Meeting of the Parliament 10 June 2015
I have replied that it does not repeat what has been done elsewhere to state the need for parity between physical health and mental health. I am happy to forward the information to Mr Hepburn yet again. I thank him for standing up, but we need to go that one small step further.
It is important that we address the clarion call and state once and for all that mental ill health is no less serious than physical ill health.
Our hard-working staff—the doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, consultants, clinicians, ambulance drivers, GPs, carers and so many more—ensure that Scotland is on its way to thriving health. They and the patients are the fount of knowledge and expertise that we must now listen to, which should drive how we think about achieving the healthcare standards for which we strive.
On the current targets and measures of treatment effectiveness, the joint statement notes that the targets,
“while having initially delivered some ... improvements”
are
“now creating an unsustainable culture ... skewing priorities ... and”
unfortunately
“wasting resources”.
We hear GPs’ concerns about being overwhelmed with so much work that it affects the quality of their time with patients.
Nursing is so understaffed that private agencies are costing us millions. That money could be invested in the human capital that drives the NHS forward. Instead, the Government has been acting in a piecemeal and reactionary way, rather than implementing safeguards from the start. As has been mentioned previously, the Government must now also recognise the value of preventive healthcare. We expect a lot of changes with the integration of healthcare and social care. This is the opportunity to ensure that that major project is given all the right support with all details being addressed and the provision of relevant safeguards, if we are truly to achieve a future proofed NHS.
If we are to put our healthcare system on the right path we must have an honest debate and face the challenges. The Scottish Government must listen to people on the front line about their calls for this debate and for change. We need a new approach to targets, and new ways of delivering care. That is why we call on the Scottish Government to embrace the bold thinking of long-term solutions for the NHS. I look forward to being part of that debate in the future, not just here but with the people who deliver our health care. The BMA was right to point out research highlighting the frustration at
“the lack of opportunity to express ideas and feelings”
and
“to participate in decision making over issues that directly affected their working lives ... at the expense of effective and efficient patient care.”
It is so wrong that people should be driven to feel that way, which is why we need a longer-term strategy for an NHS that is fit for the future.
15:41