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Consultations
We are often invited to respond to a range of consultation papers - and you can too!
The following consultations are listed with closing dates for your assistance.
Links will take you to external sites and open in new windows/tabs.
Current consultations
Equality Duty: Putting it into Practice
The Scottish Government is seeking views on the duties that should be placed on Scottish public authorities to assist them deliver on the general Equality Duty outlined in the UK Government's Equality Bill. For more information, go to http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/09/28154835/0.
BSL:UPTAKE has translated the summary and questions for this Scottish Government consultation. It can be viewed on the BSL:UPTAKE website: www.bsluptake.org.uk/?p=1016. You can respond by post, email or in BSL.
This is your chance to tell the Scottish Government what you think. Please do respond.
The closing date for responses is now: 29th January 2010.
We have submitted our response. Download a copy in Word | pdf
BBC ALBA is a Gaelic language television channel currently available on satellite and via BBC iPlayer. It aims to serve Gaelic speakers, those learning the language, those that might wish to learn, and those interested in the language and culture. The channel aims to reflect and support Gaelic culture, identity and heritage.
After 12 months, the BBC gave a commitment to review how the channel is performing. As part of the review, the BBC is to consider whether to make the channel available to more people by putting it on Freeview (it is currently only available via satellite and limited cable suppliers). There is only a limited amount of space on Freeview that the BBC can use. The proposal is to remove the BBC’s network radio stations - from Freeview in Scotland-only - when BBC ALBA is on air.
SCoD recognises that the removal of the radio stations will not have an impact on deaf people in Scotland, but as there are very few programmes for Deaf BSL users, the fact that the BBC is willing to consider using this space for the Gaelic Channel could be seen as effectively ruling out any chance of a BSL channel in Scotland should it ever be proposed. It might be worth taking part in the online survey and asking whether or not the BBC has considered a BSL Channel on Freeview.
To take part, follow this link:
www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/consultations/departments/bbc/bbc-alba-review/consultation/consult_view.
The survey closes on 18th January 2010.
Organisations can also take part in the consultation. The consultation document is available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/consult/alba/bbc_alba_consultation.pdf.
Past consultations
Consultation on equality and diversity support in colleges and universities
Earlier this year, the Scottish Funding Council announced that funding would no longer be continued for Equality Forward, the equalities support agency for colleges and universities. As a result, the Funding Council is now seeking views on how colleges and universities can be supported with their equality and diversity work. This includes feedback on a proposed four-level approach to equality and diversity, which includes:
Level 1 - Advice and guidance: providing basic support to colleges and universities through website resources, reports, toolkits and seminars.
Level 2 - Targeted development and capacity building: identifying where carefully targeted proactive research, support and guidance can significantly impact on equalities outcomes.
Level 3 - Equalities leadership: aiming to ensure that equalities become a leadership issue over and above the roles of specific equalities practitioners.
Level 4 - Systemic change/integration: equality and diversity concepts should become embedded effectively as the norm into everyday activities in colleges and universities.
You can access the full consultation document ad further details from:
http://www.sfc.ac.uk/news_events_circulars/Consultations/2009/SFC0409C.aspx
Closed: 9th October.
Mental Health Review Consultation
The Scottish Government would like to know what your views are about the recommendations made by the Mental Health Review group in their report to Scottish Ministers. The specific areas that they want your comments on are Named Persons, Medical Examinations and Reports and the Tribunal if you have to attend more than one hearing. The review report also mentions Advance Statements and access to Independent Advocacy. To read the consultation document go to http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/08/07143902/0 . SCoD will be putting together a response to this consultation. If you have any comment to make about anything said in the review report, please contact Mandy at mandy@scod.org.uk or by telephone/textphone 0141 248 1854 or by post.
Closed: 6th November.
Privacy and Public Confidence in Scottish Public Services: draft Identity Management and Privacy Principles consultation
People are often asked by public service organisations to prove that they are who they say they are - either to prevent fraud or to show that they are entitled to receive a particular service or benefit. They want to know that public authorities and other organisations respect their privacy and recognise the harm which may be done if personal information is collected or held unnecessarily, or lost or misused. These draft Principles have been developed by the Scottish Government to help ensure that respect for privacy is central to the way public services prove identity or entitlement and to help public service organisations comply with data protection and human rights legislation.
The consultation is available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/08/PrinciplesConsultation .
Closed: Monday 23rd November.
The Debt Arrangement Scheme - Improving Access
The Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) allows people time to repay multiple debts over an extended period, through a formal Debt Payment Programme ( DPP). The Scottish Government has published a consultation providing information on the scheme and invites responses from interested parties to contribute to the continued development of a robust and effective mechanism to allow the people of Scotland to manage their debt. To read the consultation document, go to http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/09/22141137/0.
Closed: 14th December.
The Right to Control
The Office for Disability Issues (UK Government) has launched a consultation to ask disabled people how to make choice and control a reality in their lives. The consultation invites disabled people, organisations, public bodies, service providers and commissioners to submit their views on the best way to deliver the Right to Control.
The Right to Control is about shifting the balance of power from the state to the individual and recognising that disabled people are the experts in their own lives.
Closed: 30/09/09.
For more information, go to http://www.odi.gov.uk/working/right-to-control.php.
To order a copy of the consultation in BSL on DVD email right.control@dwp.gsi.gov.uk or telephone 020 7449 5093.
Draft Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland 2009
Scottish Ministers have to prepare a document setting out priorities and objectives for Scotland's Fire and Rescue Authorities. The consultation is available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/06/19102633/0.
Closed: 20/09/09.
