Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 17 January 2024
17 Jan 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
National Health Service Waiting Times
As a Government, we remain focused on ensuring that our health service continues to recover from the long-term effects of the pandemic. Scotland is not unique in facing those challenges, as services across the UK continue to be challenged. Too many people are waiting too long for treatment, and I am committed to delivering sustained improvements and reducing waiting times, year on year, across our NHS.
That is why, in our draft budget, we have provided funding of more than £19.5 billion for health and social care, which gives our NHS a real-terms uplift that is in stark contrast to the UK Government’s autumn statement, which shows a real-terms cut to NHS England.
Even in the face of unprecedented pressures, we continue to see progress following the introduction of our long waits targets. Since the targets were announced, we have seen a substantive reduction in new out-patient waits of more than two years, with 85 per cent of specialties having fewer than 10 waits.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-11874, in the name of Jackie Baillie, on ending long waits in the national health service. 16:01
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
Scotland saw in the new year with accident and emergency departments in utter disarray as thousands of people—the sick and the injured—experienced long and d...
The Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care (Michael Matheson)
SNP
As a Government, we remain focused on ensuring that our health service continues to recover from the long-term effects of the pandemic. Scotland is not uniqu...
Jackie Baillie
Lab
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Michael Matheson
SNP
I will if the member allows me to make progress first. The number of waits of more than 78 weeks reduced by 30.1 per cent as of September last year, and 34 ...
Jackie Baillie
Lab
Is it not the case that you promised to end those waits, not simply reduce them, and that, by your own measure, you have failed?
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Please always speak through the chair.
Michael Matheson
SNP
As I have set out, the reality is that we are making substantial progress, but, clearly, more needs to be done and we are determined to do that. I know that...
Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Will the cabinet secretary give way?
Michael Matheson
SNP
I need to make progress, given the limited time, I am afraid. For example, since 2021, we have invested £8.6 million in programmes through the Centre for Su...
Sandesh Gulhane (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests as a practising NHS general practitioner. There we have it: everything is fine h...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
In the Borders, people are having to wait 39 weeks for their first appointment for CAMHS treatment. The Government should apologise for the appalling lack of...
Sandesh Gulhane
Con
I could not agree more. Our kids are suffering and our SNP Government is not looking after them. Let us look at the NHS estate. The SNP’s manifesto pledged...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
I am very grateful to Jackie Baillie for bringing the motion to Parliament. Before I begin my remarks, I congratulate her on her investiture as a dame at the...
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
We move to the open debate. 16:22
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
This issue is perhaps the one that I hear most about from constituents across South Scotland, and that is why it is essential that it is given fair hearing h...
Clare Haughey (Rutherglen) (SNP)
SNP
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, which shows that I hold a bank nurse contract with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. As some...
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Once again, it was the pandemic that did it. That is the sole reason that we have heard from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care for the crisis ...
Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
We all admire the dedication and hard work of NHS staff. Whatever help we need, they go to incredible lengths to keep us healthy, and we owe them our thanks ...
Clare Haughey
SNP
Will the member give way?
Annie Wells
Con
I do not have time. I have a lot to say and I am in my final minute. The consequences of those systemic problems are that our excellent NHS staff cannot del...
Ivan McKee (Glasgow Provan) (SNP)
SNP
It is a pleasure to speak in this very short debate on Scotland’s health service. It is important to recognise at the outset the challenges that we face and ...
Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
I congratulate Dame Jackie Baillie on the honours that she received today. I am disappointed that she did not wear the hat to the chamber. When Opposition p...
Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP)
SNP
With regard to this afternoon’s debate on the NHS in Scotland, it is worth observing that the substantive motion before us from the Labour Party offers not a...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to winding-up speeches. 16:53
Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
The complacency of the SNP Government as the NHS spirals is staggering. As we have heard in the debate, from waiting times to workforce planning the NHS is i...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Always speak through the chair, please.
Tess White
Con
The SNP says that the NHS has record staffing levels, but the SNP does not like to hear the truth. The reality is that the NHS has massive vacancies and high...
Clare Haughey
SNP
Will the member give way?
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The member must conclude.