Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-17186, in the name of Meghan Gallacher, on the best start new model of neonatal care. ...

Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

Before I begin my remarks, I take the opportunity to thank the team at Bliss Scotland for working with me to lodge the motion in Parliament. I first raised ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

We move to the open debate. I call Clare Adamson, who joins us remotely. 18:02

Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) SNP

The birth of a new baby is one of the most exciting times in a family. There is nothing more precious than the birth of a baby, and for parents and families,...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Ms Adamson, I must ask you to bring your remarks to a close, please, because you are quite a wee bit over your time. Thank you.

Clare Adamson SNP

Oh—my apologies, Deputy Presiding Officer. I thank the people who work in the Wishaw neonatal unit, and I look forward to hearing the minister’s response to ...

Roz McCall (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

I am happy to speak on this important topic, and I congratulate my colleague, Meghan Gallacher, on bringing the debate to the chamber. What could be more im...

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Lab

I thank Meghan Gallacher for bringing the debate to chamber and I commend her for her speech. The Labour amendment is intended not to take anything away from...

Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

I, too, thank my colleague, Meghan Gallacher, for securing parliamentary time to debate such an important topic. The centralisation of neonatal intensive ca...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call the minister, Jenni Minto, to respond to the debate. 18:22

The Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health (Jenni Minto) SNP

I thank those members who have taken part in the debate. Like other members, I thank Meghan Gallacher for bringing the debate to the chamber, and I note that...

Jackie Baillie Lab

Will the minister give way?

Jenni Minto SNP

I will just come to the end of this section. It is important to stress that local neonatal units will continue to provide care to babies who need it, includ...

Jackie Baillie Lab

The “Best Start” report recommendation was actually for “Three to five ... units”. Why did you not include Wishaw neonatal unit? You could easily have done t...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Always through the chair.

Jenni Minto SNP

I thank Jackie Baillie for her intervention; I know that she has had conversations with the cabinet secretary in that regard, and he has made it clear that t...

Meghan Gallacher Con

I understand what the minister is saying. We are talking about how the implementation is going to be carried out—a lot of boards are involved, and various di...

Jenni Minto SNP

I thank Meghan Gallacher for her intervention. As I said earlier, my office door is very much open. I would be very happy to have a conversation with you on ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Minister, we all need to speak through the chair; that has applied to a number of speakers already. Otherwise, you are referring to me, and I do not think th...

Jenni Minto SNP

My apologies, Deputy Presiding Officer—and I would never refer to you as “you”. I would be very happy to meet Ms Gallacher, and I will come to the point abo...

Tess White Con

Will the minister take an intervention?

Jenni Minto SNP

I have taken two interventions already, so I would just like to continue. I thank all neonatal units, which are committed to the Bliss baby charter, and I t...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

That concludes the debate. Meeting closed at 18:32.