Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18496 on 11 December 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.

HFS continually monitor new techniques and technology for fighting healthcare associated infections, and should strong evidence for the use of silver-impregnated drapes and linen emerge, then HFS will investigate their suitability or otherwise for use by NHS Scotland.

Health Facilities Scotland (HFS) have co-ordinated a scientific study into the effectiveness of copper-impregnated mops in two NHS Scotland boards. This was a preliminary study and the results were not conclusive in establishing how effective copper solution is at removing organisms responsible for healthcare associated infections. HFS are in the process of carrying out further research into the potential benefits of this technology.

It should be made clear that the majority of bank staff, over 35,000, have already been assimilated. Of those staff left to process, boards are generally prioritising substantive staff because, once these staff are assimilated, bank workers will be able to be transferred to Agenda for Change relatively quickly. Boards will have more resource available to conclude the process for bank workers once the more complex substantive staff have been assimilated.

The redeveloped State Hospital will be commissioned in early 2011 when the new accommodation will come into full use.

Exercise Cauld Craw will take place in late April and May of 2009. This exercise, based on a pandemic influenza scenario, will practice generic capabilities, (such as crisis decision making and the maintenance of essential services) that apply to any major emergency. It will also evaluate the ability to respond to challenges (such as the provision of high volumes of personal protective equipment for use by NHS staff) which are specific to a human health emergency.

Exercise Cauld Craw is aimed primarily at the Scottish Government itself. It will also involve several multi-agency Strategic Co-ordinating Groups (SCGs) and NHS boards. It will take lessons from Exercise Winter Willow which was led by the UK Government in 2007 and which also involved a number of SCGs and NHS boards.

The scheduling of future exercises involving a pandemic scenario is dependent on the relative risk from a pandemic as opposed to other potential emergencies.

On 8 December 2008 there were 163 patients cared for at the State Hospital. The planned capacity for the redeveloped facility will be to accommodate up to 140 patients.

Only those for whom a transfer is assessed as appropriate and safe will move to other services. Medium secure accommodation and other relevant services will deliver the forecast numbers by the 2011 commissioning date.

It is for NHS boards to manage emergency medical and surgical GP referrals across its acute hospital network as appropriate. Boards plan to effectively manage emergency referrals across their hospital networks during periods of high demand. This government''s decision to maintain and develop accident and emergency services across the three main hospital sites in Lanarkshire has protected the capacity of the local hospital network and ensures that patients continue to receive the treatment they require without delay.

Scottish Government funding towards the cost of operating arrest referral schemes is provided under section 27 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968. Local authorities as the ultimate recipients of section 27 funding are responsible for drawing up any contractual arrangements which might be needed in delivering arrest referral schemes within their areas. Information on such contracts is not held centrally.

In common with other areas of Government funding, section 27 grant is linked to the duration of the 2007 Spending Review, which covers the financial years to end March 2011.

My decision was based on the definition of a single room produced by the Single Room Provision Steering Group and is contained within their report which can be found at www.scotland.gov.uk/haitaskforce. This will be used for inclusion in the technical guidance that is being prepared by Health Facilities Scotland. The definition is as follows:

A room with space for one patient which normally contains as a minimum a bed, locker, clinical wash-hand basin and also a sanitary facility comprising a toilet, shower and wash-hand basin.