Meeting of the Parliament 11 February 2026 [Draft]
I begin by offering my heartfelt condolences to all the families who have been impacted by the issues that are being considered by the Scottish hospitals inquiry. Patients and families deserve answers, and I believe that, through Lord Brodie’s inquiry, that is what they will get.
Like Mr Sarwar, I am also reminded of the fact that our then Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Jeane Freeman, took the important steps to get to where we are today. It was Jeane who first took forward the concerns of families and whistleblowers, first instigating the independent review and, thereafter, the Scottish hospitals inquiry in 2019. It was also Jeane, in her time as cabinet secretary, who took the initial steps to ensure that a future body would be set up to assure the safety and risk management of NHS sites. Indeed, the body NHS Scotland Assure was established in 2021 for that very purpose—a fact that is mentioned in the Government’s amendment to the motion.
This is the first time that I have had the opportunity to place on record in the Parliament my sincere sadness that we lost Jeane Freeman at the weekend. Jeane was a force of nature in the best possible way. She was incredibly intelligent, loyal and generous with her time, support and kindness. She was a force for good, and encouraged us all to be better. I know that the Parliament will have the opportunity to properly remember Jeane, but I also know how much the subject of the debate propelled her to put into force the changes that have strengthened the safety of our hospitals. It is right that I take the opportunity to recognise her leadership, and my thoughts are very much with her beloved Susan, their families and friends, and all the many people who loved Jeane.
Jeane was driven in all that she did by a sense of justice and the need to fight for a fairer Scotland. She wanted to get to the truth for patients, whistleblowers and families as she recognised that they had been let down—that is what she said in September last year. Again, that is why I bring the debate back to the people who are at the heart of the inquiry. It was for them that the inquiry was established to interrogate decisions that were taken and the decision-making processes, to identify responsibility wherever it lies, and to shine a light where answers were lacking, so that they could get the justice that they deserve. I cannot begin to imagine the pain and hurt that is felt by all those who have lost a loved one but who have so bravely and candidly participated in the Scottish hospitals inquiry. It is absolutely vital that Lord Brodie, as chair of the inquiry, be given the necessary space and time to come to his own conclusions for families without political interference. I again reiterate that important point to colleagues. I also reiterate that the Government will not comment on the live police inquiry, nor seek to speculate on Lord Brodie’s conclusions, regardless of colleagues’ appetite for me to do so.
Turning to the substance of Labour’s motion, I echo its recognition of the safe and expert care that is carried out at the Queen Elizabeth university hospital. I place on record my heartfelt thanks to all staff, no matter their role, as they all contribute to the excellent service. I also recognise the fact that the new leadership of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has committed to rebuilding trust and public confidence. The new safety and public confidence oversight group that I announced last week will be vital in that respect, and I am delighted that the group will be co-chaired by Sir Lewis Ritchie. I met Sir Lewis yesterday and I am assured that he will provide robust and independent scrutiny of the issues. That is why I cannot support the Tories’ amendment to the motion, which seeks to ignore the fact that the group will have important independent and external oversight.
The group will, as highlighted in the Government’s amendment to the motion, also look at the wider issues of the built environment and validation that are of interest to Labour’s motion. It is right that I allow the group to undertake that work free from ministerial interference. Indeed, if I was seeking to direct the group’s findings, I am sure that some of the very same members who are speaking about accountability and transparency would have choice words for me.