Janis Hughes: I thank Mr Gallie for taking an intervention. Does he agree that, although the Airdrie to Bathgate link will vastly improve rail services across that part of the country, in particular for the people of Blackridge and Plains, who hope to get new stations in the future, the link would be greatly enhanced by the creation of Glasgow crossrail, which is the missing link in Scotland's rail network?
Janis Hughes: Like my committee colleagues, I thank the clerks to the Health Committee for their support throughout our consideration of this at times rather difficult bill. The work that is done in the committees of Parliament is the cornerstone of what we do. Without the hard work and dedication of the committee clerks, it would be so much more difficult. I very much appreciate their help. As other...
Janis Hughes: To ask the Scottish Executive what personal details would be required for the operation of a local income tax. (S2O-11768)
Janis Hughes: Does the minister believe that people are generally aware that their income data would be available to local authorities? Do they understand the implications of that?
Janis Hughes: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a position on the practice of individual drug companies choosing to sell their products through one wholesaler.
Janis Hughes: In my time on the Health Committee, we have scrutinised a raft of legislation on many subjects, and the bill is definitely up there with those that have engendered the most debate. As we have heard, the committee deliberated long and hard over its stage 1 report. It seemed that we had to determine not only whether the bill was good law, but whether it was necessary to introduce a new bill or...
Janis Hughes: To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in developing electronic health records for national health service patients in Scotland. (S2O-11018)
Janis Hughes: I am sure that the minister is aware of the necessity of effective information technology in ensuring patient safety and improving patient care, especially when care is provided at various sites. Can he assure me that the appropriate technology to ensure that will be in place when the new ambulatory care facilities open at the Victoria infirmary and Stobhill hospital?
Janis Hughes: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase the number of neighbourhood wardens in light of their performance in tackling antisocial behaviour in our communities. (S2O-10865)
Janis Hughes: I am sure that the minister will agree that although we all accept that wardens are not a replacement for police officers, their visible presence on the streets can make a significant contribution to crime prevention. The award to a group of wardens from Renfrewshire at last night's standing up to antisocial behaviour awards ceremony is testament to the good work that they can do in tackling...
Janis Hughes: To ask the Scottish Executive what treatments are currently available for wet age-related macular degeneration. (S2O-10678)
Janis Hughes: I am pleased that the minister mentioned Macugen. As he will be aware, research has shown that Macugen can reduce the risk of moderate to severe vision loss and can even improve vision in some cases. Can he assure me that the treatment will be readily available to those patients for whom it is deemed to be clinically appropriate?
Janis Hughes: There can be little doubt that Parliament is proud of the introduction of free personal care for all of Scotland's elderly population. The Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 was supported by all parties and the policy is rightly seen as one of Parliament's most significant achievements. As a member of the Health Committee when both the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002...
Janis Hughes: Yes. The committee concluded that there are discrepancies in interpretation of the guidance. We raised the matter with the Executive and included it in our report—I will talk more about it. I hope that the minister will tell us what progress has been made in addressing the issue. During our inquiry, two common misconceptions emerged about what free personal care will deliver. First, there...
Janis Hughes: To ask the Scottish Executive how it will respond to the cancer costs study carried out by Macmillan Cancer Support. (S2O-10489)
Janis Hughes: I am pleased that the minister has issued guidance on the schemes that are in existence. As he may be aware, patients in Scotland who travel to hospital for cancer care endure an average of 37 trips and costs of £395 during the course of their treatment. Will he consider extending the current schemes to assist those patients?
Janis Hughes: I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate mainly because I think that it is important to put the record straight with regard to the SNP's record on health. As the Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care said, when we debated "Delivering for Health" last year, there was agreement in this chamber on its key principles. Indeed, when we debated the same issue earlier this year, Mr...
Janis Hughes: I do not think that Mr Neil disagrees with his colleague. In any case, he will have a chance to make a speech soon. I took Mr Swinney's words to mean that he is not averse to change. Indeed, we have heard from Ms Robison this morning that the SNP's motion is not about rejecting change. However, funnily enough, when change was proposed in Glasgow, the SNP objected to it as well, as we have...
Janis Hughes: No, I will carry on. Changing the way in which we deliver health care to streamline the patient journey, establishing community casualty units where those with minor injuries and ailments will not have to wait for hours before being attended to, separating planned and emergency care so that cancellation of surgery will not cause the distress that it so often causes at present, introducing...
Janis Hughes: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a statement on the future of the blood processing activities of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, including the Protein Fractionation Centre.