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Scottish ministers are keen to develop Scotland''s energy interconnections to the UK, Ireland and Europe. These connections are the key building blocks that will transport and export Scotland''s renewable energy to national electricity markets in the UK and Europe.

Delivering this vision will require collaborative approaches to interconnection between countries, regions and members states towards a strategic, co-ordinated and connected grid network. It will also require significant and sustained effort with other countries and regions to standardise electricity transmission and regulation and integrate energy markets. We are working closely with UK and Irish Governments and a range of other EU partners on this.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28575 on 12 November 2009. 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.

The Scottish Government has regular discussions with the UK Government and the governments of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales on a wide range of energy policy issues. In particular, we are further developing our discussions on possible areas for closer joint working and interconnection through the energy grid and marine workstreams of the British Irish Council.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27997 on 4 November 2009. 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.

Table 1: Patients aged 17 years and over referred to the scoliosis service April to September 2009:

Referrals Over 17 Years	April	May	June	July	August	September
Ayrshire and Arran
Borders						1
Dumfries and Galloway
Fife			1	1
Forth Valley			1			2
Grampian		1		1
Greater Glasgow and Clyde			1	1	1	4
Highlands		2	1	1
Lanarkshire						1
Lothian	3	5	4	1	1	4
Orkney
Shetland
Tayside			2		1
Western Isles
Total	3	8	10	5	3	12

 

The criteria for the adult scoliosis service were clarified in July 2009 when the decision was taken to set the transition point between the paediatric and adult services at age 17. The figures supplied for S3W-25112 were provided before this decision was taken and included seven patients who were aged 16 years. For clarity, the table includes the number of patients aged 17 years and over who were referred during the period April to September.

To date, no patients referred specifically to the adult scoliosis service have had an operation. During the first phase of the introduction of the adult scoliosis service, clinical priority has been given to younger adult patients (17 to 20 years). A number of such patients had been referred to the paediatric scoliosis service prior to April 2009. Given the experience and expertise of the staff working in the paediatric service and the need to develop the skills of the staff based at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, all operations to date have been performed at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children Edinburgh. Between April and September 2009, 11 adult patients (17 to 20 years) have had an operation.

Table 1: Surgical Operations for Scoliosis in Patients Aged Over 17 Years Since 1 April 2009

NHS Board	April	May	June	July	August	September
Ayrshire and Arran						1
Borders
Dumfries and Galloway
Fife			2
Forth Valley
Grampian
Greater Glasgow and Clyde				1	1	1
Highlands
Lanarkshire				1
Lothian			1	1		1
Orkney
Shetland
Tayside					1
Western Isles
Total	0	0	3	3	2	3

 

The adult scoliosis service in NHS Lothian is covered by our waiting time targets. The current waiting time standards for both outpatient consultation following referral from a general practitioner and for inpatient and day case treatment is 15 weeks and these will reduce to 12 weeks from 31 March 2010. The 12 week outpatient waiting time will also be extended at that time to include referrals not only from general practitioners but also other sources such as consultant-to-consultant referrals. It should however be recognised that due to the case complexity of these scoliosis cases and the high standard of clinical care required, it may not always be possible to deliver the waiting time standards as it is not possible to offer the treatment elsewhere within the United Kingdom within a shorter wait. I have been given an assurance that every effort is being made by NHS Lothian to reduce waiting times for this service and all available clinical capacity is being fully utilised.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27997 on 4 November 2009. 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27997 on 4 November 2009. 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27997 on 4 November 2009. 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.