Correspondence
Miscellaneous correspondence regarding the Health and Sport Committee's remit
On 15 May the Committee received a letter from the Minister for Public Health regarding the Provision of Infertility Services in Scotland.
On 2 May the Committee received a letter from the Minister for Public Health announcing the appointment of Rt Hon Lord Bonomy as the Chair of the Independent Commission on cremation and disposal of ashes.
On 26 April the Committee received a letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing regarding the Government's making its decision on the award of an uplift to GP pay for 2013/14.
On 18 April the Committee received a letter from the Minister for Public Health Health regarding the Certification of Death (Scotland) Act 2011.
On 18 April the Committee received a letter from the Minister for Public Health regarding establishing two expert advisory groups to inform the Scottish Government’s response to the horsemeat incident.
Independent Commission on cremation and treatment of ashes
On 16 April the Committee received a letter from the Minister for Public Health regarding the issue of radioactive particles and seafood at Dalgety Bay.
On 16 April the Committee received a letter from the Minister for Public Health in relation to establishing an independent commission that will inform new cremation and burial legislation.
Scottish Ambulance Service HEAT Standard and New Accident and Emergency HEAT Target
On 27 March the Committee received a letter from Derek Feeley, the Director-General Health & Social Care regarding the two changes to the HEAT system. These changes cover ambulance response times and year round 4 hour Accident and Emergency performance.
Contamination of processed beef products
On 22 March the Committee received a letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing informing of an announcement that requires that all NHS Boards ensure their grounds are smoke-free by March 2015.
On 15 March the Committee received a letter from the Minister for Public Health concerning unknown meat ingredients entering the human food chain.
NHS Pay Review Body
On 15 March the Committee received a letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing regarding the reports and recommendations for pay for 2013-14 from the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB) for staff covered by Agenda for Change terms and conditions and the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Pay Review Body (DDRB) for medical and dental staff.
Physical Education Targets
On 8 March the Committee received a letter from the Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport updating the Committee on its progress.
Neonatal death and cremation
On 7 March the Committee received a letter from the Minister for Public Health in relation to neonatal and cremation matters associated with recent events at Mortonhall Crematorium in Edinburgh.
Confidentiality Clauses
On 28 February the Committee received a copy of a letter from the Cabinet Secretary to Chairs and Chief Executives of NHS Boards regarding the Francis Inquiry and the use of confidentiality clauses for NHS Staff.
Unscheduled (Emergency) Care Action Plan
On 25 February the Committee received a letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing on the launch of the Emergency Care Action Plan
Mislabelling of horse meat in beef products
On 14 February 2013 the Committee received a letter from the Minister for Public Health updating the Committee on the contamination of processed beef products.
Contamination of processed beef products
On 25 January 2013 the Committee received a letter from the Minister for Public Health concerning the contamination of processed beef products with horse and pig DNA, the investigation being carried out by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and actions being taken in Scotland.
Individual Patient Treatment Requests
On 24 January 2012, the Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government regarding the present system of Individual Patient Treatment Requests:
Silicone breast implants
On 13 December 2011, the Committee closed Petition PE1378 by Mairi Johnston on silicone breast implants. In light of the very worrying press reports regarding breast implants manufactured by Poly Implant Prosthese (PIP), on 21 December 2011, the Convener wrote to the MHRA and the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy:
On 24 January 2012, the Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government and Independent Healthcare Advisory Service (IHAS) regarding patients in Scotland who have received PIP implants:
Related documents:
General correspondence with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing
Correspondence from Healthcare Environment Inspectorate
Correspondence from Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport