Chamber
Plenary, 24 Oct 2007
24 Oct 2007 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Waiting Times
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 make a statement on the Government's policy on waiting times. That is what I did today. I submit that that shows considerable respect for the Parliament, which is something that I have.
Margaret Curran accuses me of not showing enough humility. I will gloss over the irony of that, but I suggest to her that she is slightly confused. Following the debate last month, Margaret Curran and the Labour members voted against national waiting time guarantees. All her predecessors, to their credit, spent all their time in office trying to ensure that patients got speedy recourse to treatment. Before accusing me on issues of my party's policy, Margaret Curran should sort out her position on a matter that is of vital importance to patients.
If Margaret Curran had listened to my statement, she would have heard some of the answers to her specific questions. The point of legally binding waiting time guarantees is not to give patients recourse to the courts, although in exceptional cases, subject to our consultation, that may be an option. Many patients who are waiting for treatment now would already have recourse to the courts—to judicial review, for example. However, a patient who is waiting for treatment does not want to go to court; they want to be treated, and I have outlined today a series of proposals that are designed to ensure that patients are treated.
On the specific detail of the proposals, I have said a number of times that we will introduce a consultation. During that consultation, all members of the Parliament, all parties, all members of the public and all patients will have ample opportunity to make known their views and points. I can give an assurance that the Government will listen to them all.
Margaret Curran accuses me of not showing enough humility. I will gloss over the irony of that, but I suggest to her that she is slightly confused. Following the debate last month, Margaret Curran and the Labour members voted against national waiting time guarantees. All her predecessors, to their credit, spent all their time in office trying to ensure that patients got speedy recourse to treatment. Before accusing me on issues of my party's policy, Margaret Curran should sort out her position on a matter that is of vital importance to patients.
If Margaret Curran had listened to my statement, she would have heard some of the answers to her specific questions. The point of legally binding waiting time guarantees is not to give patients recourse to the courts, although in exceptional cases, subject to our consultation, that may be an option. Many patients who are waiting for treatment now would already have recourse to the courts—to judicial review, for example. However, a patient who is waiting for treatment does not want to go to court; they want to be treated, and I have outlined today a series of proposals that are designed to ensure that patients are treated.
On the specific detail of the proposals, I have said a number of times that we will introduce a consultation. During that consultation, all members of the Parliament, all parties, all members of the public and all patients will have ample opportunity to make known their views and points. I can give an assurance that the Government will listen to them all.
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
I thank Ross Finnie for his comments and questions. I am glad that he has welcomed the improvements in waiting times, but I gently point out to him that thos...
Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I thank the cabinet secretary for her statement and for clarifying that, in many cases, there is a role for the courts in disputes over health matters, altho...
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
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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
What has the minister done to ensure that patients will be informed? What consultation has she had with general practitioners to ensure that they are comfort...
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
I thought that Richard Simpson was in the chamber when I made my previous statement, but from what he has just asked me I am beginning to think that I was se...
Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
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Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
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Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con):
Con
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Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
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James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab):
Lab
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Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
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Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD):
LD
First, the cabinet secretary said that the new total waiting time guarantee of 18 weeks will not distort clinical priorities. Does she accept that requiring ...
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
We are consulting on the issue in "Better Health, Better Care". I hope that all members contribute to that consultation, because I am interested in hearing w...
Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
I am grateful that the cabinet secretary has confirmed that audiology services are to be included in the waiting time targets. However, I am aware that some ...
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
As Ian McKee indicated, yesterday Shona Robison announced that audiology services will be included in the waiting time guarantee. That important step forward...
Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab):
Lab
How will the cabinet secretary ensure that strategic government and local government take a joined-up approach? For example, in Fife Council, the Liberal Dem...
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.