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NHS Boards are responsible for the design, delivery and management of their services for the population. Therefore, the operation of services is a matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service.

I am aware of the issues raised in the North of Scotland and have been in contact with the Service to discuss these matters. I am reassured that work is on-going to address the concerns raised and I have asked to be kept informed of any developments.

This information is not held centrally.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) publishes statistics on accidental dwelling fires and cause, however this data is not presented on a monthly basis, nor is data on tenure given.

These statistics are available to the public on SFRS’s website, and can be found at this link

The SFRS has a statutory duty to promote fire safety across Scotland. Additionally, in the Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland 2016, Scottish Ministers require SFRS to fully contribute to improving the safety and well-being of Scotland’s communities and to ensure that there is a clear process for working with partners to identify the risks faced by communities and individuals so that the SFRS can target activity on a risk-based approach.

The SFRS itself will consider how best to reduce dwelling fires, including those caused by electricity, what the focus of its preventative action will be, and with which partner organisations it will work to achieve this.

In addition to a programme of fire safety awareness campaigns and community safety engagement events, the SFRS carried out 71,743 Home Fire Safety Visits in 2015-16. The SFRS website also carries safety information for householders on a range of issues, including home appliances and electrical safety.

My officials are currently working on compiling comparative data from organisations who employ seafarers in the course of operating small fleets. The recognised trade unions have also offered to provide comparative data that they hold which will be reviewed once it has been received. I will write to the member for Highlands and Islands with the results once they are available.

The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) develops evidence based clinical practice guidelines for the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland. SIGN guidelines are derived from a systematic review of the scientific literature and are designed to accelerate the translation of new knowledge into practice.

Any group or individual may propose a guideline topic to SIGN and their selection process is detailed at:

SIGN have confirmed that they have not received any applications to produce guidelines on osteoarthritis.

Access to specialist support for people with osteoarthritis forms part of an individual’s care package, in agreement with relevant healthcare professionals.

The information requested in relation to the number of people living with osteoarthritis in Scotland is not held centrally.

The National Institute of Clinical Evidence (NICE) have produced a clinical guideline on the care and management of adults with osteoarthritis. We expect NHS clinicians in Scotland to be take account of NICE guidelines and any other agreed local guidelines in their practice.

GPs are expected to update their knowledge through continuing professional development (CPD) to suit the needs of their patients, including those with osteoarthritis. They are supported in this CPD by Health Boards and other organisations such as the Post Graduate Deaneries, faculties of the Royal College of General Practice and NHS Education.

Since April 2011, Marine Scotland has provided funding of £30,000 annually to a UK wide monitoring programme which aims to determine levels of marine mammal (cetacean) bycatch in commercial fisheries. Funding is committed under the current programme up to the end of March 2017.

This work has focused on monitoring the effectiveness of acoustic deterrent devices in reducing bycatch, and on monitoring a range of fisheries, including some for which monitoring is not required under Council Regulation 812/2004. This project is carried out under contract by the Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews, who provide an annual report on the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) 812/2004.

UK Annual Reports can be obtained through the attached link:

HIE will retain its Chief Executive based at its headquarters in Inverness, staff will also continue to operate from the Headquarters in Inverness and HIE’s area-based locations across the area from Lerwick to Lochgilphead. HIE senior management will continue to work in the same way as they do now but will benefit from the coordination provided by the new Scotland-wide Statutory Board.

Businesses and communities will continue to access services across the Highlands and Islands area.

As part of the work being taken forward in Phase two of the Enterprise and Skills Review we will consider the formation, format and remit of the new Scotland-wide Statutory Board. This will include ensuring that HIE continues to deliver an excellent service identifying and prioritising investment within the Highlands and Islands.

We would expect that there will be strong Highlands and Islands representation on the new single board, and there is no commitment to a single geographic HQ for the Board.

The grant formally offered to Highland Council by the Managing Authority (Scottish Government) on 20 October 2016 is based on population with some adjustment to reflect the local circumstances. The basis for allocation of European Social Funds was developed by the Scottish Government and agreed with CoSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities).

The Far North Line Review Team will be chaired by the Rail Director, Transport Scotland and will comprise representatives of Network Rail, ScotRail, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Hitrans Regional Transport Partnership, Transport Scotland, Highland Council and Friends of the Far North Line. The Team will hold an inception meeting early in the new year at which the remit will be confirmed and subsequently published.

In our report on phase one of the Enterprise and Skills Review we have committed to work with agencies and other partners to strengthen our enterprise and skills system by consulting on the strategic board, including the best distribution of functions between the agencies underneath it and the associated legislative requirements. Any savings that might arise would be consequential to that commitment.