Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 07 June 2016
07 Jun 2016 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Taking Scotland Forward: Health
It is a privilege to be back in the job that I relish, driving forward a healthier Scotland and ensuring that services are fit for the future.
The Government has a mandate to ensure that health and social care remains at the top of our agenda. That reflects our strong record of protecting our national health service from the impact of the United Kingdom Government’s austerity measures; continuing to protect people from prescription charges, which are, of course, a tax on illness; continuing to champion an NHS that is in public hands, with services that are free at the point of use; continuing to press for explicit protection for the NHS on the face of the transatlantic trade and investment partnership agreement; and continuing record levels of investment to ensure that our NHS remains world class and recognised for quality and patient safety. That reputation has been won by the thousands of dedicated staff who work in our health and social care sector. We pay tribute to their tireless effort whenever we debate health and social care, and I do so again today.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-00346, in the name of Shona Robison, on taking Scotland forward: delivering a healthier Scotland. 14:18
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport (Shona Robison)
SNP
It is a privilege to be back in the job that I relish, driving forward a healthier Scotland and ensuring that services are fit for the future. The Governmen...
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Is it only the NHS that the cabinet secretary is concerned about in relation to TTIP? Why will she not give unequivocal opposition to TTIP?
Shona Robison
SNP
We have made it very clear that we want explicit protection for the NHS in the TTIP agreement. We have been consistent about that and see it as the key prior...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call David Cameron to speak to and move amendment S5M-00346.4—Interruption. Sorry! How could I? I meant Donald Cameron.
Donald Cameron (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
At least the name was not Donald Trump. Laughter.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I do not think that I will respond to that, thank you. I will start all over again. I call Donald Cameron to speak to and move amendment S5M-00346.4. 14:33
Donald Cameron (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Thank you, Presiding Officer. I reiterate my congratulations to Shona Robison on her reappointment as health secretary, and I welcome the other members of he...
Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
My first job was in the NHS, so it is with great pride that I rise to speak in this debate as Labour’s shadow cabinet secretary for health. I congratulate Sh...
Shona Robison
SNP
We have targets on cancer—we have the 62-day and the 31-day targets—and we are making a £100 million investment in the cancer strategy. Would it not be bette...
Anas Sarwar
Lab
I am happy to engage with stakeholders. We have the 62-day waiting time guarantee, but it has not been met since the last quarter of 2013. We need to have ac...
The Minister for Mental Health (Maureen Watt)
SNP
Will the member give way on that point?
Anas Sarwar
Lab
I apologise, but I am running out of time. Labour’s amendment recognises the Government’s position on a number of areas but says that we need to do more. To...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame)
SNP
We move to the open debate, with speeches of up to six minutes. 14:52
Clare Haughey (Rutherglen) (SNP)
SNP
Members might be aware that this is the first national infant mental health week. As a mental health nurse who has worked with mothers and their infants for ...
Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
I declare an interest as a director of a company that is developing technology for the healthcare sector. I receive no remuneration for that position. It is...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I think you referred to me as a fellow athlete—to anyone who knows me, that is strange news indeed. I call Tom Arthur, to be followed by Monica Lennon. 15:05
Tom Arthur (Renfrewshire South) (SNP)
SNP
I congratulate the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport on her reappointment and also Maureen Watt and Aileen Campbell on their appointments. I welcome t...
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate on delivering a healthier Scotland. Although Scotland is, generally speaking, becoming healthier, dee...
The Minister for Public Health and Sport (Aileen Campbell)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Monica Lennon
Lab
I think that I am in my last minute.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
The member is in her last minute.
Monica Lennon
Lab
I am; sorry about that. To deliver a healthier Scotland, we must invest in our future and help our children and young people to achieve their potential. He...
Ash Denham (Edinburgh Eastern) (SNP)
SNP
When thinking of health, our thoughts naturally often turn to the NHS and to medical treatment. The rise in the Scottish Government’s health spending to a re...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I ask the member to wind up, please.
Ash Denham
SNP
Keeping our NHS in public hands and prioritising cancer treatment will help us work towards a future Scotland where fewer families suffer like mine did. Some...
Rachael Hamilton (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
Not to be outdone by my colleague, Brian Whittle, I also think that it seems appropriate in a debate about delivering a healthier Scotland to pay tribute to ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I ask the member to wind up, please.
Rachael Hamilton
Con
To conclude, Scotland faces significant challenges, and we must all work together to make Scotland healthier. I have stated the case here to focus on physica...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I remind members that, for every 30 seconds or minute that they go over their time, someone might be cut off their own speaking list. That is why we have to ...