March 1998

Local Authority	Number of Clients
	1997	1998
Aberdeen City	503	343
Aberdeenshire	939	718
Angus	419	427
Argyll & Bute	319	305
Clackmannanshire	278	247
Dumfries & Galloway	577	660
Dundee City	147	n/a
East Ayrshire	866	n/a
East Dunbartonshire	187	153
East Lothian	962	1,035
East Renfrewshire	248	165
Edinburgh, City of	950	1,003
Falkirk	n/a	n/a
Fife	1,792	2,261
Glasgow City	2,008	n/a
Highland	1,281	1,387
Inverclyde	214	225
Midlothian	290	271
Moray	603	620
North Ayrshire	527	375
North Lanarkshire	802	1,472
Orkney Islands	8	7
Perth & Kinross	325	339
Renfrewshire	384	364
Scottish Borders	463	468
Shetland Islands	232	225
South Ayrshire	429	396
South Lanarkshire	n/a	850
Stirling	421	273
West Dunbartonshire	204	335
West Lothian	n/a	n/a
Western Isles	n/a	0
Scotland1	18,068	18,975

Source: SEHD, Community Care Statistics, H2 Return

Notes:

1. Scotland totals have been estimated.

The need for concerted action in this area was highlighted in the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology's Report Resistance to Antibiotics and other Microbial Agent. In response, the UK Government gave a commitment to develop a comprehensive UK Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy and in line with this, a UK strategy document was issued earlier this year.

In order to provide further focus on action in Scotland, a draft Action Plan for Scotland was issued for consultation at the same time. This covers three key inter-related elements namely surveillance, prudent antimicrobial use in human, animal and agricultural practice, and infection control. The Action Plan is currently being reviewed in the light of the comments received as part of this exercise and a revised version will be issued to a wide range of interests in due course.

Also, in December 1999, as the first phase of an education campaign, the Executive launched publicity materials to further raise awareness of this issue. These included posters and leaflets that were circulated widely to GP practices, dental practitioners and pharmacists to help bring the issue to the attention of the general public. On 20 December this year, this message was reinforced at a press conference to increase public awareness of the problem.

The Scottish Executive Health Department is advised in this area by the Advisory Group on Infection. The Advisory Group has set up a sub-group on Hospital Acquired Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance, which is currently considering a framework for antimicrobial resistance surveillance systems in Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12144.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-2597 on 30 November 2000.

Details of the review will be announced in the New Year.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12144.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12144.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12144.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12144.

The Deputy First Minister has set up a working group to make recommendations about how a "Community Legal Service" might be established in Scotland. The group is broadly based and will report to him in October 2001.