Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 20 September 2023
20 Sep 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Neonatal Services (Lanarkshire)
In the 75 years of the national health service, we have never stood still and we have adapted our service to meet the needs of the population. I have had the pleasure of meeting a number of parents, families and maternity staff, who all have the same aspirations: they all want the best for the babies in their care, and we must act accordingly to support that.
The approach set out in “The Best Start—A Five-year Forward Plan for Maternity and Neonatal Care in Scotland” outlined that Scotland should move from the current model of eight neonatal intensive care units to a model of three units supported by the continuation of current NICUs, which would be redesignated as local neonatal units.
The evidence is clear that the chances of survival are better for highest-risk babies when they are cared for in units by clinicians who see more of those babies and have access to specialist support services. Babies born at highest risk are defined as those who are born at less than 27 weeks’ gestation, who weigh less than 800g or who need multiple complex intensive care interventions or surgery.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-10497, in the name of Jackie Baillie, on protecting specialist neonatal services in Lanarkshire. 15:58
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
According to the Scottish Government, 23 babies required the use of the neonatal unit at University hospital Wishaw last year—that is 23 babies who were born...
The Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health (Jenni Minto)
SNP
In the 75 years of the national health service, we have never stood still and we have adapted our service to meet the needs of the population. I have had the...
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the minister take an intervention?
Jenni Minto
SNP
I have a lot to get through, if the member does not mind. The process of determining which units should be providing neonatal intensive care followed an opt...
Graham Simpson
Con
Will the minister take an intervention now?
Jenni Minto
SNP
I am not going to take any interventions. Like Jackie Baillie, I welcome the opportunity to congratulate Wishaw General’s neonatal multidisciplinary team on...
Jackie Baillie
Lab
Will the minister give way?
Jenni Minto
SNP
I am just coming to the close of my speech. In closing, I would like to give my personal commitment, and that of this Government, to continuing to listen, l...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Unusually for such a brief debate, we have a little bit of time in hand, so members who take an intervention should get the time back. However, the intervent...
Sandesh Gulhane (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
What a cold, managerial speech with no empathy for families that was from the minister. I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ in...
Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Sandesh Gulhane
Con
I am just about to finish. The SNP is clearly heavy handed and disregards the nuanced needs of families, which causes distress and discontent. There is a lac...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We move to the open debate. 16:15
Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
My daughter Rosa was born on 1 April 2017 at University hospital Wishaw. She was born at 27 weeks gestation, weighing 535g or just one pound and three ounces...
Keith Brown (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP)
SNP
First, I pay my respects to Mark Griffin’s description of his experience. I also acknowledge that he is the first speaker in the debate who lives in and is a...
Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Con)
Con
Will the member give way?
Keith Brown
SNP
My apologies, but I have only four minutes. I do not know why these debates are so short, but I do not have much time to speak. The units for babies born w...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Thank you very much, Mr Brown. It is, of course, up to the members whether they take an intervention. These debates usually seem to allow very little time to...
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
The Scottish Government’s amendment rightly congratulates the team at Wishaw university hospital on being named UK neonatal team of the year 2023. It is a wo...
Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
I welcome the opportunity to debate maternity services not once but twice today. That shows how important the issue is right across Scotland. I hope that the...
Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP)
SNP
Presiding Officer, you might reasonably ask why a member from the islands is talking about neonatal care in Lanarkshire. However, as members from other parts...
Monica Lennon
Lab
Will the member give way?
Alasdair Allan
SNP
I must make progress given the little time that I have. The Scottish Government has taken many significant steps to support expectant and new parents. Tho...
Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green)
Green
I begin by expressing my sincere thanks to all those who work in neonatal units across the country and who care for some of the sickest babies born in Scotla...
Meghan Gallacher
Con
Does the member agree that the forum should have happened before the decision was taken and that the fact that that did not happen and that they have not bee...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Gillian Mackay, I can give you the time back.
Gillian Mackay
Green
I agree that it is vital to share all information that can be shared ahead of decisions being made to ensure that we bring communities along with us with the...
Jackie Baillie
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Gillian Mackay
Green
I need to make some progress. I am genuinely sorry. The report was produced in conjunction with clinicians, and it is worth stating that the recommendation...