Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 01 December 2021
01 Dec 2021 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (Patient Safety)
I offer my condolences to all families who have lost a loved one while in the care of the health service. Like everyone, I recognise the work of front-line NHS staff at the Queen Elizabeth university hospital and staff who have been working across the health service during the pandemic and before it.
I will focus on two key fundamentals in the debate. The first is that the staff of our health service deserve the assurance that, if they have concerns about the care of patients, they will be listened to and supported. It is important to mention the letter that 23 clinicians wrote to the First Minister, which says:
“We have been, and remain, fully committed to being completely open and transparent in all that we do and we are dismayed that the integrity of our staff has been repeatedly called into question. ... Do we ever wilfully withhold information from them? Absolutely not.”
More importantly, the families of people who have been treated at the Queen Elizabeth university hospital campus deserve to have answers to their questions and as safe an environment as possible for the care of their children.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
I remind members of the Covid-related measures that are in place, and that face coverings should be worn when moving around the chamber and across the Holyro...
Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
This morning, I met Kimberly Darroch, whose daughter Milly died four years ago, and Louise Slorance, whose husband died last year. They, like a number of fam...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call the minister, Maree Todd, to speak to and move amendment S6M-02327.2. Interruption.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Humza Yousaf)
SNP
I will sum up. Do not worry—I will respond to questions. I will take interventions, too.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Excuse me—could we have less chatting from a sedentary position across the chamber? I have called the minister, who is on her feet to speak, so that is a hug...
The Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport (Maree Todd)
SNP
My thoughts and condolences are with all families who have lost a loved one while they were in the health service’s care. Various claims have been levelled ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
The minister is in her last minute.
Maree Todd
SNP
Immense progress has been made in Scotland since the world-leading Scottish patient safety programme was launched in 2008. Since then, the programme has infl...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Minister, you are approaching the end of your time.
Maree Todd
SNP
Although the focus rightly and reasonably relates to the performance of the board against important recommendations and lessons that continue to be learned, ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Excuse me, minister, please resume your seat. Members will recall that, when I called the minister to speak, there was sedentary chattering going on and I h...
Maree Todd
SNP
Our NHS staff are working incredibly hard and we will continue to do all we can to support them to provide the best care possible for the people of Scotland....
Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
My thoughts and condolences are with all the families who have been affected by this scandal. I thank front-line staff at the hospital; our criticisms are no...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Mr Ross, could you conclude, please?
Douglas Ross
Con
In today’s debate, we cannot give families those answers, but we can commit to finding them and to holding those responsible to account. I move amendment S6...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
I rise for the Liberal Democrats to offer our support for the motion in the name of Anas Sarwar. I echo the condolences that have been offered to everyone wh...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We move to the open debate. 15:08
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
At the heart of this issue are patients and their families who have suffered a serious injustice the like of which few of us can even fathom. On top of that,...
Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP)
SNP
I offer my condolences to all families who have lost a loved one while in the care of the health service. Like everyone, I recognise the work of front-line N...
Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the member give way?
Paul McLennan
SNP
I am short of time. I know that Mr Hoy is up next, but I have only four minutes and I am aware of the short time for the debate. The Scottish Government has...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
Will Paul McLennan give way?
Paul McLennan
SNP
I am sorry, but I have only one minute left. The inquiry’s terms of reference are comprehensive and include considering the physical, emotional and other ef...
Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
The issues that we are debating could not be more serious. They are matters of life and death within our NHS—an institution in which people should feel safe ...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Craig Hoy
Con
No, I will press on—I am in my final minute. For the families of those who have died, for the relatives of Andrew Slorance, for Milly Main, for Gail Armstro...
Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, offer my condolences to the families and loved ones who have lost children and relatives at the Royal hospital for children and young people and the ...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
Will the member give way?
Bob Doris
SNP
I am sorry, but I do not have time—this is a very short debate. Robust independent expert review of the most serious concerns is required. Clear recommendat...
Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green)
Green
My thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by infection outbreaks at the Queen Elizabeth university hospital and with anyone who has lost a loved on...