Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 15 June 2021
15 Jun 2021 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Women’s Health
I am grateful for the point of order. Let us see how we get on. We can make an assessment about that later, during the debate.
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-00369, in the name of Maree Todd, on women’s health. I invite members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons now. For those who are joining us remotely, please put an R in the chat function. I call Maree Todd to speak to and move the motion.
16:05References in this contribution
Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.
- S6M-00369 Women’s Health Motion
In the same item of business
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Given that we are starting the next item of business 14 minutes later than we thought that we would be, is there any ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I am grateful for the point of order. Let us see how we get on. We can make an assessment about that later, during the debate. The next item of business i...
The Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport (Maree Todd)
SNP
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed and challenged almost all aspects of life, but its impact has not been felt equally across the population. Women have been ...
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the minister to her new post and agree with what she has said so far. Does she agree that, if we are to get the benefit of all those measures, we n...
Maree Todd
SNP
It is certainly the case that the challenge does not start only in the doctor’s surgery; it is a societal one. We need to bring about a change and ensure tha...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
On the issue of inequality, will the minister commit to reforming care allowance as soon as possible, to ensure that unpaid carers—who, as I am sure that she...
Maree Todd
SNP
Jackie Baillie will be aware that that issue does not fall within my portfolio, but I am well aware of the fact that more women are carers, and that that is ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Thank you for keeping to your time as well as taking interventions, minister. 16:16
Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak in the debate. First, I take the opportunity to lend my support to cervical screening awareness week. Cervica...
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
It is very welcome that women’s health is receiving some of the spotlight that it deserves in the chamber today. I am delighted to be opening for Scottish La...
Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green)
Green
I take the opportunity to congratulate the minister on her appointment. I look forward to working with her over the coming years. I also thank everyone who s...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Your incorporation of your amendment was elegantly done, Ms Mackay. I call Beatrice Wishart to speak for four minutes, after which we will move to the open ...
Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
I, too, am grateful for the opportunity to take part in the debate and to help to bring women’s health issues in from the sidelines. Many of us scoffed when...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Thank you, Ms Wishart. I think that all the lodged amendments have now been given an airing. We move to the open debate. The first speaker will be Evelyn Tw...
Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP)
SNP
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and welcome to your new role. My congratulations go to Maree Todd, too. It is the privilege and honour of my life to be...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Well done, Ms Tweed. I call Craig Hoy. 16:42
Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I welcome you to your place and the minister to her new position. The consequences of Covid will live with us for a lon...
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
I congratulate my colleague Evelyn Tweed on her excellent first speech in Parliament. Women’s health is important to men, too: we have mothers, daughters, s...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
That is a timely warning to us all. 16:51
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I very much welcome this debate on women’s health. The creation of a plan that provides a co-ordinated and inclusive strategy for women’s health is overdue, ...
Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
In my first speech, I raised the hope that our new Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport would place importance on improving treatment for end...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
Never has there been a more pressing time than the present to debate women’s health issues. After the past 15 months, we have seen waiting times soar, an inc...
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
I call Siobhian Brown. This is Ms Brown’s first speech in the chamber. 17:03
Siobhian Brown (Ayr) (SNP)
SNP
I thank the minister for leading today’s important debate on women’s health. It is so important that we do not ignore early signs of disease, because early d...
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
It is a true privilege to follow such a powerful first speech from Siobhian Brown. She speaks powerfully of her community, which will do well in her hands, a...
Gillian Mackay
Green
I offer my congratulations to Evelyn Tweed and Siobhian Brown on their first speeches. Many colleagues have raised during the debate the importance of women...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
I, too, congratulate Siobhian Brown and Evelyn Tweed on their first speeches in the chamber. I welcome the opportunity to close the debate for Scottish Labou...
Sandesh Gulhane (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
I declare an interest, in that I am a practising doctor. Healthcare inequality exists. In fact, it is rife in the health service and in society at large. Th...
Monica Lennon
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Sandesh Gulhane
Con
I will if the Presiding Officer will give me some time back.