Chamber
Plenary, 24 Oct 2007
24 Oct 2007 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Waiting Times
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 personal remarks, which would be uncharacteristic of the Presiding Officer.
The motion also called on the Government to publish an assessment so that, rather than the assertion of the cabinet secretary, we might have a more objective assessment of the implications of the proposals. That is not my opinion; it is what the motion said. I hope that, if the cabinet secretary is keen to comply with the will of Parliament, she will comply with all parts of the motion.
I seek clarification on the issue that Mary Scanlon raised. I am grateful that the cabinet secretary says that the NHS will use existing private sector capacity. I do not think that anybody has said otherwise. I have certainly never stated that I want to increase that capacity. However, that was explicitly excluded from her statement. The statement referred to the Golden Jubilee national hospital, Stracathro and the NHS elsewhere in the UK, and went on to refer to treatment overseas. It was inferred that the cabinet secretary would almost be happier for a patient to be treated overseas than to be treated more locally if the capacity was available.
Although the cabinet secretary continues to be of the view that the proposals will not introduce a more litigious mentality into the health service, she concedes that there might be a role for the courts. In the questions that she asks in the consultation, will she seek to give a lead, in order that we might reduce to the absolute minimum any prospect of such a mentality being introduced?
The motion also called on the Government to publish an assessment so that, rather than the assertion of the cabinet secretary, we might have a more objective assessment of the implications of the proposals. That is not my opinion; it is what the motion said. I hope that, if the cabinet secretary is keen to comply with the will of Parliament, she will comply with all parts of the motion.
I seek clarification on the issue that Mary Scanlon raised. I am grateful that the cabinet secretary says that the NHS will use existing private sector capacity. I do not think that anybody has said otherwise. I have certainly never stated that I want to increase that capacity. However, that was explicitly excluded from her statement. The statement referred to the Golden Jubilee national hospital, Stracathro and the NHS elsewhere in the UK, and went on to refer to treatment overseas. It was inferred that the cabinet secretary would almost be happier for a patient to be treated overseas than to be treated more locally if the capacity was available.
Although the cabinet secretary continues to be of the view that the proposals will not introduce a more litigious mentality into the health service, she concedes that there might be a role for the courts. In the questions that she asks in the consultation, will she seek to give a lead, in order that we might reduce to the absolute minimum any prospect of such a mentality being introduced?
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
I will continue to work hard to persuade the Scottish Liberal Democrats of the sense in our policies and in the policies of their colleagues south of the bor...
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
I want to ask about a practical issue concerning patients in NHS Lanarkshire who phone up to postpone an appointment with a consultant. In one case, a patien...
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
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Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con):
Con
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Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
I take this opportunity to pay tribute to Jackson Carlaw for sitting through the entire annual review of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde—as far I could tell, h...
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.