Chamber
Plenary, 26 May 2005
26 May 2005 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
National Health Service<br />(Age Discrimination)
Coming a day after the publication of Professor David Kerr's report, this debate is opportune. After all, Professor Kerr's very first proposal is for
"All NHS Boards to put in place a systematic approach to caring for the most vulnerable (especially older people)"
and those
"with long term conditions with a view to managing their conditions at home or in the community and reducing the chance of hospitalisation"
in the first place.
The Liberal Democrats have already shown their commitment to improving services for older people. The Parliament's introduction of free personal and nursing care for older people implemented a long-standing Liberal Democrat policy; indeed, it is significant that the policy has not been implemented—and in fact has been opposed—by the Labour Government in England and Wales. That successful and popular measure is already benefiting many thousands of senior citizens throughout Scotland.
The care of our older people is rightly at the very top of the political agenda. As far as the Liberal Democrats are concerned, there can be no room for age discrimination in our NHS. If people require treatment, that treatment must be forthcoming. It cannot be right for individuals to be discriminated against because of their age instead of being assessed on their ability to benefit from treatment, and I was pleased to hear what the minister had to say in that respect.
Care for older people already accounts for 40 per cent of health budgets in Scotland, and that figure is set to increase as the population ages. Nevertheless, it is fundamentally and morally wrong for anyone to be prevented from receiving NHS treatment or to lack necessary care or attention because of their age. Such a situation would not be tolerated on grounds of race, colour or creed, and I believe that age should not be a factor in determining the most appropriate form of medical treatment.
I am pleased that NHS Lothian is taking the situation at the Edinburgh royal infirmary seriously and has ordered a full and independent review of the matters that were brought to light in a recent television documentary. The board has acknowledged that there have been failings in certain aspects of care and has made it clear that, as a result, it is reviewing its procedures. That is only right.
Although it is vital that such matters are fully investigated and that steps are taken to ensure that they are not repeated, we must emphasise that in NHS establishments throughout Scotland, health care professionals in all fields treat older people with dignity, compassion and respect. That is exactly as it should be.
As far as the SNP motion is concerned, we have already heard that NHS Lothian has set up an independent inquiry in response to the recent incidents. I also believe that the Executive should be given time to respond to the Kerr report's proposals on elderly care. I do not think that we will support the SNP's call for a public inquiry, because the timing of such a step is completely wrong. As the minister pointed out, it is the job of NHS QIS to ensure that high standards of care are implemented across Scotland.
I find it somewhat bizarre that the Conservative amendment asks Parliament to instruct the Health Committee on what it should or should not examine in its inquiries. Indeed, it is extraordinary that Nanette Milne, who is a member of the Health Committee, has framed her amendment in that way. Such a move is quite unusual and not very helpful.
As I said earlier, the Kerr report's first recommendation refers specifically to older people. I, for one, will do all that I can to ensure that that theme is addressed as the Executive decides how best to take forward the report's recommendations.
"All NHS Boards to put in place a systematic approach to caring for the most vulnerable (especially older people)"
and those
"with long term conditions with a view to managing their conditions at home or in the community and reducing the chance of hospitalisation"
in the first place.
The Liberal Democrats have already shown their commitment to improving services for older people. The Parliament's introduction of free personal and nursing care for older people implemented a long-standing Liberal Democrat policy; indeed, it is significant that the policy has not been implemented—and in fact has been opposed—by the Labour Government in England and Wales. That successful and popular measure is already benefiting many thousands of senior citizens throughout Scotland.
The care of our older people is rightly at the very top of the political agenda. As far as the Liberal Democrats are concerned, there can be no room for age discrimination in our NHS. If people require treatment, that treatment must be forthcoming. It cannot be right for individuals to be discriminated against because of their age instead of being assessed on their ability to benefit from treatment, and I was pleased to hear what the minister had to say in that respect.
Care for older people already accounts for 40 per cent of health budgets in Scotland, and that figure is set to increase as the population ages. Nevertheless, it is fundamentally and morally wrong for anyone to be prevented from receiving NHS treatment or to lack necessary care or attention because of their age. Such a situation would not be tolerated on grounds of race, colour or creed, and I believe that age should not be a factor in determining the most appropriate form of medical treatment.
I am pleased that NHS Lothian is taking the situation at the Edinburgh royal infirmary seriously and has ordered a full and independent review of the matters that were brought to light in a recent television documentary. The board has acknowledged that there have been failings in certain aspects of care and has made it clear that, as a result, it is reviewing its procedures. That is only right.
Although it is vital that such matters are fully investigated and that steps are taken to ensure that they are not repeated, we must emphasise that in NHS establishments throughout Scotland, health care professionals in all fields treat older people with dignity, compassion and respect. That is exactly as it should be.
