Committee
Public Petitions Committee 12 January 2016
12 Jan 2016 · S4 · Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
New Petitions
Group B Streptococcus (Information and Testing) (PE1592)
It is clear from the briefing that the committee and Parliament have a long track record of raising the issue with the Government, but the collective tone of the responses seems to be underpinned by a lack of urgency in finding a way forward. We should write to the Scottish Government with some specific commentary, not just asking for a reaction to the petition. I am interested in two points that the petitioner has made. First, I would like to know how the “Ready Steady Baby!” booklet is made available. Saying that there is a booklet suggests that some publication is handed out along with advice, but that is clearly not the case. If it exists online, who is responsible for directing potential parents’ attention to it? Is there any knowledge or evidence of how many people access that publication or any follow-up to establish whether that has taken place? Secondly, although it is difficult to incorporate the powerful testimony of our witnesses, I would like to see that done because, while there was a tremendous personal loss in the death of their son, Zach, there was also a financial cost, which has been detailed. It is very easy to set that to one side when someone says that it would probably cost £500,000 to test at all deliveries. We are at the end of the parliamentary session, so it is difficult for us to schedule meetings with ministers to take evidence. Instead, we should write a direct letter that says that it is clear that this has gone on for some time and we have not really advanced matters. To keep being told that there is a review and that things “might” or “could” happen seems to me to fall short, given that, with a bit of will behind the effort, we could do something to resolve the problem.
In the same item of business
The Convener
Lab
Our next item of business is consideration of three new petitions. We will take evidence on two of them from the petitioners. The first new petition is PE15...
Shaheen McQuade
My son Zach is the reason why I am here today. I am here to explain my reasons for setting up a petition to raise awareness of and get better testing for gro...
The Convener
Lab
It is okay. Just take your time.
Shaheen McQuade
I have since discovered that group B strep can be identified by carrying out a simple swab test, which, I understand, costs £11. Had I been tested after my w...
The Convener
Lab
I thank you very much for giving evidence, Shaheen. That was very courageous of you. On behalf of the committee, I extend our sincerest condolences for the l...
Shaheen McQuade
I think that that is neglect. The NHS took a gamble with my son’s life and it lost. I showed the symptoms of group B strep. At the time, I did not know what ...
The Convener
Lab
From the investigations that you have done since the tragedy, do you think that the staff who were there—who I am sure did a very good job; I have never hear...
Shaheen McQuade
The NHS works on a risk-based strategy. When a woman is showing those symptoms, she should be tested. I think that I should have been tested. I have been try...
The Convener
Lab
Okay. I open up the discussion to other members of the committee who have questions.
Hanzala Malik (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Thank you for your evidence. The suffering that you and your family have gone through has touched my heart. I just want to make sure that I have picked up co...
Shaheen McQuade
Yes. I do not want any other parents and families to suffer what we have had to go through.
Hanzala Malik
Lab
I do not know what the NHS’s position would be on the matter aside from the fact that there is a financial implication, although I tend to agree that it woul...
The Convener
Lab
I am not the greatest mathematician in the world, but it does not take a genius to work out the overall cost. As the cost of the test is £11 per birth and th...
Shaheen McQuade
Definitely. If you calculate how £11 compares with the cost of Zach’s care when he was taken to hospital, which covered ambulances, the trip from Wishaw gene...
Angus MacDonald (Falkirk East) (SNP)
SNP
I note from our briefing that several parliamentary questions were asked on 19 November last year by Jim Hume MSP. He received a response from the Scottish G...
Shaheen McQuade
No. After Zach passed away, I got in touch with the group B strep support group, and they advised me that Jackie Watt had brought a petition to the Parliamen...
Angus MacDonald
SNP
It was never referred to.
Shaheen McQuade
No.
Angus MacDonald
SNP
Which health board covers your area?
The Convener
Lab
It is NHS Lanarkshire.
Hanzala Malik
Lab
I know that we are talking about figures and costs, but I do not think that those are relevant or what the committee should be worrying about. If we carried ...
The Convener
Lab
I am looking for suggestions as to how we should take the petition forward.
Jackson Carlaw
Con
It is clear from the briefing that the committee and Parliament have a long track record of raising the issue with the Government, but the collective tone of...
The Convener
Lab
That is my feeling. Shaheen McQuade is my constituent, and I have met her to talk about the circumstances. She is well versed in the arguments around the iss...
Angus MacDonald
SNP
Convener, you say that the test is working in other countries. Given that the petition will remain live, can we ask the Scottish Parliament information centr...
The Convener
Lab
We can do that to back up the petition. Again, I thank Shaheen and Craig for coming along. You have suffered a terrible loss, and it is courageous of you to...
Shaheen McQuade
Thank you.
Craig Blackie
Thank you.
The Convener
Lab
I suspend the meeting while the next petitioners come to the table. 10:20 Meeting suspended. 10:22 On resuming—