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NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde commenced their review of laboratory services in the Clyde area at the end of May 2011.

The review is at a very early stage and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde needs to undertake considerable further work and engagement with stakeholders before finalising robust options for formal consideration.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-753 on 24 June 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

On 14 June 2011 I had a telephone conversation with Paul Burstow MP, Minister of State for Care Services.

During the discussion the following matters were discussed: general update on Southern Cross’s position, ensuring the lines of communication between the two administrations remained effective, and the meeting due to be held in London on 15 June 2011 between Southern Cross, its landlords and representatives of the banks with key interests.

In addition, Scottish Government officials are in regular contact with officials at the UK Department of Health, and I am kept fully informed of the discussions.

Peacock Medicare Ltd is also the provider of Woodlands Nursing Home and Peacock Nursing Home, both in Livingston. The Care Commission received one complaint about Woodlands Nursing Home in November 2008 and four complaints about Peacock Nursing Home between 2007 and 2011 which were fully investigated at the time.

Since becoming operational on 1 April 2011 Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS) has received a further complaint about the Peacock Nursing Home. Following complaints investigations, three requirements were placed on this service. SCSWIS inspected Peacock Nursing Home on 27 May 2011 to check progress on improvement.

SCSWIS, like the Care Commission before it, as the independent sector regulator, will continue to monitor closely such services as part of its quality assurance role. I am confident that SCSWIS will take all necessary steps to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of residents are safeguarded.

Information of this nature and information relating to SCSWIS’ inspection processes and its agreed inspection plan for 2011-12 is available on SCSWIS website at:

http://www.scswis.com/index.php.

The Scottish Government expects all care services in Scotland, including care homes, to provide good quality care. It is the responsibility of every provider to ensure that they meet that expectation. Where a service is being graded as “weak” in any area, Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland will take the necessary steps to ensure improvements are made and sustained and the safety and wellbeing of residents are safeguarded.

On 6 June 2011, I met with the Regional Director for Scotland and Northern Ireland from Southern Cross.

On 13 June 2011, I met the Chief Executive of Southern Cross, and his Regional Director for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The following matters were discussed at both meetings; ensuring the continuity and quality of care for all Southern Cross care home residents in Scotland; the wellbeing of residents and staff in Southern Cross Homes during this period of uncertainty; the continuing partnership approach to contingency planning in Scotland.

Castlebeck Care (Teasdale) Limited run four services in Scotland, three are registered with Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS): Ranaich House, in Dunblane; Ellen Mhor, in Dundee; and Trinity House, in Lockerbie. The fourth service, Monroe House in Dundee, is an independent health care service registered with Health Improvement Scotland (HIS).

Ranaich House is currently the subject of intensive inspection and monitoring by SCSWIS and its inspectors as part of SCSWIS’ assurance process. I understand from SCSWIS that Ellen Mhor and Trinity House have a good regulatory history of performance and will be inspected on an unannounced basis according to the schedule in SCSWIS’ inspection plan. Further, SCSWIS will carry out random sampling of good performing care services to check if performance is sustained over time.

Monroe House will continue to be regulated and inspected by HIS.

As the First Minister explained during First Minister’s Question Time on 2 June 2011, Edinburgh City Council received a complaint about the standards of care within Elsie Inglis on 25 March 2011 and the regulator undertook a full inspection in April 2011. On 12 May 2011 the City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian put their own staff into the home. This is how regulation is meant to work.

The Scottish Government was made aware of the situation on 17 May 2011 and immediately made contact with the regulatory body, Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland.

I understand from Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland that concerns were first raised with the Care Commission in a complaint on 9 November 2010. The complaint related to communication and general health and welfare issues. The complaint was investigated by the Care Commission and overall the complaint was partially upheld.

Since the events which took place at the Elsie Inglis Nursing Home currently form part of an investigation by Lothian and Borders Police we are limited in what we can say.