In line with the commitment set out in the Cancer Strategy, I can confirm that two radiotherapy physics trainee posts per annum were filled in 2015-16 and 2016-17.

The reporting of waiting times data was a standing item for discussion at the meetings of the Ministerial Steering Group (MSG) on Chronic Pain. Officials met with ISD on 13 January 2017 to provide feedback from patient representatives of the MSG following discussion of the waiting times publication at the MSG on 4 October 2016.

In relation to waiting times data for return appointments, the MSG maintained a position that as this data would not lead to better outcomes for people with chronic pain other options should be explored and subsequently approved progression of the development of a National Chronic Pain dataset.

The Ministerial group has been replaced by the National Advisory Committee for Chronic Pain, which met for the second time on 19 December 2017 and is chaired by Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Gregor Smith. That group, which includes patient representatives, will oversee the development of the National Chronic Pain dataset.

ISD adheres to the Code of Practice for Official Statistics which is underpinned by the Statistics and Registration Services Act (2007). This is achieved by listening to users of their statistics through consultations and adjusting their statistical outputs accordingly, ensuring their statistical reports are protected from any political pressures, and presenting statistics impartially and objectively.

As part of moving the Chronic Pain Waiting Times Publication from developmental status to Experimental Official Statistics, ISD carried out a consultation with users and published a report in October 2017. ISD will be implementing changes over forthcoming publications and are also happy to receive feedback on publications at any point in time.

The consultation ‘Promoting professionalism, reforming regulation’ is not due to close until 23:59 on 23 January 2018. As such, it would not be appropriate to comment on future options for the development of professional healthcare regulation.

It is open to anyone to refer a registered health professional to the appropriate regulator when concerns arise about their fitness to practise. Complaints handling procedures vary from regulator to regulator and the wide-ranging consultation seeks views on all aspects of regulation, up to and including the structure and number of the regulators themselves. It is important to note that the professional healthcare regulatory bodies operate on an independent basis, according to their respective legislation, and it is for them to consider and take appropriate action on complaints about registrants’ fitness to practise.

When a complaint is made against an employee, it is right that the Health Board as the employer is allowed the opportunity to investigate properly before making a decision about referring the matter to a professional regulator. However, where clear and serious concerns arise, Boards are entitled to and will often make an immediate referral in the interests of patient safety. The ability of a Board to look into complaints enables them to learn from mistakes and take immediate action to support effective clinical governance.

The legislative functions of Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) are broadly similar to those of the Care Quality Commission.

The functions and powers of HIS include: supporting, ensuring and monitoring the quality of healthcare provided or secured by NHS Scotland and the provision of quality assurance and accreditation. HIS also has powers in relation to inspections and registration of independent healthcare services.

In addition, Scottish Ministers have direction making powers under Section 10A(3) of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978: in carrying out its functions, HIS is to act subject to, and in accordance with, such directions as may be given by the Scottish Ministers.

The Scottish Government has regular discussions with NHS Lothian regarding the delay at the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh and these discussions will continue until the project is complete.

NHS Lothian have suffered unexpected initial delays on site, which included the liquidation of a crucial sub-contractor, severe weather and issues surrounding piling works.

NHS Lothian remain committed to delivering this flagship facility in a timely manner and to the highest of standards. They are working with the contractors to open the hospital as soon as possible and aim for moves to take place by autumn 2018. Their forensic work with IHSL and Multiplex will continue through regular meetings over the coming weeks and the Scottish Government will be kept fully informed of developments.

A variety of changes have been made for the 2017-2018 Health & Care Experience Survey to maximise efficiency and keep costs down, including:

• A number of aspects of the project which were previously contracted out have been brought in house.

• A survey contractor has been used for administrative aspects of the survey that, for logistical reasons, cannot be completed in house. Value for money was a key criteria in the evaluation of tenders submitted for this work.

• The look of the survey materials has been refreshed to better engage with survey respondents and increase response rates. This has included reducing the length of the questionnaire by a third.

• The sampling and weighting methodologies for the survey have been reviewed to ensure that they remain suitable and proportionate.

• Changes to the mail-out approach for the survey to encourage respondents to complete the survey online.

• Local level results, which have previously been published as static reports, will be presented via an interactive dashboard which will allow individuals and organisations to interrogate the data in different ways to meet their particular needs.

The 2015 Scottish Cancer Patient Experience Survey included all cancers covered by the ICD10 codes from C00 to C96 except C44 (malignant neoplasms) and C84 (some types of lymphomas). This is consistent with the approach taken for other UK Cancer Patient Experience Surveys.

The information requested is provided in the following table. The results of each iteration of the Health & Care Experience Survey (and its predecessor), including numbers of responses, are available at www.gov.scot/GPSurvey.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-13567 on
9 January 2018. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Scottish Government committed £100 million of funding to the cancer strategy ‘Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action’ over the 5 year period between 2016 - 2021. To date we have spent £34 million to implement the actions set out within the strategy and the remainder will be allocated over the next three years.