Parliamentary Questions
Health
March 2010
Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to implement the recommendations in the NHS Quality Improvement Scotland report, Tackling Indifference: Healthcare Services for People with Learning Disabilities, National Overview Report - December 2009.
Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is currently considering how best to implement these recommendations which we accept in full. The report underlines what is absolutely clear to all of us: everyone must have fair and equal access to healthcare, whatever their personal circumstances.
The same as you? group, tasked with taking forward the government’s learning disability strategy and which I co-chair, has agreed to focus on promoting health improvement and tackle health inequalities for people with learning disabilities and will be involved in implementation.
I have asked chief executives of all NHS boards, including the special boards, to submit action plans to address significant concerns. To assist with this programme, we have made available £7 million to take forward the change programme.
A learning network of all the NHS boards will meet on a regular basis to develop policies and share best practice. The first full meeting of this network is scheduled for February.
Bill Wilson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage other NHS boards to adopt disability leave policies similar to that of NHS 24.
Nicola Sturgeon: The Disability Policy developed by NHS 24 is currently being piloted and the results of this pilot will be fed back to the rest of NHSScotland in due course.
NHS boards have the autonomy to adopt policies which are appropriate to local need. NHSScotland has a range of progressive policies in place to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of its workforce and NHS boards are actively working in partnership with their staff to achieve sustained improvements in attendance rates.
December 2008
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that general health campaigns reach disabled people.
Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Executive and the NHS in Scotland have a legal duty to undertake equality impact assessments of their existing and proposed policies and procedures under the race, disability and gender legislation to ensure fair and equal access. This requirement extends to ensuring health campaigns are inclusive of and accessible to disabled people.
A range of central resources and support, including an Equality Impact Assessment Toolkit has been provided. National guidance entitled Achieving Fair Access, published in July 2007, provides advice to the NHS in Scotland on removing barriers disabled people face in accessing health services and this includes advice on appropriate and accessible communication.
A new Equalities and Planning Directorate was established on 1 April 2008 within NHS Health Scotland to provide support for the NHS in Scotland and will build on the work already undertaken under the Fair for All framework.
NHS24 is currently developing a National Health Information and Support Service for Scotland, bringing together quality assured information from across the NHS and the voluntary sector and making this information accessible through telephone helpline, high street facilities and the web. This information will be developed in a range of formats to ensure it is accessible and appropriate for disabled people.
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will require local authorities to use only polling stations that are accessible to everyone including those with disabilities and, if so, when.
Nicola Sturgeon: The administration of elections in Scotland, including the provision of polling stations, is the responsibility of the individual Returning Officer within each local authority area. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995, as amended by the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, places a duty on all public authorities to promote equality and eliminate discrimination against those with disabilities while exercising their functions. Returning Officers should have regard to their duties under this legislation when considering access to the democratic process.