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Officials are closely monitoring any retrospective changes made to waiting time statistics by NHS boards.

ISD routinely engages with NHS boards on the issue of data submission to the National Waiting Times Data Warehouse (New Ways) and data quality including data items relating to the number of patients removed from a waiting list.

All NHS boards are required to agree their data prior to each quarterly publication with an assurance that the published data reflects the accurate local position. This routine process involves seeking clarification from NHS boards that statistics that appear to be higher or lower than expected are accurate. This involves ISD’s statisticians corresponding with each board. Through this process any significant data quality issues fed back to NHS boards are highlighted in the publication.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

SPS has recently commenced a review of the role of the Personal Officer across the prison estate which will inform the nature, scope, job description and training requirements for the role. This is currently at an early stage and we are in the process of gathering data from all prisons to inform the review.

All prisoners in HMP Glenochil do however have an assigned Personal Officer.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

The SPS aims to ensure children and families visiting prisons are treated with dignity and respect. We are currently reviewing our Good Practice Guidelines for Children and Families as part of the development of a new Family Policy.

HMP Glenochil together with partner agencies keeps support for families and visitors under continuous review. It appointed a full time Family Contact Officer in 2011. It is also currently considering plans to reconfigure the existing waiting areas to improve access to external agencies for families whilst they visit and to improve facilities for children.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

Whilst the recommendation will be kept under review HMP Glenochil has decided not to offer an SVQ for prisoners who work in the laundry and is focussing on expanding the range of qualifications available elsewhere within the prison. In 2011-12 HMP Glenochil delivered 1621 qualifications including 121 at SCQF Level 5 for prisoners in painting and decorating, hairdressing, cleaning (bio hazard) and cleaning (training) to British Institute of Cleaning Sciences standard.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

In regards to the role of the Personal Officer, SPS has recently commenced a review of their role across the prison estate which will inform the nature, scope, job description and training requirements for the role. This is currently at an early stage and we are in the process of gathering data from all prisons to inform the review.

In regards to Lifer Liaison and Lifer Contact Officers comprehensive training was provided for HMP Glenochil post holders in April which covered their roles, the early release and parole process, Integrated Case Management and risk management and progression. All Lifer Liaison and Lifer Contact Officers also attend quarterly forums and have access to a shared intranet site, both of which allow post holders to share best practice and to keep up to date with information relating to the management of prisoners and the parole process. It is also to ensure that there is effective communication on issues that affect both the SPS and external partners.

As I stated in my answer to your question S4W-06383 I have asked the Scottish Workforce and Staff Governance (SWAG) committee to reconsider the issue of a whistleblowing helpline. The SWAG Committee next meet on 13 July 2012 and this issue will be on the agenda for discussion.

<>I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-07572 on 11 June 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 Patient Rights (Feedback, Comments, Concerns and Complaints) (Scotland) Directions 2012, issued under CEL 7 (2012) and the Guidance issued under CEL 8 (2012) set out that relevant NHS bodies are required to:

prepare and publish data annually in respect of their own services and their health service providers in relation to feedback, comments, concerns and complaints received in the year, and

submit complaints data annually to the Information Services Division (ISD), a Division of NHS National Services Scotland, for collation and publication of national complaints statistics.

The first publication of each is due as soon as reasonably practicable after year ending 31 March 2013.

<>Secondary legislation to support the implementation of the provisions in the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 in relation to feedback, comments, concerns and complaints came into force on 1 April 2012. This includes the Patient Rights (Complaints Procedure and Consequential Provisions) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 and the Patient Rights (Feedback, Comments, Concerns and Complaints) (Scotland) Directions 2012. These were issued to NHSScotland in March 2012 under Chief Executive Letter (CEL) 7 (2012) which is available at http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2012_07.pdf.

Guidance on handling and learning from feedback, comments, concerns and complaints about NHS Health Care Services was also issued in March and is available at http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2012_08.pdf.

NHS Education Scotland has been commissioned to lead on a 2 year learning and education programme in conjunction with the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) to develop capability of staff providing NHS Services to respond to feedback, comments, concerns and complaints.

<>I refer the member to the answer to his question S4W-04025 on 23 November 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.