Chamber
Plenary, 24 Oct 2007
24 Oct 2007 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Waiting Times
I thank the health secretary for her statement and for providing an advance copy. I have to say, though, that I was a bit surprised by the tone of her statement. I know that it is uncommon for Nicola Sturgeon to do so, but I thought that she might show a degree of humility, given that she faced a humiliating defeat in the chamber last month. [Interruption.] Presiding Officer, I had the courtesy to listen to Nicola Sturgeon. I would appreciate it if the Scottish National Party members had the courtesy to listen to my question.
Earlier, we heard the First Minister say that he will be guided by the majority view of the Parliament. It is most disappointing that the health secretary does not share that approach. In the past, the SNP placed great emphasis on the will of the Parliament and quoted that will when it suited it to do so. For it to disregard a motion that the Parliament passed a matter of a few weeks ago is at least a serious discourtesy and at most an undemocratic practice.
Whether the health secretary likes it or not, the Parliament took the view that she was to bring forward a comprehensive assessment identifying the additional administrative and bureaucratic burdens that the proposals—essentially, legally binding guarantees—will place on the NHS. Nicola Sturgeon thinks that her assertion on the matter is enough, but it is not.
I have a number of direct questions for the cabinet secretary. How can she assert that lawyers will not be introduced into Scotland's hospital wards? How can the SNP introduce a legal guarantee without recourse to law? How can there be recourse to law without the involvement of lawyers? What financial modelling, if any, have her officials done on the impact of introducing legally binding guarantees? Will she publish that financial modelling?
Further, Nicola Sturgeon quoted Norman Lamb and referred to other options that are available to clinicians in relation to waiting time guarantees. She quoted Norman Lamb specifically in saying that patients have the right to treatment elsewhere. Before the courts become involved, will health boards be allowed to sign new contracts with the private sector to enable them to meet existing and new commitments, or will the Government, as it said during the election campaign, stop health boards from signing new contracts with the private sector?
Earlier, we heard the First Minister say that he will be guided by the majority view of the Parliament. It is most disappointing that the health secretary does not share that approach. In the past, the SNP placed great emphasis on the will of the Parliament and quoted that will when it suited it to do so. For it to disregard a motion that the Parliament passed a matter of a few weeks ago is at least a serious discourtesy and at most an undemocratic practice.
Whether the health secretary likes it or not, the Parliament took the view that she was to bring forward a comprehensive assessment identifying the additional administrative and bureaucratic burdens that the proposals—essentially, legally binding guarantees—will place on the NHS. Nicola Sturgeon thinks that her assertion on the matter is enough, but it is not.
I have a number of direct questions for the cabinet secretary. How can she assert that lawyers will not be introduced into Scotland's hospital wards? How can the SNP introduce a legal guarantee without recourse to law? How can there be recourse to law without the involvement of lawyers? What financial modelling, if any, have her officials done on the impact of introducing legally binding guarantees? Will she publish that financial modelling?
Further, Nicola Sturgeon quoted Norman Lamb and referred to other options that are available to clinicians in relation to waiting time guarantees. She quoted Norman Lamb specifically in saying that patients have the right to treatment elsewhere. Before the courts become involved, will health boards be allowed to sign new contracts with the private sector to enable them to meet existing and new commitments, or will the Government, as it said during the election campaign, stop health boards from signing new contracts with the private sector?
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson):
NPA
The next item of business is a statement by Nicola Sturgeon on waiting times. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the end of her statement, which wi...
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing (Nicola Sturgeon):
SNP
I was asked to make a statement on the Government's approach to waiting times and I am delighted to do so. We are aiming clearly and firmly at driving waitin...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan):
SNP
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing will take questions on the issues raised in her statement. I intend to allow about 25 minutes for questions, a...
Margaret Curran (Glasgow Baillieston) (Lab):
Lab
I thank the health secretary for her statement and for providing an advance copy. I have to say, though, that I was a bit surprised by the tone of her statem...
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
I thank Margaret Curran for her questions. The last time that we debated the matter, the will of Parliament was for me to come back to the Parliament and mak...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I, too, thank the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing for her statement. I welcome the Scottish National Party's U-turn and its full commitment to the...
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
I thank Mary Scanlon for her question, and in answering it I apologise to Margaret Curran—I should have given to her the answer that I am about to give to Ma...
Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD):
LD
I also thank the cabinet secretary for an advance copy of her statement, and I welcome the continuing improvements in waiting times, which of course began un...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
Order. It was not my statement, Mr Finnie.
Ross Finnie:
LD
I am sorry—the statement of the cabinet secretary. I do apologise, Presiding Officer. You would never have made such a statement, because it included persona...
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
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Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP):
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Nicola Sturgeon:
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Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab):
Lab
I refer members to my declaration of interests, particularly my membership of the British Medical Association, the Royal College of General Practitioners and...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
Can we get to the question, please?
Dr Simpson:
Lab
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Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP):
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Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con):
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James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab):
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Nicola Sturgeon:
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Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD):
LD
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Nicola Sturgeon:
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Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP):
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Nicola Sturgeon:
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Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab):
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The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
Will you get to the question, Mrs Eadie?
Helen Eadie:
Lab
With respect, Presiding Officer, I have asked a question.