Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 17 November 2021
17 Nov 2021 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Medical Students (Funded Places)
I acknowledge that having free tuition in this country is the best way of widening that access and addressing any shortfalls in staffing, which we are making great progress on.
Although certain things have been outwith our control, we can influence the way in which we value our healthcare workers. An immense burden has been placed on their shoulders and, as we brace for winter, we assure Scottish medical students that there will always be a place for them and they will always be fully supported in achieving their goals and reaching their full potential, not least because of free tuition in Scotland.
17:15In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next of business is a debate on motion S6M-02139, in the name of Sandesh Gulhane, on removing the cap on funded places for front-line medical students. I...
Sandesh Gulhane (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
Imagine a scenario in which a country’s health service is in crisis, struggling to deliver timely care after years of failed workforce planning. Imagine that...
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Humza Yousaf)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Sandesh Gulhane
Con
I am sorry; I am a bit tight for time. It is important that we listen to the professional organisations that exist to protect patients and improve education...
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Humza Yousaf)
SNP
Sandesh Gulhane’s motion asks us to remove the controlled intake cap on funded training places for students from Scotland studying for front-line NHS roles. ...
Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
Does the cabinet secretary acknowledge that almost every medic we speak to says that there is a shortage of doctors, with one of the reasons for that being t...
Humza Yousaf
SNP
I agree that we need to increase the number of medical graduates and, in turn, doctors. That is why our manifesto committed to increasing the number of medic...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
I have much sympathy with the intention that underlies the Conservative motion, so we will support it at decision time, but I am genuinely concerned about th...
Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Jackie Baillie
Lab
I am afraid that I do not have time. Let us also ensure that a long-term pay deal is in place that addresses low pay in the health and social care sector to...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
I thank Dr Sandesh Gulhane for securing time for this important debate. It is dispiriting that, once again, it is Opposition time that has been given over to...
Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
We have all witnessed the impact that a front-line medical staff shortage has had on our NHS. Shortages put pressure on our heroic NHS staff, who work tirele...
Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP)
SNP
I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in the debate. It is important that we set the context for the debate. Staffing levels in NHS Scotland are at an a...
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
For me and most of my constituents, this is a simple issue. It is about doing what is right to help an NHS that is struggling to keep its head above water an...
Humza Yousaf
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Very briefly; the member is closing.
Humza Yousaf
SNP
Can the member tell me briefly how much a wage of £15 an hour for social care workers would cost and where in the health budget she would take the money from?
Carol Mochan
Lab
This is what the Government does time and again. It tries to move the debate away from what we know will solve many of those problems. The trade unions tell ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you, Ms Mochan.
Carol Mochan
Lab
It starts with pay, wellbeing measures and workforce planning, not spin. 17:11
Kaukab Stewart (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)
SNP
Standing in the Scottish Parliament, we are fortunate that we get to experience visceral reminders of the rich history of our country. Since the 18th century...
Carol Mochan
Lab
Does the member acknowledge that there were staffing problems before Covid and that it is not just Covid that has caused those problems?
Kaukab Stewart
SNP
I acknowledge that having free tuition in this country is the best way of widening that access and addressing any shortfalls in staffing, which we are making...
Sue Webber (Lothian) (Con)
Con
Our NHS is under pressure like never before, and it is increasingly clear that the SNP has no positive ideas for how to turn things around. All that it offer...
Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green)
Green
The pandemic has been an extremely difficult time for all those who are learning and working in the NHS, and I, too, express my sincere thanks to them for th...
Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP)
SNP
Presiding Officer, “We need a recruitment and retention strategy with real teeth because it is evident the one in place by Labour ministers is totally ineff...
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
As has been said throughout the debate, although the chronic shortages of staff in our NHS have been exacerbated by the pandemic, they were not caused by it....
Humza Yousaf
SNP
I was not glum.
Michael Marra
Lab
The photo that I saw was pretty glum. It was not only the risible figure of £7 million that attracted ridicule but, crucially, the fact that there are no GP...
Humza Yousaf
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?