Draft Housing (Scotland) Bill
The consultation paper outlines the Government’s proposals for a Bill that would safeguard social housing for the future, by reforming the law on Right to Buy, and would improve the value that tenants and taxpayers receive from social housing.
To read the paper go to http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/04/27095102/0.
Closed: 14/08/09.
Regulation of Bus Services Bill
Charlie Gordon (MSP for Glasgow Cathcart) has put forward a Member’s Bill that proposes to provide transport authorities with powers relating to the provision of local bus services and their standards and to widen the National Bus Travel Concession Scheme.
The Bill will authorise free bus travel for anyone who gets the lower rate of Disability Living Allowance, and their carer or escort and will extend the current concessionary scheme to include community transport organisations that run bus services in rural areas where there are no commercial services – this will improve access to public transport for older and disabled people.
The paper can be downloaded as a pdf:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/bills/MembersBills/pdfs/RegulationBusServicesConsultation.pdf
Closed: 27/02/09
Proposed Palliative Care (Scotland) Bill
Roseanna Cunningham (MSP for Perth) has put forward a Member’s Bill to call for needs-based palliative care to be available on demand.
Palliative care is provided for people who have a terminal illness or condition to ensure that they end their lives without pain and with dignity. At the moment, there is no legal requirement to provide high-quality palliative care to those in need.
The Scottish Government has acknowledged that there is a need to improve this form of care and has put together a palliative care plan.
This proposed bill wants to put a legal obligation on all local NHS Boards to make improvements.
Closed: 28/02/09
Patients' Rights
The Scottish Government has published a consultation on Patients’ Rights and it is for anyone who uses the NHS in Scotland in any way. The consultation paper is in two parts:
Part 1 - seeks views on the development of a legal framework for what individuals can expect from the NHS in Scotland and what can be expected from them. It does so by looking at what: you have a right to expect including, for example, a new in-patient and day case waiting time guarantee; your responsibilities are; involvement and support you can expect in decisions about your own health and about the health services 3 you use; and you can expect to happen if things go wrong.
Part 2 - explains how you can respond to the consultation.
Closed: 16/01/09
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/09/22091148/2
Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 Review
SCoD put together a response to the Mental Health Act Review.
If you are deaf, care for a deaf person or support deaf people in the community/hospital and would like to have your comments included in this response, please download the full document the link at the foot of this page to the information from the Review Group and email any comments to Mandy Reid, Policy & Research Officer at mandy@scod.org.uk or send them by post to:
Mandy Reid, Scottish Council on Deafness, Central Chambers Suite 62, 93 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 6LD.
Mandy does not need your name – if you want to remain anonymous – but she does need to know where in Scotland you live/work and if you are:
· Deaf yourself;
· A carer for a deaf person; or
· Support deaf people in the community or in hospital.
Scotland's Mental Health Act Review (pdf, opens a new tab/window)
No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility – Department of Work and Pensions Consultation
This paper is a wide ranging consultation on the future of welfare.
The Green Paper sets out plans for improving support and work incentives to create a system that rewards responsibility. The majority of people of working age – who can work now or at some point in the future – and their families will no longer be on benefits for life. For more information go to http://www.dwp.gov.uk/welfarereform/noonewrittenoff/ (new tab/window).
For a summary of the consultation in BSL, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8JcZL_fcLw.
Better Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke Care
Coronary Heart Disease and stroke continues to be one of the clinical priorities of NHSScotland, not least because much cardiovascular disease can be prevented, and because of its association with significant health inequalities.
The national strategy is being refreshed to bring it into line with Better Health, Better Care. This consultation emphasises the importance we attach to making sure that people in Scotland with heart disease or who have had a stroke get access to care that stands in comparison with the best elsewhere in the world.
We would like to see contributions from people who have any form of cardiac disease or who have had a stroke, their families and carers, the voluntary sector organisations which act as the advocates of people with any kind of cardiovascular disease, and those who have a personal or professional interest in any of the issues covered by the consultation document.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/07/30105717/0
NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) Stakeholder Consultation
The main consultation document provides information on NHS QIS’ strategic direction and on their processes for determining what work they undertake. To read the consultation documents, go to http://www.nhshealthquality.org/nhsqis/files/Stakeholder%20consultation_MAIN_FINAL_lores.pdf.
Adult Support & Protection (Scotland) Act 2007
Part 1 of the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 is due to start in autumn 2008.
The Act introduces new measures to protect adults at risk of harm. These include rights of entry to a person’s home, day care centres, care homes, etc where adults are thought to be at risk of harm; the introduction of a range of protection orders including assessment, removal and banning orders and the creation of local multi-agency Adult Protection Committees (APCs) across Scotland.
The Scottish Government is asking for responses to the draft Guidance for the APCs.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/224098/0060538.pdf
Code of Practice:
The Scottish Government has published the consultation responses submitted for the Code of Practice for Part 1 of the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 (ASP) and associated regulations on performing Council Officer Functions. SCoD’s response is available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/233843/0064038.pdf
Better Cancer Care - A Discussion
A national discussion has been launched on future priorities for cancer care in Scotland. This will give patients, carers, healthcare professionals and the public the opportunity to reflect on the progress made in recent years, acknowledge some of the challenges that remain and help the Scottish Government to focus activity on improving services.
Closed: 05/05/08
Taking Forward The Government Economic Strategy: A Discussion Paper on Tackling Poverty, Inequality and Deprivation in Scotland
This discussion paper is designed to inform the development of a framework for delivering on the aspects of the strategy related to tackling poverty, inequality and deprivation in Scotland.
Closed: 02/05/08
The Scottish Government has published the responses it received on the consultation: