Chamber
Plenary, 05 Oct 2000
05 Oct 2000 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
First Minister's Question Time
National Health Service
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
I am not going to be tempted—even by the charm of Jamie Stone—to discuss the immediate future of the maternity unit at Wick, although I am sure that it gives great satisfaction to those who use it.
We are satisfied that standards will generally rise if we invest wisely in the health service. As Mr Stone knows, the Arbuthnott committee—the findings of which are being implemented—as well as dealing with some of the problems of areas of high deprivation recognised openly, and in practical ways, the problems of delivering services in rural areas.
There is always a contest and tension between the advice that is received from the medical world about the best way in which to deliver quality services, and the loyalty that a community feels towards an individual hospital. Getting that balance right is not easy.
We are satisfied that standards will generally rise if we invest wisely in the health service. As Mr Stone knows, the Arbuthnott committee—the findings of which are being implemented—as well as dealing with some of the problems of areas of high deprivation recognised openly, and in practical ways, the problems of delivering services in rural areas.
There is always a contest and tension between the advice that is received from the medical world about the best way in which to deliver quality services, and the loyalty that a community feels towards an individual hospital. Getting that balance right is not easy.
In the same item of business
5. Ben Wallace (North-East Scotland) (Con):
Con
To ask the First Minister what specific plans the Scottish Executive has to avert any adverse consequences of winter pressures on the provision of NHS servic...
The First Minister (Donald Dewar):
Lab
As Ben Wallace knows, after the experiences of last winter a great deal of effort has gone into planning. The winter performance group established by the Sco...
Ben Wallace:
Con
Can the First Minister tell us why the Executive did not inform the flu vaccine industry of the need for an increase in the production of the vaccine until 2...
The First Minister:
Lab
I do not blame Ben Wallace for making that point, because there has been much speculation about it in the press. However, I am told that there will be 900,00...
Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD):
LD
Does the First Minister agree that the "adverse consequences of winter pressures"necessitate the local delivery of certain health services such as the consul...
The First Minister:
Lab
I am not going to be tempted—even by the charm of Jamie Stone—to discuss the immediate future of the maternity unit at Wick, although I am sure that it gives...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
That concludes First Minister's questions.
Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West):
*
On a point of order. Can the Presiding Officer advise us how the matter that arose in the First Minister's replies to John Swinney and Fergus Ewing can be pu...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
At the moment, the papers that were referred to have been requested but not required. Therefore, that is a hypothetical question. Discussions are continuing ...