Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 03 April 2019
03 Apr 2019 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
NHS and Social Care Staff (Workplace Support)
I thank Miles Briggs for bringing the debate to the chamber. Credit where credit is due, as I am sure all members will agree. Credit is also due to the SNP Government, which is committed to supporting our highly skilled health and social care workforce. We want to deliver a resilient, efficient and high-quality healthcare service, and, from what I see as I go about the various areas in my constituency, the Scottish healthcare system is recognised as being among the best in the world.
We talk about staff morale, and I make this point to Miles Briggs, in particular. Do you not think that the fact that you constantly say that there is a crisis in the health service has something to do with the morale of the people who work in the health service? I have been speaking to those people for a while, and they feel that, by using the word “crisis” as you do, you are using the health service as a political football. I will leave that there.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-16702, in the name of Miles Briggs, on looking after those who look after us. I ask members who wish to s...
Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I open today’s debate by paying tribute to all those who work in our Scottish national health service and social care services. Every MSP, no matter what par...
Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Miles Briggs
Con
Yes, if it is brief.
Sandra White
SNP
Miles Briggs has quoted the BMA at length. BMA Scotland’s GPs have spoken of the potentially devastating effect that Brexit will have, not only on our health...
Miles Briggs
Con
I have been absolutely clear about the impact of and potential challenges from Brexit, but the workforce challenges that we face across our NHS did not start...
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport (Jeane Freeman)
SNP
I thank Miles Briggs for bringing his motion to Parliament today. I am immensely proud of our health and social care staff. The quality of care and treatmen...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the cabinet secretary, who helpfully met me recently to discuss payment of the living wage to overnight care workers. Despite local authorities havin...
Jeane Freeman
SNP
I am grateful to Ms Baillie for raising that point. She has long championed the issue, as I have done. The intention to support 24-hour care wherever it is n...
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
“Looking after those who look after us” is the title of today’s debate and I hope that it reminds us all that we should never take our health and social care...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame)
SNP
I call Alison Johnstone. Four minutes, please, Ms Johnstone. 15:01
Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green)
Green
I, too, thank all of those who look after all of us. It is clear that workforce pressures are severely impacting the wellbeing of health and social care wor...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
No, please—you must conclude. I was making the signal. I call Alex Cole-Hamilton. It has to be four minutes, Mr Cole-Hamilton. 15:05
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
I echo the thanks that other members have expressed to the Conservatives for securing time for this debate and to the workforce that looks after us. On two ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Thank you. I am sorry—time is tight in these short debates. 15:10
Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
I am delighted to speak in the debate. I refer members to my register of interests: I have a close family member who is an NHS healthcare professional. As t...
Jeane Freeman
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Brian Whittle
Con
I am at the end of my speech.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
The member has six seconds left.
Brian Whittle
Con
This is a serious health debate that is long overdue in the Parliament, but has been systematically avoided in Government debating time. Our NHS staff are th...
Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to speak in the debate to highlight the work that both the Scottish Government and health boards across Scotland are carrying out to ensure appr...
Brian Whittle
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Emma Harper
SNP
I will not, because we do not have a lot of time. We cannot fix the health staffing issues immediately, but measures are being implemented by the Scottish G...
Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Last year, we rightly celebrated 70 years of the NHS. This year, we need to look forward as well and consider what kind of health service we want and expect ...
Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Miles Briggs for bringing the debate to the chamber. Credit where credit is due, as I am sure all members will agree. Credit is also due to the SNP G...
Brian Whittle
Con
Will Sandra White give way?
Sandra White
SNP
No. I am sorry, but I do not have time. If Conservative members spoke to healthcare professionals and listened to organisations such as the BMA, they would ...
Miles Briggs
Con
Will Sandra White give way?
Sandra White
SNP
I am sorry, but I do not have time. Miles Briggs mentioned staffing, but we are looking at staffing in the NHS. As the cabinet secretary said, staffing is a...
Monica Lennon
Lab
Will the member give way?