Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 17 March 2011
17 Mar 2011 · S3 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scottish Executive Question Time
Hospital Consultants Pay Structure
Health and Wellbeing
Given that this will be the last health question time to which Ian McKee contributes, I thank him for his interest and the significant contribution that he has made to furthering health policy in this Parliament. [Applause.]
I want first to put on record the high value and appreciation that I have for the work of all consultants in Scotland, but it is a matter of public record that I believe that the time has come to review the system of distinction awards. There are many reasons for that—Ian McKee has cited some today.
I gave evidence to the DDRB earlier this week as part of its review, and I look forward to receiving its recommendations later this year. It is not fair to pre-empt those recommendations, but I look forward to our having in place a fair system that recognises that many different groups of staff in the health service do excellent work.
I want first to put on record the high value and appreciation that I have for the work of all consultants in Scotland, but it is a matter of public record that I believe that the time has come to review the system of distinction awards. There are many reasons for that—Ian McKee has cited some today.
I gave evidence to the DDRB earlier this week as part of its review, and I look forward to receiving its recommendations later this year. It is not fair to pre-empt those recommendations, but I look forward to our having in place a fair system that recognises that many different groups of staff in the health service do excellent work.
In the same item of business
Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP)
SNP
5. To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in reforming the pay structure of national health service hospital consultants. (S3O-13319)
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing (Nicola Sturgeon)
SNP
The new consultant contract was introduced in 2004. The pay structure contained within the contract has not been significantly reformed since that time. The ...
Ian McKee
SNP
I know that the cabinet secretary is aware of the general public disquiet at the principle and scale of distinction awards for NHS hospital consultants. Is s...
Nicola Sturgeon
SNP
Given that this will be the last health question time to which Ian McKee contributes, I thank him for his interest and the significant contribution that he h...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I echo the cabinet secretary’s remarks about Dr Ian McKee, as he approaches retirement.The cabinet secretary will know that distinction awards for consultant...
Nicola Sturgeon
SNP
First, I hear the views of members across the chamber about distinction awards and I point out for the record that I am, I think, the first health secretary ...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
It is not often that I agree with the cabinet secretary, but let me do so in relation to her comments on Dr Ian McKee, who has made a considerable contributi...
Nicola Sturgeon
SNP
Not for the first time, Jackie Baillie takes people’s breath away in expecting them to forget history. Apart from initiate a review in 2006 that tinkered at ...