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The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally as this is a matter for the Department of Work and Pensions. A DS1500 form is issued when there is a terminal illness and the prognosis is that the patient may live less than 6 months, it is provided by a GP to the patient, or patient's representative, and it is for them to forward to the Department of Work and Pensions to fast tracks claims when applying for certain benefits.

The Information requested is not reported centrally, but the tables show the number of patients for whom dehydration and related conditions were the main diagnoses recorded as the reason for hospital admission (table 1) or one of the diagnoses recorded (table 2). Because dehydration is reported together with other conditions such as hypovolaemia (low blood volume), the figures given are likely to overestimate the number of cases. Where dehydration and related conditions were the main reason for hospital admission, the most common other conditions recorded included vomiting, kidney disease and diabetes.

Table 1: Number of people who had at least one admission to hospital during the year because of a primary diagnosis of volume depletion, including dehydration or related condition; by Health Board of treatment; 1999 – 2016

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Table 2: Number of people who had at least one admission to hospital during the year because of any diagnosis of volume depletion, including dehydration or related condition; by Health board of treatment; 1999 – 2016

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Information on the median wait and maximum wait from the date of urgent referral with a suspicion of cancer to date of first treatment by board of receipt and calendar year is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre - Bib number 59336.

Data held centrally is only available in the requested format from 2010 onwards.

Scottish Government officials are working closely with Chief Officers and Chief Finance Officers of a number of Integration Joint Boards, along with COSLA to discuss the implementation of Free Personal Care for under 65's.

There has been a new webpage added to the Scottish Government website which will provide updates on the implementation of the extension to Free Personal Care to under 65's.

Immediately following the Programme for Government announcement on 5 September, we have said that the extension of free personal care will be in place by 1 April 2019.

Action 16 of the Mental Health Strategy 2017-27 committed to fund the introduction of a Managed Clinical Network to improve the recognition and treatment of perinatal mental health problems. Recruitment to the network has been completed and it is now operational.

The network is undertaking a review of current education and training across disciplines, including mental health nursing, over the course of the coming year. The network is also working with NHS Education for Scotland to identify a training plan for professionals, including mental health nurses working within specialist perinatal mental health services and those working in general mental health services.

Regulation for the Licensing and Safety of Medicines is currently a reserved area for the UK Government.

The Scottish Government meets regularly with the MHRA to discuss medicine safety issues. This includes discussion on Primodos. Furthermore, I wrote to the UK Government urging them to conduct a thorough examination of all materials in the Review and also to ensure that families in Scotland were given the opportunity to engage with the independent Review.

The Scottish Government has arranged to meet with the Chair of the Association for Children Damaged by Hormone Pregnancy Tests to hear first hand their experience and learning from observing the Expert Working Group Review.

Action 16 of the Mental Health Strategy 2017-27 committed to fund the introduction of a Managed Clinical Network to improve the recognition and treatment of perinatal mental health problems. Recruitment to the network has been completed and it is now operational.

In its review of current provision, the network will pay particular attention to pathways into care for women who may live some distance from an existing MBU and will make recommendations on improving access where difficulties emerge. Both existing MBUs have put in place online resources which provide information for the public and professionals on accessing MBU care and what to expect if an admission takes place.

The extension of free personal care to people under the age of 65 will benefit around 9000 people. We are working with local authorities on preparing for the implementation of the extension of Free Personal Care to under 65s by April 2019. This will involve local authorities assessing people’s needs, and where necessary, conducting financial assessments.

The Scottish Government has regular contact and discussion with NHS Boards covering matters relating to finance and performance. Details of engagements undertaken by Ministers since 2008 is available on the Scottish Government's website at the following addresses:

I wrote to the Health and Sport Committee on 16 November to provide an update on the Scottish Government’s progress on implementing the recommendations of the Montgomery Review of Access to New Medicines.

Since publication of the Montgomery Review in December 2016, we have been working closely with relevant partners, stakeholders, patient representatives, the third sector and the pharmaceutical industry to consider the most appropriate and effective way to take forward the recommendations.

Copies of the letter are available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 59333)