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A three year independent evaluation of quit4u, commissioned and managed by Health Scotland was published on 8 May 2012 and can be accessed at http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/5827.aspx.

The evaluation found that quit4u was both an effective and cost-effective approach to encouraging people living in areas of deprivation to quit smoking. Quit4u appears to be particularly beneficial in boosting the effectiveness of smoking cessation support delivered through pharmacies, particularly at one month and three months post quit date.

Self-reported Quit Rates¹ (Russell Standard²) at One, Three and 12 Months: Quit4u (2009-10) (Compared with a Matched Sample for Other Smoking Cessation Services)

Source: Data Extracted from NHS Health Scotland publication - Evaluation of Quit for You – 8 May 2012 http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/5827.aspx.

Note: The Russell standard defines people as quit if they have not smoked, even a puff in the last two weeks (one month quit) or they have not smoked more than five cigarettes since the one month follow-up (three and 12 month quit).

The Standards of Care for Dementia in Scotland (2011) state that NHS boards will ensure that there is regular audit of the physical environment in these settings for people with dementia and action any deficits; and the standards signpost services to the Design for People with Dementia: Audit Tool (2008), produced by The Dementia Services Development Centre at The University of Stirling in collaboration with Health Facilities Scotland. NHS boards will also want to consider using any new design tools as appropriate to help them in meeting this standard.

The Chief Nursing Officer continues a programme of improvement activity into the care of all older people and people with dementia at all ages in acute general hospitals, in partnership with NHS boards and others, including people with dementia and their families with experience of care in these settings. This is informed by a holistic approach to improving the care experience of people with dementia in hospital environments, with attention to ensuring an effective, safe and personalised caring environment. This activity is being supported by the training of 300 Dementia Champions drawn from acute general hospital and associated care setting by 2013 to lead improvements in care at the frontline, and by the appointment of a specialist dementia nurse consultant to each board to advise on and help implement service change.

From August 2006 to May 2012 NICE has published 93 Single Technology Assessments (STAs) on new medicines. There are 8 medicines that have been recommended by NICE and not yet recommended by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) as follows.

The following medicines were not recommended by SMC and NICE have recommended them at Final Appraisal Determination stage, but final guidance has not yet been issued (both due June 2012).

From August 2006 to May 2012 the following medicines have been accepted by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) and not recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) through the Single Technology Appraisal (STA) process.

The Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration has confirmed that they did not receive any referral for Declan Hainey. This was not raised as an issue in the subsequent Significant Case Review (SCR). The SCR reviewed the circumstances of this case and made a series of recommendations. We have received assurances that these have been acted upon.

The Scottish Government continue to believe that promoting and safeguarding the wellbeing of Scotland’s children must be a key priority.

The duty of care to protect passengers is included as part of the terms and conditions of the operating licence from the Traffic Commissioner.

Most bus operators currently use conditions of carriage to which both the passenger and the bus operator themselves must adhere. This can include refusing entry or removing passengers who are believed to be intoxicated, on drugs or appear likely to behave in an anti-social manner.

In March 2009 the Scottish Government and COSLA jointly published their Framework for tackling antisocial behaviour, Promoting Positive Outcomes. It followed a thorough review of national antisocial behaviour policy, recognising that prevention; early and effective intervention; and diversion, should be at its heart.

The Scottish Government has recently engaged and is engaging with communities across a number of issues where antisocial behaviour is one of many issues under consideration.

The first Scottish Social Housing Charter was introduced on 1 April 2012. This followed extensive consultation with tenants, landlords and other interested parties to find out what they wanted the Charter to include. The outcomes contained in the Charter describe the results that tenants and other customers can expect social landlords to achieve. The Charter includes an outcome on social landlords working in partnership with other agencies to ensure that tenants and other customers live in well maintained neighbourhoods where they feel safe.

In addition to this, the Scottish Government recently consulted on Affordable Rented Housing: Creating flexibility for landlords and better outcomes for communities. This closed in April 2012 and included some proposals on tackling antisocial behaviour in the social rented sector. The responses to the consultation are currently being analysed.

We are also consulting on a strategy for the Private Rented Sector which asks how problem tenants living within privately rented properties could be more effectively dealt with to help both neighbours and landlords. This consultation closes on 10 July.

In addition to various practical measures on buses themselves, the police, local authorities, and other local agencies are responsible for tackling anti-social behaviour at local level.

The Scottish Government attaches the greatest importance to the safety of all passengers and staff using and delivering bus services and will continue to work in partnership with local authorities, transport operators and others on a range of deterrent and enforcement measures to make public transport safer for both passengers and staff.

Common deterrents currently in use include protective screens on buses separating bus drivers from passengers, the use of radio to report disturbances, the provision of CCTV coverage on buses and the use of signage to highlight that any physical attacks on drivers will not be tolerated and offenders prosecuted.

The Scottish Government will continue to work in partnership with local authorities, transport operators and others on a range of deterrents and enforcement. Passengers will see this commitment reflected in practical measures such as CCTV, the use of radio to report disturbances, and signage to provide appropriate information and warnings.

The work being taken forward by Scottish Government and key stakeholders including NHSScotland and the Royal College of Midwives to improve the quality of workforce data for Midwifery staff is due to be completed and published by National Services Scotland, Information Services Division, by the end of this year.

The published data will provide information on (a) the number of clinical midwives and (b) average and range of midwife to birth ratio. It will not provide information on the caseload of each full-time equivalent community midwife.