³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

The Scottish Government recognises that some complementary and alternative treatments may offer relief to some people living with a wide variety of long term conditions. It is for individual NHS boards to decide what alternative therapies they make available based on the needs of their resident populations, in line with national guidance. We expect boards to ensure that people receive the appropriate care that meets the totality of their needs and that this care is person-centred, safe and effective.

The Scottish Government supports the accredited voluntary register scheme, run by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and (in England only) Social care as a proportionate response to the risks presented by unregulated practitioners. There are no current plans to make any of the accredited voluntary registers subject to statutory regulation.

The ministers of the four administrations have committed to working together to maintain a consistent regulatory landscape for healthcare professionals working across national boundaries.

I wrote to the Convener of the Health and Sport Committee on 7 November 2013 informing him of my intention to bring an end to the pilot health board elections in NHS Dumfries and Galloway and NHS Fife. A draft order has been submitted to the Scottish Parliament which if approved will bring an end to the pilot exercise on 31 December 2013.

A total of three elected non-executive members resigned over the course of the pilot health board elections exercise.

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

WRITTEN ANSWER

19 November 2013

Index Heading: Health and Social Care

Jackson Carlaw (West Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what organisations it plans to consult in connection with the business regulatory impact assessment related to its proposals to introduce plain packaging of tobacco products.

(S4W-18144)

Michael Matheson: We have already invited a number of relevant organisations to provide information, and meet with officials, in relation to the development of a business and regulatory impact assessment on plain packaging of tobacco products.

All non-executive health board members receive comprehensive induction and development on taking up post. For the elected non-executive members, this was augmented by a two day national induction event on the 14 and 15 June 2010. This event, at the Beardmore Hotel and Conference centre was attended by the Deputy First Minister/Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, the Director General for Health and Social Care, Audit Scotland and members of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. In addition, NHS Dumfries and Galloway and NHS Fife delivered local induction and development programmes to support their elected non-executive members.

The total cost associated with delivering these national and local induction and development events was £50,722. Neither board incurred any costs as these were met centrally by the Scottish Government.

We are considering all relevant information in developing legislation for plain packaging of tobacco products and will continue to do so.

We will develop a business and regulatory impact assessment on plain packaging in line with the normal Scottish Government Better Regulation procedures.

Reducing the harmful impact of tobacco on Scotland’s health is a key priority for the Scottish Government. We welcome the proposal to increase the size of health warnings on cigarette packs. We will continue to examine any emerging evidence on this subject and will of course take account of the European Tobacco Products Directive.

We will of course take account of all relevant European requirements in developing our legislation on plain packaging. As announced in our recent Programme for Government, we will consult on the next steps in the New Year after which we will look to introduce legislation in 2014-15.