HC Deb 06 December 1993 vol 234 cc87-8W
Mr. McMaster

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what studies his Department is currently funding, supporting or participating in which have direct relevance to people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 1 December 1993]: The Scottish Office is currently funding 28 such studies to a total of £1.5 million. This demonstrates the Government's continuing commitment to their policy of encouraging people with disabilities to live independent lives fully integrated into the community. The studies are listed in the table.

Department and Study

Scottish Office Home and Health Department.

Chief Scientist Office.

  1. 1. The Development of a computerised compartmental pressure monitoring system for routine clinical use in management of long bone fractures.
  2. 2. Observational studies of individuals with profound mental handicap and physical and/or sensory disabilities in White Top Centre, University of Dundee.
  3. 3. Distortion characteristics sound quality and speech. Intelligibility for hearing aids.
  4. 4. The effect of long-term intermittent self-catherisation on bladder and renal function in the neuropathic bladder.
  5. 5. Interactive strategies of users of augmentative communication systems and their partners.
  6. 6. The determination of optimum wheel configurations for wheelchair users.
  7. 7. Enhancing the communicative competence of adult persons with severe learning difficulties (mental handicap).
  8. 8. Communication disorders in patients with dominant hemispheric intracranial neoplasms.
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  9. 9. Resettlement of severely disabled people in independent living units.
  10. 10. Measuring communication needs in children with profound mental handicap.
  11. 11. A comparison of neuropsychological and functional outcome following severe and moderate head injury; access to and uptake of rehabilitation services.
  12. 12. Objective assessment of central visual function in multiply handicapped children.
  13. 13. Measuring disfunction of basic movement control in cerebral palsy.
  14. 14. The development of language screening instruments for use with young children who may be language delayed.
  15. 15. Sustaining a fractured neck of femur and implications for more efficient use of health resources.
  16. 16. A randomised controlled trial of the effect of an exercise programme on the bone mass of elderly women.
  17. 17. Management of sub acute back pain; the validation of a "fear avoidance" questionnaire and an early behavioural intervention.
  18. 18. Evaluation of the functional independence measure (fim) as a measure of health care outcome for elderly acute hospital in-patients.
  19. 19. Evaluation of whole gut levage treatment of severe constipation.
  20. 20. A method of visual field analysis using digital signal processing of visual evoked potentials.

Central Research Unit

  1. 21. Information services for people with disabilities, their carers and service providers.
  2. 22. Assessment, plannning and resources in supported accommodation for adults with learning difficulties.
  3. 23. The costs and quality of care for disabled people in the community care framework.

Health Policy and Public Health Directorate

  1. 24. Volunteer Development Scotland project to test ways of involving volunteers with people with severe physical and mental handicaps in long-stay wards.

Scottish Office Education Department

  1. 25. Scottish Higher Education Funding Council project to support a database of services and facilities available to disabled students in the higher education sector.
  2. 26. Transition to Adulthood for Young People with Special Educational Needs:
  3. 27. Health Education in Scottish Schools: Meeting Special Educational Needs.

Scottish Office Environment Department

  1. 28. Construction Industry Research and Information Association study on design guidance for improving existing buildings, to which the public are admitted, for disabled people.