Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid): SNP

I wish members an early good afternoon. The first item of business is a members' business debate on motion S1M-1122, in the name of Maureen Macmillan, on scr...

Motion debated,

That the Parliament supports the routine screening of middle aged men for early indications of prostate cancer, a disease which causes the second highest num...

Maureen Macmillan (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): Lab

One of our most important jobs as elected representatives is to highlight important issues that struggle to get attention. I am therefore very pleased to hav...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

Four members have asked to speak from the floor. That will be possible if they keep their remarks to three and a half minutes.

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): SNP

In a previous existence, I worked as a clinical biochemist in the national health service so I am aware of the difficulties that are associated with some of ...

Nick Johnston (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): Con

I thank Maureen Macmillan for raising this subject, and congratulate her on securing the debate, especially during this special week.Like many cancers, prost...

Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD): LD

I, too, commend Maureen Macmillan on securing this members' business debate. We have won the battle to raise awareness of breast cancer; we have the same bat...

Colin Campbell (West of Scotland) (SNP): SNP

I thank Maureen Macmillan for lodging the motion.We recognise that people sometimes fall through the social work and community care nets. In my experience, t...

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): SNP

I add my congratulations to Maureen Macmillan on securing the debate. She is an assiduous pursuer of members' business and has touched on many issues that im...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

I call Susan Deacon to respond to the debate on behalf of the Executive. Minister, you have quite a lot of time—about 14 minutes. You may speak until the Fir...

The Minister for Health and Community Care (Susan Deacon): Lab

I am grateful to Maureen Macmillan for raising prostate cancer as a matter for members' business. I am also grateful for the speeches of other members in the...

Mrs Margaret Ewing: SNP

I do not claim to be a technical expert on the subject, but the information that I have received states that, although a PSA screening result of level 4 is a...

Susan Deacon: Lab

The issue of PSA is important and I shall go on to say more about that in a moment. However, while Mrs Ewing was speaking, some of her colleagues were shakin...

Brian Adam: SNP

Will the minister take an intervention?

Dr Richard Simpson (Ochil) (Lab): Lab

Will the minister take an intervention?

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

We will take Brian Adam first.

Brian Adam: SNP

I appreciate the difficulties that are associated with the PSA test. Will the minister indicate how the Executive hopes to improve diagnostic capability for ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

Dr Simpson, did you want to intervene on the same point?

Dr Simpson: Lab

Yes.

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

We will take both points in that case.

Dr Simpson: Lab

I apologise to members for arriving late. I had another meeting. I congratulate the minister on her exposition of a very difficult subject.Will the minister ...

Susan Deacon: Lab

I am grateful to both members for their comments. I fear, however, that we have been lulled into a false sense of security about the time. Having been given ...