As far as the SNP motion is concerned, we have already heard that NHS Lothian has set up an independent inquiry in response to the recent incidents. I also believe that the Executive should be given time to respond to the Kerr report's proposals on elderly care. I do not think that we will support the SNP's call for a public inquiry, because the timing of such a step is completely wrong. As the minister pointed out, it is the job of NHS QIS to ensure that high standards of care are implemented across Scotland.
I find it somewhat bizarre that the Conservative amendment asks Parliament to instruct the Health Committee on what it should or should not examine in its inquiries. Indeed, it is extraordinary that Nanette Milne, who is a member of the Health Committee, has framed her amendment in that way. Such a move is quite unusual and not very helpful.
As I said earlier, the Kerr report's first recommendation refers specifically to older people. I, for one, will do all that I can to ensure that that theme is addressed as the Executive decides how best to take forward the report's recommendations.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Murray Tosh):
Con
We move, rather behind the clock, to the next item of business, which is a debate on motion S2M-2861, in the name of Shona Robison, on age discrimination in ...
Shona Robison (Dundee East) (SNP):
SNP
I thank the many families throughout Scotland that have written to me about the experience of their elderly relatives. It is because of their concerns that t...
The Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care (Rhona Brankin):
Lab
I welcome today's debate on the standards of care for older people in the NHS. We have published standards that are both high and equitable and we all expect...
Shona Robison:
SNP
I accept, as I am sure the minister does, that there are lots of documents that say what should be done. However, does she agree that the problem is that wha...
Rhona Brankin:
Lab
Clearly, there is no point in having standards if we do not ensure that those standards are met. That is the challenge that we face. NHS QIS was established ...
Mrs Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
Today's debate comes at an appropriate time in the wake of yesterday's publication of the Kerr report, which indicates a way forward for the NHS for the next...
Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD):
LD
Coming a day after the publication of Professor David Kerr's report, this debate is opportune. After all, Professor Kerr's very first proposal is for"All NHS...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
We now come to the open debate. Time is very tight indeed and I ask members to make speeches of strictly four minutes.
Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
It is a sad day when, despite the hard work of many decent and caring staff in the service, we have to debate the indignity and lack of care that some older ...
Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP):
SSP
It is absolutely right that we should have a debate about age discrimination in the NHS. It is well known that the NHS is plagued with inequalities and has b...
Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab):
Lab
The provision of a high standard of health care is important to everyone in Scotland but particularly to our older people. The starting point for this debate...
Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Richard Baker:
Lab
I am sorry, but I have only four minutes.Older people are the most frequent users of NHS services. Day in and day out, hundreds of thousands of older people ...
John Swinburne (Central Scotland) (SSCUP):
SSCUP
I welcome the debate on Shona Robison's motion. Sadly, it reflects the lack of basic respect for the elderly that exists in our society and which manifests i...
Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP):
SNP
When we see discrimination against older citizens in the NHS, we often see a reflection of broader, societal discrimination against older people. I make no p...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab):
Lab
In 25 years' time, there will be more people of retirement age in Scotland than there will be children. The biggest growth will be in the number of people wh...
Eleanor Scott (Highlands and Islands) (Green):
Green
Two separate and yet connected issues have been referred to in the debate: age discrimination and neglect of the elderly. As various members have pointed out...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
We move to winding-up speeches. I call Donald Gorrie and advise him that he has a tight four minutes.
Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD):
LD
I apologise for missing the first part of the debate. The pressure on members in trying to get agreement on amendments to legislation is unrelenting. There a...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
You must finish now, Mr Gorrie.
Donald Gorrie:
LD
That would help to reduce the problem and change people's attitude. They would see how much older people can contribute.
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
It is sad indeed that we are discussing problems relating to the elderly, given the number of debates that we have held in the Parliament and the amount of l...
Rhona Brankin:
Lab
We have all listened carefully to the debate. The issue is emotive and hugely important and, as I said in my opening speech, there is absolutely no room for ...
Mary Scanlon:
Con
Will the minister give way?
Rhona Brankin:
Lab
I am sorry, but I do not have time.Let me respond to some specific points that were raised in the debate. Shona Robison referred to "Frontline Scotland" and ...
Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
First, I make it clear that Ms Robison has given her excuses to the Presiding Officer for not being here for the conclusion of the debate.I preface my main r...
Stewart Stevenson:
SNP
Surely not.
Christine Grahame:
SNP
They are as quirky as Andy Kerr and they are as different as Stewart Stevenson. By the way, he has now delivered his 200th speech. I do not know whether to w...