Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-13722 on 11 June 2008. 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/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-13752 on 11 June 2008. 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/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-13752 on 11 June 2008. 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/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-13752 on 11 June 2008. 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/webapp/wa.search.

The Scottish Government and the Department for Work and Pensions in their capacity as joint sponsors of the ICL public inquiry have corresponded and had discussions on a range of issues relating to the inquiry. Specifically since 14 May 2008, Scottish ministers wrote to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on 20 May 2008 about an issue raised at a meeting between the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and representatives of the families and the Secretary of State replied to that letter on 4 June 2008.

Preliminary work has been undertaken to establish a UK randomised control trial entitled “A pilot study for a multi-centre randomised control trial of the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of bilateral cochlear implementation compared with unilateral cochlear implantation for severely to profoundly hearing impaired children”. This work has been led by Professor Quentin Summerfield, University of York. The Scottish Cochlear Implantation Service at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock has received ethical approval to participate in the trial. At least four other UK centres have also agreed to participate.

The trial is now awaiting publication by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) of the technology appraisal on cochlear implants for severe to profound deafness in children and adults. This report is expected to be published in September 2008.

If the NICE report recommends bilateral implantation universally, the study will not be required. If a trial is recommended by the report, it is possible that the original proposal may need to be amended or extended. In light of this uncertainty, it is not possible to say at this time how long it will take before results are published.

Currently there are no waiting times targets for children to be assessed prior to receiving speech and language therapy. Patients are seen on the basis of clinical need.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that patients have rapid access to the full range of services they need from the NHS. We will continue to look at other services which can be brought within waiting times targets. Meantime we are supporting the NHS in Scotland to improve access to services not presently covered by such targets.

Officials from the Scottish Government and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde continue to liaise at regular intervals on this matter. Our current information is that the board are continuing with their deliberations but no decisions have been made.

The Scottish Government position remains that it is for NHS boards to determine how occupational health services are provided. Any transition to a shared services model is a journey that needs careful planning and execution, and requires comprehensive understanding of the delivery process including customer requirements and delivery objectives. We understand that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are continuing with their consideration of these issues, and as no decisions have been taken, it is not possible to offer a view on what the outcome of their deliberations may be.

The Scottish Housing Regulator’s assessment of Mazars’ report was released on Friday 6 June. A copy is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 45780) and on the Scottish Housing Regulator’s website www.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk.

Public bodies in Scotland work in partnership to provide support to creative industries.

The enterprise bodies and the activities of the business gateway focus on accelerating economic growth through key sectors and companies with particular growth potential.

The Scottish Arts Council supports artists and art organisations to fulfil their creative and business potential. Scottish Screen seeks to develop business and skills in Scotland''s screen industries.

In future, we propose that Creative Scotland be the leading public body advocating for the creative industries. It will evolve complementary tailored services for creative entrepreneurs in the first stages of business development, which dove tail with those offered by the business gateway and the enterprise bodies.

In order to build on existing joint working we will also establish a creative economy forum. The forum will develop further a shared framework for the support and development of the creative economy, based on the core functions described above.