Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 08 September 2020
I was about to move on to that. Through the involvement of the Health and Social Care Alliance, which was actively involved in canvassing women’s views and which continues to do that work, women were involved in the initial design and will continue to be involved throughout.
The specialist service follows directly on from a recommendation by the short-life working group on mesh complications, which has representation from the Health and Social Care Alliance, which, as I have just said, has been actively involved in canvassing women’s views. The short-life working group has ensured, and will continue to ensure, that women’s views are central to the creation of the service in Glasgow.
There will be a phased introduction this year, offering assessment and treating patients with complex needs on a clear patient pathway. The service is at an advanced stage of development and it is important that all those affected have access to high-quality services now. It is a service that women themselves have asked for. They have been involved, through the alliance, and will continue to be involved, in its design, which is now at an advanced stage. Knowing that, I therefore cannot accept Neil Findlay’s amendment to the motion, which asks us to stop that work.
A close working relationship is being developed with equivalent specialist centres in England.