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I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-13567 on
9 January 2018. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at

The 2015 Scottish Cancer Patient Experience Survey included all cancers covered by the ICD10 codes from C00 to C96 except C44 (malignant neoplasms) and C84 (some types of lymphomas). This is consistent with the approach taken for other UK Cancer Patient Experience Surveys.

The legislative functions of Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) are broadly similar to those of the Care Quality Commission.

The functions and powers of HIS include: supporting, ensuring and monitoring the quality of healthcare provided or secured by NHS Scotland and the provision of quality assurance and accreditation. HIS also has powers in relation to inspections and registration of independent healthcare services.

In addition, Scottish Ministers have direction making powers under Section 10A(3) of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978: in carrying out its functions, HIS is to act subject to, and in accordance with, such directions as may be given by the Scottish Ministers.

The Scottish Government supports NHS Health Boards in their efforts to ensure that they have the right staff in place to meet the healthcare needs of the local population.

NHS Lothian have advised that when the decision was taken to temporary close its Paediatric In-Patient Unit at St John's Hospital on 7 July 2017, a commitment was made to operate a Short Stay Paediatric Assessment Unit (SSPAU) between 08:00hrs to 20:00hrs, Monday to Friday.

NHS Lothian have confirmed that since the introduction of the temporary model, the Board has been able to keep the SSPAU open at the weekends through staff undertaking additional shifts coupled with the use of locum cover. Due to unplanned absence, at short notice, the Board was unable to staff a safe rota for both the 3 and 9 December, resulting in the SSPAU closing on these days.

The Board commissioned the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) to review the work undertaken to secure a sustainable 24/7 staffing model. The College has carried out a review and produced a report which was received by the Board in the Autumn. It concluded that option one remained both the RCPCH’s and NHS Lothian’s preferred option for St John's Paediatric services i.e. 24 hour consultant and Tier 2 [middle grade] cover. The College recognised that the development of this model was a long-term solution depending upon the successful recruitment of consultants, Advance Nurse Practioners (ANP) and Specialty and Associate Specialist Doctors.

NHS Lothian has given an assurance that it is committed to increasing staffing levels and reinstating the 24/7 model.

The Scottish Government supports NHS Health Boards in their efforts to ensure that they have the right staff in place to meet the healthcare needs of the local population.

We have been assured by NHS Lothian that despite significant investment, the Board continued to face challenges with recruitment and sustaining a 24/7 workforce. Therefore it reluctantly took the decision, in the interest of children and their families, to implement an interim model on 7 July 2017.

The Board commissioned the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) to review the work undertaken to secure a sustainable 24/7 staffing model. The College has carried out a review and produced a report which was received by the Board in the Autumn. It concluded that option one remained both the RCPCH’s and NHS Lothian’s preferred option for St John's Paediatric services i.e. 24 hour consultant and Tier 2 [middle grade] cover. The College recognised that the development of this model was a long-term solution depending upon the successful recruitment of consultants, Advance Nurse Practioners (ANP) and Specialty and Associate Specialist Doctors.

NHS Lothian has given an assurance that it is committed to increasing staffing levels and reinstating the 24/7 model.

The Scottish Government committed £100 million of funding to the cancer strategy ‘Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action’ over the 5 year period between 2016 - 2021. To date we have spent £34 million to implement the actions set out within the strategy and the remainder will be allocated over the next three years.

The Scottish Government has regular discussions with NHS Lothian regarding the delay at the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh and these discussions will continue until the project is complete.

NHS Lothian have suffered unexpected initial delays on site, which included the liquidation of a crucial sub-contractor, severe weather and issues surrounding piling works.

NHS Lothian remain committed to delivering this flagship facility in a timely manner and to the highest of standards. They are working with the contractors to open the hospital as soon as possible and aim for moves to take place by autumn 2018. Their forensic work with IHSL and Multiplex will continue through regular meetings over the coming weeks and the Scottish Government will be kept fully informed of developments.

The Scottish Government’s Capital Investment Group (CIG) oversees the approval process for business cases across NHSScotland and provides the necessary assurances that proposals are robust, affordable, deliverable, and that they are in line with wider NHS policy. Following consideration by the CIG, approval was given for the Initial Agreements for the NHS Highland “North of Scotland Elective Care Centre” and the Golden Jubilee National Hospital "Ophthalmology Unit Development’" on 28 September 2017. The Business Cases for these elective centres are now under development.

The Initial Agreements for the remaining centres continue to be developed, supported and informed by a range of national planning work, and will be considered by the CIG in due course. In line with the original commitment, the programme to deliver the elective centres remains on track for completion by the end of 2021.

While the whistle-blower raised concerns about St Johns Hospital specifically, NHS Lothian subsequently carried out an internal review of three of its acute hospitals. The independent Review, led by the Professor Derek Bell, will not only investigate the allegations made by the whistle-blower but will also review the findings from NHS Lothian's internal review, including St Johns Hospital, the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the Western General hospital.

As I said to the member, I expect the review to conclude early in the New Year.

Scottish Government data collation procedures only allow to distinguish between serious and slight injuries for such instances and these were set out in the answer to S5W-12702. It is not possible to directly attribute the wearing of a helmet to the injuries sustained in all of the situations contained in these statistics, however the Scottish Government encourages all cyclists to undertake safeguards and to wear a suitable helmet in line with advice in the UK Highway Code.