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As the Member will be aware, the current waiting time standard for the four key radiology tests is six weeks. The latest figures show that the number of patients waiting more than six weeks in March 2013 was 994.

In relation to the increase of 1,200 rise over 60% of the increase in the number of patients waiting more than four weeks relates to in NHS Fife and my officials are working with the board to support improvement.

The vast majority of patients requiring any of the eight key diagnostic tests are seen within six weeks waiting time standard. The latest figures for March 2013 showed that 96.2% patients were seen within six weeks, the compliance rate is 95%. There are 11 NHS boards currently delivering above the 95% compliance rate.

There are three boards who have been experiencing difficulties in delivering the target; NHS Fife, Forth Valley and Lothian and my officials are actively working with these boards to support improvement.

The Scottish Government are aware of capacity issues in NHS Grampian in delivering waiting time standards particularly for general surgery and orthopaedics. The board have advised that the high level reflects patients indicating they would rather wait longer to receive their appointment locally rather than accept an appointment at an external provider within the waiting time standard. This means that the patient has agreed to a period of unavailability being applied to their waiting time.

NHS Grampian have recently agreed a £16 million investment programme that will increase capacity by employing more doctors, nurses and support staff as well as increasing theatre capacity. This additional local capacity will be available in 2014.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15356 on 13 June 2013. 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 numbers of patients that have had a new ostomy fitted each year since 2006 are provided in the following table:

Source: Information Services Division (ISD).

The number of people currently requiring stoma care appliances is not held centrally. However ISD data suggests that the number of patients who were being prescribed stoma devices at the end of December 2012 was 33,200.

Information regarding how many stoma care clinical nurse specialists there have been in NHS hospitals in each year from 2004, broken down by NHS board is not available as prior to the Agenda for Change (2007) information was not held at the level requested.

The following tables show the total number of stoma care clinical nurse specialists there have been employed in NHS boards, each year from 2004, however, the figures quoted will contain stoma care clinical staff from community and hospital based locations.

Table 1. Number of stoma care clinical nurse specialists by NHS Board (WTE) from 31-03-2004 to 31-03-2012

Source: ISD Scotland.

Note: NHS Argyll and Clyde ceased to exist at 1st April 2006. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Highland board areas were revised to include Argyll and Clyde.

Table 2. Number of stoma care clinical nurse specialists by NHS Board (Headcount) from 31-03-2004 to 31-03-2012

Source: ISD Scotland.

Note: NHS Argyll and Clyde ceased to exist at 1st April 2006. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Highland board areas were revised to include Argyll and Clyde.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15356 on 13 June 2013. 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.

Day to day responsibility for the local provision and monitoring of stoma care services within a national framework falls to individual NHS boards. The last national review was preparatory to the establishment of the current commercial arrangements for the provision of this service which have been in place since July 2011.

It is now planned that a new quality and cost effectiveness review will be established to be led from within NHS Scotland to help plan for the future, to which patient groups will as in the past be invited to contribute. Further information for interested parties will follow in due course.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15356 on 13 June 2013. 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 Royal Pharmaceutical Society, as the professional body, provides information and guidance to their members on health promotion including preconception care and pregnancy.

In 2011, NHS Health Scotland launched an updated information leaflet for the public and briefing for health professionals with information on folic acid before and during pregnancy.

This resource is freely and widely available and gives basic information on folate from foods, folic acid from supplements or fortified food products and recommendations on intake for women before pregnancy and up to their 12th week of pregnancy.

There is also a professional briefing available, which underlines the importance of recommending folic acid supplements by all health professionals.