Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 11 February 2026 [Draft]
11 Feb 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
At the heart of this debate are patients and families, many of whom will be hurt, traumatised and angry. That is why it is so important that we get the tone of such debates right, that we air concerns without worsening their trauma and that we share stories without invading their privacy, because they have been through enough. To lose a loved one in a place where they were meant to be safe is unimaginable. To then be lied to about what happened to them is disgraceful, and we should make sure that it never happens again.
As I said in my opening speech, I welcome the establishment of the safety and public confidence oversight group. I am either less cynical or more hopeful than Jackson Carlaw. Although it cannot make up for the suffering that has been inflicted on the patients and families involved, I believe that it provides a crucial opportunity to restore trust and rebuild relationships.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-20731, in the name of Jackie Baillie, on the safety of the Queen Elizabeth university hospital.14:52
Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I begin by paying tribute to the late Jeane Freeman. My thoughts and those of all members of the Scottish Labour Party are with Jeane’s partner Susan and Jea...
Sandesh Gulhane (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
I declare an interest as a practising national health service general practitioner.This is a very serious matter. Children have died, and it is vital that we...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I can give you the time back, Mr Sarwar.
Anas Sarwar
Lab
It is really important that members of the board that had responsibility for appointments are told why information was withheld from that board by board exec...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I call Neil Gray to speak to and move amendment S6M-20731.1.15:00
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Neil Gray)
SNP
I begin by offering my heartfelt condolences to all the families who have been impacted by the issues that are being considered by the Scottish hospitals inq...
Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I can give the cabinet secretary the time back.
Brian Whittle
Con
Given all that, at the end of the day, when such tragedies occur, who will ultimately be held responsible and accountable as a result of the findings of inqu...
Neil Gray
SNP
The Government will be responsible for the implementation of the recommendations that fall under the responsibility of the Government that are made by the pu...
Sandesh Gulhane
Con
rose—
Neil Gray
SNP
I am sorry, but I am already toiling for time.More than 30,000water samples were taken and analysed in 2025, and similarly, monthly air quality testing is un...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
You need to conclude, cabinet secretary.
Neil Gray
SNP
—and a fully compliant water safety system this January.There is more detail that I will put on the record in my closing remarks on the debate.As I said at t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The limited time that we had available has now been exhausted. Therefore, members will now need to stick to their allocated speaking time.15:07
Sandesh Gulhane (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
I apologise to members for needing to leave promptly when the debate is due to finish at 4.I also associate myself with the remarks about Jeane Freeman that ...
Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green)
Green
I follow others in acknowledging the sudden passing of Jeane Freeman and offer our condolences to Susan, the wider family and SNP colleagues, who I know keen...
Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (LD)
LD
As others have done, I start by sharing the sadness of colleagues about the death of Jeane Freeman, and I send my condolences on behalf of the Liberal Democr...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
We move to the open debate.15:19
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Today, we are seeking clarity on the safety of the Queen Elizabeth university hospital. Public trust and confidence in our NHS should always be a top priorit...
Clare Haughey (Rutherglen) (SNP)
SNP
I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests, which shows that I hold a bank nurse contract with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.I begin ...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Clare Haughey
SNP
I do not have time.Not only would it be completely inappropriate for ministers to seek to do anything other than allow that process to continue—which, yet ag...
Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
It is with reluctance that we are, once again, having to raise the concerns about the safety of the Queen Elizabeth university hospital’s ventilation and wat...
Jackson Carlaw (Eastwood) (Con)
Con
It fell to me, on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives, to welcome Jeane Freeman to her ministerial responsibilities in this place in 2016—a happy duty at th...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, pay my respects and tribute to Jeane Freeman and offer my condolences to her partner.I am concerned that the attempt by the Labour Party to interfere...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
We move to the winding-up speeches.15:39
Gillian Mackay
Green
At the heart of this debate are patients and families, many of whom will be hurt, traumatised and angry. That is why it is so important that we get the tone ...
Neil Gray
SNP
To save some time in my closing speech, I confirm to Gillian Mackay, in response to her question in her opening speech, that patients and staff will be repre...