Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 12 November 2024
12 Nov 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Women’s Health Plan 2021 to 2024
It gives me pleasure to speak for the Liberal Democrats in what is a vital debate. I am grateful to Jenny Minto for securing Government time to bring the debate to the chamber. We do not speak about the topic often enough in this place, not least given that women make up more than 50 per cent of our society and are vital to our economy, yet many of the health issues that we are talking about today are particularly gendered in nature.
Before I talk about the Scotland-specific picture and the report and plan that we are debating, it would be remiss of me not to recognise the events of last week—in particular, what the election of Donald Trump for a second term means for the reproductive healthcare rights of women in America. That was a dark day. All three branches of Government are now stacked against the freedoms that we take for granted in this country, and we hold those women in our thoughts. I am proud that we have not only resolved to safeguard those rights here in Scotland but committed to enhancing the quality, accessibility and range of healthcare services that are essential to women’s bodily autonomy and wellbeing.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-15382, in the name of Jenni Minto, on progress and next steps on the women’s health plan 2021 to 2024. 1...
The Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health (Jenni Minto)
SNP
I am extremely passionate about women’s health, so I warmly welcome this debate and the opportunity to bring this important topic back to the chamber. We kn...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
The minister met me and endometriosis campaigners last April. She looked at a policy paper from the Scottish Conservatives regarding ways to improve access t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I will give you the time back, minister.
Jenni Minto
SNP
I thank Rachael Hamilton for her work, specifically in the Borders, on endometriosis diagnosis times. I recognise that diagnosis times for endometriosis are ...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
It is clear to say that, when it comes to specialist neonatal services, the consultants, all the clinicians and the women who are involved are opposed to the...
Jenni Minto
SNP
We have received advice from clinical experts in the field, and they, as well as the charity Bliss, which advocates for parents, all support the reduction in...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I invite Annie Wells to speak to and move amendment S6M-15382.1. 15:09
Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
I begin by thanking the many organisations that have provided briefings for the debate. Health is one of the biggest issues in the minds of people across our...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call Carol Mochan to speak to and move amendment S6M-15382.2. 15:17
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I am so pleased that Government time has been given to debating women’s health today. We will support the Government’s motion tonight. If we have learned an...
Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Does Carol Mochan agree that there needs to be a separate road map for women and that the women’s health plan needs to be sex specific?
Carol Mochan
Lab
Yes, of course. I return to my point about unhealthy life expectancy. Not only do our poorest neighbours die younger, they live life in a much poorer state ...
Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green)
Green
The women’s health plan that was launched in 2021 marked a significant commitment to addressing the distinct health needs of women across Scotland and aimed ...
Tess White
Con
I would like to ask you whether you—
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Through the chair, please, Ms White.
Tess White
Con
Sorry. Does the member agree that we benefited from working collaboratively in the work that we did as a committee on the buffer zones?
Gillian Mackay
Green
Absolutely. It very much helps us all if we work collaboratively in the sphere of women’s health. I hope that we will have a similar level of conversation in...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
It gives me pleasure to speak for the Liberal Democrats in what is a vital debate. I am grateful to Jenny Minto for securing Government time to bring the deb...
Tess White
Con
Alex Cole-Hamilton referenced the US in relation to abortion, but will he also applaud the fact that, even though Donald Trump is a controversial figure, he ...
Alex Cole-Hamilton
LD
I very much regret that Tess White wants to lower the tone of what has so far been a consensual debate. That problem stems from her, and I ask her to reflect...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I note that a member who was looking to participate in the debate has not been here throughout the opening speeches, for which I will need an explanation and...
Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
I was glad to hear, in the minister’s opening speech, about the progress that has been made on endometriosis and, in particular, on managing the pain that co...
Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
As the first women’s health plan comes to an end, I welcome the opportunity to take stock. I thank Jenni Minto and her team for the cross-party working that ...
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
Over the years, I have raised concerns about a range of women’s health issues, from endometriosis and pre-eclampsia to cardiovascular conditions and breast c...
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the Government for bringing forward this debate on such an important issue. Although I welcome the fact that some progress has been made on the women...
Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to contribute to what has been an informative and excellent debate. I will begin by following on from Pam Duncan-Glancy’s thoughtful contributio...
Audrey Nicoll (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)
SNP
Like my colleagues, I am pleased that we are taking time to debate the subject of women’s health. It is an issue that regularly appears in my constituency po...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
We now move to closing speeches. I call Gillian Mackay to close on behalf of the Scottish Greens. 16:21
Gillian Mackay
Green
This has been an interesting debate and I will reflect on some of the contributions. In her opening statement, the minister laid out how important it is to l...