Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 11 December 2025
11 Dec 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
First Minister’s Question Time
NHS Waiting Lists (Automatic Removal)
A constituent of mine who is on a national health service waiting list recently received correspondence from NHS Lothian informing them that, if they did not confirm within 21 days whether they wanted to remain on the list, they would automatically be taken off it. Although I understand that that policy is in line with Government guidance, I am concerned that it might result in a vulnerable patient, such as one who is elderly or who has special educational needs, missing out on essential treatment without their consent. Will the First Minister agree to instruct ministers and officials to review the policy to ensure that vulnerable patients are not struck off waiting lists unfairly?
In the same item of business
Foysol Choudhury (Lothian) (Ind)
Ind
A constituent of mine who is on a national health service waiting list recently received correspondence from NHS Lothian informing them that, if they did not...
The First Minister (John Swinney)
SNP
Any individual who requires healthcare treatment should get that healthcare treatment. That is the simple premise behind the national health service, and it ...