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Historically, delayed discharges rise in July and October. The fact is that the level of delayed discharges heading into winter has never been as low as the last two years. This year there are 94 patients delayed over six weeks, last year there were 91. In 2006, under the previous administration there were 679.

We are working with COSLA to jointly address any issues that arise that can impact on delayed discharge. The Joint Improvement Team is also available to help partnerships understand the causes of delayed discharge and to help redesign services as required.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-29294 on 1 December 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at .

Information on the average (mean and median) delay for patients awaiting discharge at the October 2009 is shown in the following table.

Median and Mean Duration for all Delays as at the October 2009 Census by NHS Board

NHS Board Area of Treatment	Median Duration (Days)	Mean Duration (Days)
Scotland	22	27
Ayrshire and Arran	21	22
Borders	17	20
Fife	22	21
Forth Valley	21	23
Grampian	17	21
Greater Glasgow and Clyde	21	30
Highland	29	42
Lanarkshire	27	27
Lothian	22	29
Tayside	17	22

Source: ISD Scotland, Delayed Discharges Census.

The mean and median duration for Dumfries and Galloway, Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles are not show because the total number of patients delayed is very small.

We expect local authorities and the NHS to work together and within their combined resources to ensure patients are not unnecessarily delayed in hospitals when treatment is complete.

The Scottish Government''s aim is to enable people to stay in their own homes, or in a homely setting, with maximum independence, for as long as possible.

We are undertaking a major review of care of older people, including care home provision and the financial implications. We are engaging with Parliament, the professions, providers and society to agree a way forward that is sufficiently radical to meet the changing needs of Scotland''s population.

I refer the member to the strategic vision for assessment published on 24 September:

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More detailed guidance for practitioners will be provided in the assessment framework, to be published early in the New Year.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28939 on 26 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at .

Yes. Within Curriculum for Excellence progression up to the end of S3 will be through curriculum levels early, first, second, third and fourth, paving the way for work towards qualifications in the senior phase at the SCQF level appropriate to the needs and achievements of each young person. Learning will be assessed against the standards and expectations set out in the curriculum guidance and in line with the strategic vision for assessment published on 23 September. The levels are spaced in a way which will allow teachers to plan for greater depth, enrichment and consolidation of learning, ensuring well planned progression based on secure, well established learning. The expectations of learning at each level described within the curriculum guidance were signed off by the Curriculum for Excellence management board, which includes representatives from the Educational Institute of Scotland, School Leaders Scotland, Scottish Secondary Teachers'' Association, Association of Scotland''s Colleges and the Association of Heads and Deputes in Scotland.

It is the responsibility of local authorities, schools and headteachers to support the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence by identifying priorities and providing opportunities for parents to learn about the changes to the education system.

We are also working with the local authority parental involvement network, parent councils and parent bodies, through seminars and newsletters, so that they have the information and advice they need to keep parents informed of the developments in Curriculum for Excellence. This will include a toolkit to support practitioners in the New Year.

Learning and Teaching Scotland''s Parents as Partners in Learning website has examples of good practice on how to tell parents what they need to know about the changes to their child''s education:

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The Framework for Assessment, which will provide guidance on assessment approaches for Curriculum for Excellence, will published early in the New Year.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28939 on 26 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at .

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28939 on 26 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at .