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ScottishIntercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) Guideline 62 on Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)states that all patients admitted to hospital for major trauma, major surgery oracute medical illness should be assessed individually for risk of VTE. This guideline,which is about to be reviewed, is followed in surgical units throughout Scotland.

Other Guidelines relevant toVTE are SIGN 89 (Diagnosis and management of peripheral arterial disease,October 2006) and SIGN 36 (Anti Thrombotic Therapy, March 1999),which is currently under review. Prevention of VTE is also covered in guidelinessuch as that on Prevention and Management of Hip Fracture in Older People(January 2002).

This information is not heldcentrally.

Chartered Teacher alreadyoffers teachers substantial salary rewards in return for advanced learningwhich can lead to improved classroom practice. The scheme is currently beingreviewed to examine possible improvements. In the meantime universities reportincreasing interest in Chartered Teacher modules, in part as new generations ofteachers become eligible for entry.

This information is publishedin tables 3 and 14 of the statistical bulletin Local authority housing incomeand expenditure 2004-05 to 2006-07. This is available online in the publicationssection of the housing statistics branch reference site:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/PubLAHousingIncomeExpend.

We propose to include a newentrants measure for farmers in the new Scotland rural development programme, which we hope to launchtowards the end of this year.

We recognise the acute shortageof affordable homes that exists in many areas of Scotland and are committed to improvingthe supply and affordability of housing. We are developing a range of initiativesto achieve this objective and will be pursuing these over the coming months.

Any proposal to build a new nuclearpower station in Scotland would require consent from Scottish ministers. Given our position on energy policy, our generating capacity,our multiplicity of energy sources and our strong alternative strategies, such anapplication would be unlikely to find favour with this administration.

The information requested isgiven in the following table. The table also presents data on deaths from pulmonaryembolism as the overwhelming majority of these are likely to be the consequenceof venous thromboembolism.

Deaths in Hospital bySelected Cause, Scotland, 2003-05

Cause of Death	2003	2004	2005
All deaths in hospital	34,159	32,722	32,772
 of which as a result of
(a) venous thromboembolism1	97	101	89
(b) pulmonary embolism2	327	268	276

Notes:

1. ICD 10 codes: I80, I82(excl. I82.0), O22.3, O22.9, O87.1, O87.9.

2. ICD 10 codes: I26, O88.2.

Where clinically possible, cliniciansare encouraged to prescribe generically. In2006, the cost of prescribed branded drugs for which a generic equivalent was usuallyavailable was £10,843,438. This figure does not include the cost of modified releasepreparations or antiepileptic drugs where generic substitution might not be clinicallyappropriate. In some instances, branded drugs will need to be dispensed where thegeneric equivalent is temporarily in short supply.

The cost shown relates to prescribeditems dispensed in the community by community pharmacists and dispensing doctorsand excludes medicines dispensed by hospitals and hospital-based clinics. The costgiven is that before the addition of any pharmacy fees and deduction of any drugmanufacturers discount and patient charges.

We recognise the acute shortageof affordable homes that exists in many communities, whether urban, rural or island,and are committed to improving the supply and affordability of housing through targetedinvestment and by removing barriers to provision. We are taking stock of the widerange of action needed to achieve this objective and in so doing will take fullaccount of the varying needs of different types of community.