Chamber and committees

Increasing awareness amongst healthcare professionals of the symptoms of Lyme disease is an on-going priority for the Lyme Borreliosis Group, which is part of the Scottish Health Protection Network (SHPN). The group has produced a suite of educational resources to aid healthcare professionals in the early detection and treatment of Lyme disease which can be accessed here:https://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/education-and-training/by-theme-initiative/public-health/health-protection/gastrointestinal-infection-and-zoonoses/ticks-and-lyme-disease.aspx

On 14 June 2019 the Chief Medical Officer wrote to all NHS Health Boards, including Infectious Disease Consultants and GP Practices highlighting the availability of these resources. The letter shares current sources of public facing advice and information on Lyme disease and provides links to current guidance on diagnosis and management.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-21594 on 6 March 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can be found at: https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-24338 on 1 August 2019, from Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what the total spend on alcohol and drug partnerships by integration authorities was in 2018-19.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can be found at: https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

ISD publish waiting times for endoscopies as part of the Diagnostics Waiting Times publication. The data published gives the number of people who are still waiting at the end of each month, and does not provide the completed waiting times for this test. Performance against the 6 week standard is only available from quarter ending June 2009.

All diagnostics data can be found on their website http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Waiting-Times/Publications/index.asp

At the moment, there are no plans to extend the age range of women invited to take part in the Breast Screening Programme in Scotland. The Scottish Government is advised on all aspects of screening by the UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC), an independent expert group who assess screening programmes against a robust set of criteria, before advising the NHS and Ministers in the UK. The UKNSC continues to monitor and consider all available evidence and recommendations and this will include the results of the cluster-randomised trial currently underway in England, when these are published.

The Breast Screening Programme in England is currently running a cluster randomised trial which is looking to extend the age range to 47-73. The trial began in 2009 and is still recruiting women. The main results of this trial are expected in the 2020s.

This information is not held centrally.

Between 2002 and 2011, the Care Commission had responsibility for the regulation and registration of care homes for people with alcohol and drug misuse problems. From 1 April 2011, this was the responsibility of the Care Inspectorate with Healthcare Improvement Scotland regulating independent healthcare services in Scotland.

This information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. The member may wish to consider contacting individual health boards to obtain this information.

The following tables show the number of people from Scotland who have received elective or emergency treatment as an inpatient or day case in hospitals in other parts of the UK in each year since 1999. The data across the UK is not directly comparable due to differences in data definitions. Information on the number of people from Scotland treated outside the UK is not collected centrally.

Information is provided in the following table on the number of finished admission episodes for patients resident in Scotland who have received healthcare from the NHS in England since 1999. NHS England were not able to provide figures for 2018-19 at present, these will be available mid-September.

The Scottish Government currently has no plans to develop a standalone strategy for the early identification of and support for people with ADHD. However, we recognise the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, and we are committed to improving access to CAMHS and psychological therapies for all those who need it. It is also important to note that the Vision and ambitions of the Mental Health Strategy articulate a population-level approach to improving mental health in Scotland, which apply equally to anyone with ADHD.

The Children and Young People’s Taskforce published its recommendations on 4 July 2019 which included a focus on investments that prioritise early intervention and prevention approaches. The Taskforce’s recommendations will be taken forward by the Children & Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Programme Board. The Board will be chaired jointly by the Scottish Government and COSLA senior officials, and will report directly to the Minister for Mental Health and the COSLA Health and Social Care and Children and Young People spokespersons. There will be a focus on prevention, early intervention and promoting good mental health which will be underpinned by the values and principles of GIRFEC and will be responsive to local needs and systems. The first meeting of the new Board will take place on 22 August.

This data is not held centrally.