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The Scottish Government has published The Economic Impacts of Wind Farms on Scottish Tourism at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/03/07113554/0.

A key finding of the report is that wind farms and tourism can be compatible where wind farms are well sited.

This is a matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service. The information requested is not held centrally.

NHS National Services Scotland''s National Procurement Division (NPD) is NHSScotland''s centre of procurement expertise. In considering the procurement of medical devices, NPD takes into account a range of factors to ensure it delivers value for money to NHSScotland through effective procurement.

An innovative device need not necessarily be more expensive than the product it is replacing and the use of healthy competition in the contracting process ensures that there is an opportunity for new products to come to the market. Where NPD is aware of new technologies likely to come to market in the near future it is able to adjust its normal contract period to reflect the state of the market and the emergence of product enhancements.

NHS National Services Scotland''s National Procurement Division (NPD) is NHSScotland''s centre of procurement expertise. In considering the procurement of implantable medical devices, NPD adopts the same principles it applies to the procurement of all other commodities ensuring; cost improvements and efficiency savings; products and services are fit for purpose and of top quality; current and future generations of NHS products remain up to date and valid; an effective supply service, reducing stockpiling and wastage and improving timely distribution and; continued quality assurance.

Cost is one of the most significant contributions to the value of a contract, however, when considering a contract such as for medical devices, there are many other components of value. These include fitness for purpose, whole life costs and consumables, and any cost of change.

NHS National Services Scotland''s National Procurement Division (NPD) is NHSScotland''s centre of procurement expertise. In considering the operational lifetime and period of manufacturer''s guarantee, NPD ensures that whole life costs of the commodity are taken fully into account at the evaluation stage. Consideration of a contract for a medical device takes into account both the anticipated life of the device, as anticipated by the manufacturers and clinical experts, and the period of manufacturer''s guarantee.

The specific information requested is not available centrally. The number of patients with a diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria who have been treated in acute general hospitals in Scotland since 1999 is shown in the following table.

NHS Scotland: Total Number of Patients with a Diagnosis of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria and Treated in Hospital Since 1999

Year of Discharge	Number of Patients
1999	5
2000	9
2001	8
2002	4
2003	7
2004	7
2005	7
2006	8
2007	10
2008	15
2009	16

 

The Scottish Government''s Quality Strategy commits us to ensure that healthcare services are not only person-centred, but also effective and safe. 

While there has been considerable interest in Scotland in the potential adoption of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), this is a new technology the introduction of which requires expert opinion. NHSScotland''s National Planning Forum (NPF) has therefore performed a comprehensive review of TAVI, looking at the technology''s efficacy and safety, its cost and service design requirements, and potential future demand.  

The NPF has concluded that there is insufficient evidence, at this point in time, to support a recommendation that a TAVI service should be established in Scotland, on the basis that long term outcomes are unknown, there is only limited evidence of clinical efficacy and no evidence of cost effectiveness. The position is endorsed by the review of the available clinical and cost effectiveness evidence carried out by the Scottish Health Technologies Group.

I have therefore decided to accept this expert advice, but on the clear understanding that the position must be reviewed no later than in one year''s time, or sooner, should further evidence become available. I have asked that relevant clinicians are fully involved in the review of this evidence.

NHS boards will continue to ensure that local arrangements are in place so that people with severe aortic stenosis get access to appropriate clinical treatment. As part of those arrangements, it will still be possible for potential TAVI patients and their doctors to apply, through individual patient treatment request panels, for a consideration of their clinical case.

NHS boards are expected to manage costs for the treatment of particular conditions from their overall board funding allocation.

The Scottish Health Technology Group (SHTG) provides information to NHS boards on the clinical and cost effectiveness of existing and new technologies to support planning and decision making.

The most recent advice to NHS boards on transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was issued by the Scottish Health Technology Group (SHTG) on 5 August 2010. The SHTG advice statement noted that transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is not recommended for use for the treatment of patients with aortic stenosis. The statement can be accessed at:

http://www.nhshealthquality.org/nhsqis/files/TAVI_AdviceStatement_050810.pdf.

The Making Difficult Decisions in NHS Boards in Scotland report, published in March 2010, gives NHS boards outline guidance on managing individual patient decisions in relation to both medicines and technology.

Scottish Government officials met with stakeholders on 5 March and 17 June 2008, and on 2 April, 20 July, 5 August, 19 August, 11 September and 17 November 2009. Issues discussed at these meetings included a survey of bee colonies to determine the presence of Varroa mites showing resistance to pyrethroid treatments, the Bee Health Strategy for Scotland and the European and American Foulbrood outbreaks.

The Minister for Environment, Roseanna Cunningham MSP, met with stakeholders on 6 January 2010 to discuss developments in bee health. The Minister made it clear that the Scottish Government was not in a position to offer financial support for European Foulbrood control or compensation to businesses. The Minister agreed that we would look at spend under the EU Apiculture programme; stated that we had committed additional resources for bee inspectors, and that we would develop and enhance our existing resources while working with the industry on a disease control plan for 2010 and on the issue of antibiotic residues. The Minister also stated, without making firm commitments, that we would consider how to support working groups for the Bee Health Strategy and consider the issues raised in the paper tabled by the Bee Farmers Association at the meeting. The Scottish Government will also continue to develop the Bee Health Strategy within the resources available.

In addition the Scottish Government funded full time apiculture specialist at the Scottish Agricultural College liaises with stakeholders frequently during the provision of training, education and advice.