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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.

While polices, frameworks and resources are provided by the Scottish Government, it is for each NHS board to decide how best to plan and deliver high quality, safe and sustainable services to meet the needs of their population.

The Scottish Government recognises the potential benefits of the physician associate (PA) role and is currently exploring ways in which PAs can be integrated into the NHSScotland workforce.

All the vehicles listed were purchased outright.

The following table provide a breakdown of the car leasing and fuel costs contained within paragraph 3.3 of the Annual State of the NHSScotland Assets and Facilities Report for 2012:

Figures were based on best estimates at the time of publication. A detailed analysis was carried out post publication which showed that actual net Car Leasing costs were £13.2 million for 2012.

Notes:

1. Car Lease costs are for Staff Car Lease Scheme vehicles and for all other Operational/Pool cars that are leased.

2. The fuel costs include fuel for operational vehicles and claims that are made by staff for their Lease Cars.