Scottish Parliament e-Brief
Issue 209, 5th July 2004

 

SECTION 1 - BUSINESS THIS WEEK

Parliament is in recess.

 

SECTION 2 – NEWS

Funding to tackle skills gaps
Grants worth more than £490,000 were today awarded to 17 projects which deliver training and development opportunities to Scotland’s workforce.

The Scottish Skills Fund (SSF) provides grant support to projects aimed at meeting the skills and training needs of industry.

The successful projects under round four of the Scottish Skills Fund include:

The SSF was set up by the Executive in April 2001 to help maintain existing skills projects; to continue to develop a learning culture; to tackle skills gaps, shortages and other issues; and to encourage skills development in employment sectors during the replacement of the National Training Organisation network with Sector Skills Councils.  The SSF has been allocated £0.5 million each year until 2005/06 to support sector skills.

Full story

More efficient procedures for Adults with Incapacity Act
Plans have been announced to make changes to Part 5 of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000,  following a consultation on the early stages of its implementation.

Part 5 of the Act, which came into force on  1st July 2002, clarifies the law for healthcare professionals who give medical treatment to adults with incapacity and, in doing so, provides important safeguards for a vulnerable group of people.

The first stages of implementation highlighted some concerns from doctors about the workload implications of the certification process under section 47 of the Act, which authorises medical treatment to be undertaken, and as set out in the Code of Practice which gives guidance on the operation of Part 5.

The Executive therefore proposes to make two changes to Part 5 of the Act when a suitable Bill becomes available. These are to allow:

Subject to consultation with key stakeholders, a revised Code of Practice is also to be published to bring greater clarity to current procedures and facilitate the operation of Part 5. The Executive is also currently considering providing enhanced training and education for healthcare professionals and other stakeholders in respect of this part of the Act.

Full story

 

SECTION 3 - NOTES ON THIS WEEK’S CHAMBER BUSINESS

Parliament is in recess.

  

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