Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 29 January 2025
29 Jan 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Health and Social Care Workforce
Broken promises, missed targets, poor delivery and lack of ambition—that is the truth of the SNP NHS. Ask any constituent—they all have a story about the dedication of NHS staff and the dismal failure of the SNP Government.
The SNP Government has fallen short on so many national commitments that it is simply too hard to keep track of all its failures. Today, I, along with many other Scots, feel what can only be described as frustration over the Government’s inability to deliver many of its pledges and develop an NHS that is fit for our future and for our patients and staff.
The Government cannot argue with the facts. One in six Scots are on an NHS waiting list; more than 5 million bed days have been lost to delayed discharge in the past decade; and Scotland has the worst life expectancy rates across the UK, and one of the worst rates in western Europe—
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-16252, in the name of Jackie Baillie, on supporting Scotland’s health and social care workforce. I invite...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
Let me begin on a note of consensus. The staff of NHS Scotland and those who work in social care do an incredible job. They are the backbone of the national ...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
Will Jackie Baillie give way?
Jackie Baillie
Lab
I will do so briefly.
Alex Cole-Hamilton
LD
Does Jackie Baillie recognise that the problem in Lothian is particularly bad among GP locums?
Jackie Baillie
Lab
I do indeed. That is the situation that I was describing. Alex Cole-Hamilton and I are of one mind on this. The BMA says that there are more than 1,000 cons...
Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
SNP
Will Jackie Baillie give way?
Jackie Baillie
Lab
I will not. I genuinely worry about what John Swinney will do next. Instead of taking any responsibility, the SNP hides behind the staff and repels every...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call Neil Gray to speak to and move amendment S6M-16252.1. 15:08
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Neil Gray)
SNP
I welcome this debate, which is very timely in the light of the speech that was given by the First Minister on Monday on protecting and renewing our health a...
Clare Adamson
SNP
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Neil Gray
SNP
I will make some progress, first. More recently, the decision that has been made by Jackie Baillie’s colleagues in the UK Government to increase employer na...
Clare Adamson
SNP
I should have waited, as the cabinet secretary has almost answered my question. Does the cabinet secretary share my concern that the national insurance rise...
Neil Gray
SNP
Yes, I do, and I could list the names of those who signed the letter on that subject that was sent by the First Minister and the president of the Convention ...
Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
The cabinet secretary knows of my interest in technology. The pandemic demonstrated to us the impact that technology can have on healthcare and the speed at ...
Neil Gray
SNP
I do not believe that that is the case. Progress is being made through the likes of the accelerated national innovation adoption—ANIA—pathway and, on Monday,...
Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Neil Gray
SNP
I need to make some progress. We will never shy away from the challenges that are facing our NHS and social care services. We will act quickly to deliver mu...
Jackie Baillie
Lab
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Neil Gray
SNP
I will make some progress, then come back to Ms Baillie. We have planned for and driven workforce growth through investment in training our workforce of the...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call Sandesh Gulhane to speak to and move amendment S6M-16252.2. 15:18
Sandesh Gulhane (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, which states that I am a practising GP. Today, I speak not only as a politician but as so...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call Gillian Mackay, who joins us remotely, to speak for around six minutes. 15:25
Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green)
Green
I will start by apologising to the chamber. My Surface has had a moment with Zoom over the past five minutes, so I currently have my phone propped up while I...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
I am grateful to the Labour Party and Jackie Baillie for making time in the chamber for this important debate. As I am sure is the case for all members in th...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We move to the open debate. For the avoidance of confusion, I note that Labour Party members have opted for more, but shorter, speeches. 15:38
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Broken promises, missed targets, poor delivery and lack of ambition—that is the truth of the SNP NHS. Ask any constituent—they all have a story about the ded...
The Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport (Maree Todd)
SNP
I want to correct the record, as it is important that we have a healthy debate and discuss the actual facts. I recognise that people are waiting too long, bu...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Briefly.
Maree Todd
SNP
—and I ask the member to correct the record.