Hansard

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—