The cumulative total of brief interventions undertaken between April 2008 and March 2009 were 26,499. The breakdown for each NHS board is as follows:

Note: Owing to changes in partnership working arrangements, which resulted in a longer lead in period, NHS Orkney reported zero alcohol brief interventions in 2008-09. Delivery is now fully underway and NHS Orkney has reported 155 alcohol brief interventions have been undertaken across primary care and accident and emergency between April 2009 and end September 2009.

(a) Overweight and Obesity in Children in Scotland, 1998-2008

Source: Scottish Health Survey.

Notes:

1. Defined as BMI at or above 85th percentile of the UK reference curves.

2. Defined as BMI at or above 95th percentile of the UK reference curves.

3. Defined as BMI at or above 98th percentile of the UK reference curves.

(b) Overweight and Obesity in Adults in Scotland, 1998-2008

Source: Scottish Health Survey.

Note: 1. The 16 to 64 age group has been used as a consistent measure across the three surveys as people aged over 65 were not surveyed in 1998. From 2003 onwards, all adults aged 16+ and headline figures on obesity prevalence generally relate to this age group.

Results are not available broken down by NHS board for 2008, as sample sizes are not large enough to produce board level results after a single year. NHS board level results will be published in 2012, based on combined data from 2008-11.

Some key results from the 2003 survey were provided by NHS board area, although the results of some boards have been amalgamated due to small sample sizes. This analysis is available on the Scottish Health Survey website via the following link:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/11/25145024/50256.

Table 1 shows the number of A&E departments per 100,000 population, for the years 1999 to 2006. The numbers of smaller hospitals offering A&E services and minor injury units are not available for this period.

Table 1: Number of A&E Departments^a per 100,000 population - 1999 to 2006

Notes:

A. All A&E departments. Smaller hospitals offering A&E services and minor injury units are not included.

B. Calculated using the latest 2008 mid-year population estimates (source: GROS).

C. On 1 April 2006, Argyll and Clyde was dissolved and restructured into Greater Glasgow and Highland. Greater Glasgow was renamed as Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Table 2 shows both the number of A&E departments (core sites) and the number of smaller hospitals offering A&E services and minor injury units (non core sites) per 100,000 population, for the years 2007 to 2009.

Table 2: Number of A&E Departments and Other A&E Services Per 100,000 Population “ 2007-09

Notes:

A. Calculated using the latest 2008 mid-year population estimates (source: GROS).

B. Other includes all smaller hospitals offering A&E services and minor injury units.

In March 2008, the Scottish Government published and disseminated guidance for commissioners of services for people on the autism spectrum in local authorities and health boards, which sets out recommendations for planning appropriate services. This guidance can be found at the following link http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/03/27085247/0.

Annex A of the above guidance sets out a national diagnostic standard for autism spectrum disorder diagnostic standards.

http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/deaths/suicides/index.html.

This waiting time target means that by March 2013 no one will wait longer than 26 weeks from referral to treatment for specialist child and adolescent mental health services.

The work with NHS boards includes ensuring that appropriate systems are in place to properly monitor their performance. Data definitions and systems will be piloted from January to March next year to give a final baseline for setting the trajectories to be achieved from April 2010.

http://www.bettertogetherscotland.com/bettertogetherscotland/CCC_FirstPage.jsp.

Research around the barriers to making an NHS complaint, commissioned by the Scottish Health Council and recently completed, has identified that one of the main reasons that people complain is for the benefit of future patients. Complaints should be welcomed by NHS Scotland as a valuable tool in reviewing and improving the care and services it provides. My officials are now considering how best to implement the research recommendations, including those around patient information and feedback.

Whether a complaint is resolved locally or has been before the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO), the complainant receives an apology from the relevant NHS service provider for any shortcomings and is advised of the steps that are being taken to address the concerns that have been raised.

There were 20 PICU beds in Scotland between May 2007 and November 2007, this capacity increased to 21 beds in November 2007. In April 2007, the PICU capacity increased to 23 beds and increased to 24 beds in December 2008.

Occupancy for the two units over the period is detailed in the following table:

This support may include further investigation or counselling, but should be tailored to the individual needs of each patient.

Additionally, a patient may be referred to the appropriate voluntary sector organisation.