Meeting of the Parliament 02 March 2016
None of the closures has been approved—none at all. That is, of course, unlike the record of the previous Administration.
Members will understand why we feel very confident in comparing our record on safeguarding those key local services with that of the Labour Party. Actions speak louder than words.
The Government has not only adopted a rigorous evidence-based approach to developing health policy, but we have been consistent in ensuring the full involvement and engagement of service users and local communities throughout. We have a coherent plan in the national clinical strategy and, of course, the national conversation, which was launched last August, seeks public views on the ideas and asks people what their priorities are. I contrast that with the rag, tag and bobtail motion that was clearly written on the back of a fag packet and which is to do with trying to save the seats of a number of Labour MSPs; it has nothing to do with wanting to protect vital local services.
Labour has no coherent health policy and is bereft of ideas, with nothing to offer the Scottish people. The paucity of the motion demonstrates that.
I move amendment S4M-15766, to leave out from “is deeply concerned” to end and insert:
“recognises that NHS staffing and funding are at record high levels; supports the frontline NHS resource budget increasing in at least real terms in the next parliamentary session; welcomes the Scottish Government’s record of protecting local services, including saving A&E departments in Monklands and Ayr; endorses the recently published A National Clinical Strategy for Scotland with its aim to provide more care where people need it, with as much care as possible delivered locally, and is committed to maintaining and improving safe and effective local services across Scotland, including in the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Vale of Leven Hospital, Lightburn Hospital and St John’s Hospital.”
15:05Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.
- S4M-15766 Health Motion