Hansard

Once again, we have had a most useful debate. Members' business debates have made a massive contribution to the new politics in Scotland. The debate highlighted the importance of joined-up policy, to which Fiona Hyslop referred.

I congratulate Cathy Jamieson on highlighting this most important topic. I also congratulate East Ayrshire Council on developing a community safety strategy in the way that has been described.

The themes of today's debate remind us of two key themes from "Our National Health", the action plan that was published last week. The plan emphasised the importance of promoting health and preventing illness. The debate reminded us that we cannot sensibly deal effectively with our public health problems if we isolate them from their wider context of social and economic deprivation.

As Alex Neil and others reminded us, there is a clear link between the accidents that have been discussed today and social deprivation. A recent paper noted that, between 1981 and 1995, the most deprived groups of the population experienced double the rate of injury mortality that the most advantaged groups experienced. That relationship did not change during those 15 years. Other research suggests an even larger gap.

The motion refers to road safety. We can take some—but only a little—encouragement from recent statistics. However, the Executive has set new targets. By 2010, we want a 40 per cent reduction in fatal and serious casualties as a whole and a 50 per cent reduction in accidents involving children. Those targets are underpinned by a Great Britain-wide road safety strategy called "Tomorrow's roads: safer for everyone".

Today, we heard of further initiatives that will help to achieve those objectives, such as the home zones, which we approved this afternoon. I also remind members of the safer routes to school initiative, into which the Executive has put more than £5 million.

Margaret Jamieson highlighted the importance of fire safety. The Executive and the Scottish fire brigades actively promote community fire safety through paid publicity and educational packages and the provision of direct advice and assistance. Moreover, smoke alarms have provided a huge boost to home safety; even wider use will pay dividends in lives saved. However, Margaret Jamieson correctly reminded us of how many people have alarms that are not working. She referred to Strathclyde fire brigade's suggestion on the installation of sprinklers in new and refurbished homes. I cannot give an immediate response to that, but I am sure that consideration will be given to that important proposal.

On accidents at home, some statistics may help to add context to the debate. Tragically, 47 accidental deaths of children under 15 were recorded in 1999. That was an improvement on the 67 deaths in the previous year and higher figures earlier in the decade. However, as Mary Scanlon reminded us, fewer deaths can coexist with more accidents. As Cathy Jamieson pointed out, we need information to inform our strategies. I agree with the reference in the motion to the need for greater sophistication in the accident data that we collect. That is an area that will be given further consideration.

Many speakers referred to a group that is especially prone to accidents: the elderly. The accidental death rate among over-75s in 1998 was nearly five times higher than among those between 65 and 74, who themselves experienced a higher rate than the other age groups. Health boards and local authorities have recognised for some time that there must be a continuing effort to minimise the incidence and severity of falls and other accidents in the home. Indeed, various initiatives at local level have been launched to make an impact on that problem. Maureen Macmillan and Richard Simpson emphasised the importance of home helps in that regard.

A further initiative has come from the Health Education Board for Scotland, which recently produced a report on preventing falls among the elderly. Following that report, a group is seeking to develop a strategy document, which should be helpful for health boards, local authorities and voluntary bodies that are active in this area. Among other things, it is likely to recommend improved capacity building, the development of suitable printed materials for local agencies and training for health visitors. Richard Simpson referred to that earlier. Health visitors are important both for the elderly and for children, who are another key group in accident prevention. The training of health visitors is important, and we all look forward to the paper that will be published in January on the public health role of health visitors and nurses.

How long have I got, Presiding Officer?