Hansard

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 Muhammad Ali. He was a man who understood the power of sport and how it can change a nation. He enriched not only America but the world. He said:

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given, than to explore the power they have to change it.”

Each and every one of us, including our family and friends, has at some point in our lives used the NHS’s fantastic services. Parliament should recognise the tremendous work done by those working in the health sector. More important, this Parliament should ensure that the resources needed for first-class health system are delivered.

Scotland faces huge challenges: an ageing population with multiple long-term health problems, a growing diabetes problem and a general practice that simply cannot meet demand. Rightly, the motion calls for cross-party support in Parliament to meet the challenges ahead. However, we have an SNP Government that wants to work together but then attempts to shift the blame to the UK Government. It is time for this Government to stop treating the NHS like a political football.

I was pleased to hear Shona Robison use the words “preventing illness”, “prevention” and “preventative” in her opening statement. In encouraging a healthy lifestyle, it is important to establish good habits that start early and last right throughout childhood and adulthood. We all know the factors of a healthy lifestyle: regular exercise and healthy eating. However, in Scotland, two out of every three adults are overweight or obese, 31 per cent of children are at risk of being overweight, and obesity levels of 40 per cent are predicted by 2030. Those are the highest rates in the UK and among the highest in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

A Scottish Parliament information centre report last year estimated that the cost of obesity was £4.6 billion a year to Scotland—resource that could be directed to hospitals, nurses and general practice. If we work hard to get Scotland active now, we will see a return on that vital investment.

In 2014, the Scottish Government reported that physical inactivity contributes to nearly 2,500 deaths and costs the NHS £91 million per year. In order to combat inactivity, we must encourage participation in sports and recreational activities in and out of schools.

I currently help to coach Earlston high school netball team, in the Borders, and I see at first hand the benefits that sport—particularly netball—can bring. Indeed, its qualities have been recognised and an initiative set up by Netball Scotland, called bounce back to netball and aimed at ages 18 and over, was recently launched. A further goal—excuse the pun—is to offer netball in more secondary schools throughout Scotland by educating our educators.

We must replicate the example set by Netball Scotland and help tackle health inequalities. Let us take that positive illustration and be constructive, not blaming the UK Government for an obstacle that we have the power to overcome. The Scottish Government has new powers, and it is time to be accountable, get to work and offer solutions to Scotland’s health problems.

In fact, it is with the help of the UK Government’s commitments to the NHS that the Scottish Conservatives were able to pledge a health guarantee in the 2016 manifesto. As Donald Cameron said, we want to see the health budget rise annually by whatever is highest out of inflation, 2 per cent, or Barnett consequentials. Under current projections, that would mean an additional £1.5 billion for our health service by the end of this session of Parliament, with the budget reaching £14.5 billion by 2021-22.

To make best use of an increased NHS budget, the Scottish Government must show leadership. That is echoed in an Audit Scotland report that states:

“The Scottish Government needs to provide stronger leadership and a clear plan for implementing the 2020 Vision”

which is to enable

“everyone to live longer healthier lives at home.”

The 2020 vision has cross-party consensus, but it will be the Scottish Government’s ability to apply the vision that underpins its success.

It is the UK Government that has the ambition to be among the best in Europe at reducing levels of premature mortality. Premature mortality is something that Scotland is blighted by. It is affected by numerous factors that are the responsibility of the Government or the NHS, including diet, climate, personal circumstance and lifestyle choice. The Scottish Government must take more responsibility and accountability. By encouraging physical activity, we can reduce the chance of type 2 diabetes—which is a growing problem in Scotland—by 40 per cent, cardiovascular disease by 35 per cent, and breast and colon cancers by 20 per cent, and we can also improve mental health.

It is clear that promoting and encouraging an active lifestyle can do so much good. We should prioritise doing that as much as we prioritise warning of the dangers of smoking and drinking.

With reference to the motion, I also expect TTIP to bring much good, delivering £10 billion to the UK economy each year. I commend the UK Government for achieving it and I recognise that there is no way in which TTIP will affect how the NHS decides who will provide the best service.