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We recognise that complementary therapies may offer relief to some people living with long term conditions including chronic pain, however, the Scottish Government does not fund or deliver complementary therapies directly.

It is open to NHS boards to make complementary therapy services available to their populations based on an assessment of needs within their respective areas. It is therefore for individual NHS boards to determine whether to make complementary therapies available in accordance with national and local priorities and in line with the health needs of their local population.

Guidance HDL (2005) 37 issued to boards in August 2005 sets out the framework for the provision of these services across NHSScotland. The guidance is available online and can be found at: http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/sehd/mels/hdl2005_37.pdf

Clinicians in NHSScotland can only refer a patient for complementary therapy where their NHS board agrees to the referral. In such instances the treatment is provided free of charge.

Members of the public are free to use complementary therapy services privately if they choose.

The Scottish Government has had no direct discussions with the private healthcare sector, who have had the input into the work of the Department of Health's Expert Group. However, we will initiate such discussions as we consider to be necessary.

My officials have been in regular contact with colleagues in both Department of Health and The Medical and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA), most recently 6 January when the Chief Medical Officers in the UK discussed the outcome of the expert review group chaired by Sir Bruce Keogh.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-04844 on 16 January 2012. 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 has advised women that there is no evidence for the routine removal of PIP silicone breast implants but where a woman has concerns about their implant they should contact the surgeon or organisation who put the implant in.

Further information and advice has been made available on the NHS 24 and NHS Inform websites.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-04844 on 16 January 2012. 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 S4F-00931 on 12 January 2012. The answer to the First Ministers parliamentary question is available on the parliament’s website, the official report can be viewed at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=6658&mode=html#iob_60660.

There are no reports of the rupture of breast implants provided by NHSScotland since 2007-08. We have no information on the number of implants provided by the private healthcare sector which have ruptured.

Under Section 4 of the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011, there will be one national Children’s Panel.

Discussions with local authorities regarding the establishment and membership of the Area Support Teams are continuing.