Chamber
Plenary, 24 Oct 2007
24 Oct 2007 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Waiting Times
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 seeing things.
I will deal with the two-appointments issue before talking about the clock. I remind Richard Simpson that, under the current system, a patient who asks to rearrange an appointment will, in all likelihood, be given an availability status code that means that their guarantee will be removed for all time and they will have no certainty about when or if they will ever be treated. The new system will be infinitely better than the one it will replace.
Richard Simpson mentioned bureaucratic nightmares. The whole thrust of the NHS is to move towards more IT-based systems and more patient-focused booking, which is the sort of process that we want to accelerate. He also said that I denied that there was more bureaucracy. I did, but my denial was based on the experiences and views that have been reported to me by people who are working in the NHS front line. They do not think that the new system will add extra administration or bureaucracy, and I respectfully suggest to Richard Simpson that their views matter more than the views of anyone in this chamber.
On the issue of clocks stopping and starting, someone who could not be treated for a clinical reason previously would lose their guarantee completely. The clock system is therefore much better than the system it replaces.
I doubt that Richard Simpson was listening to my previous statement. Yes, NHS boards will be under an obligation to inform patients when and why their clock has stopped, and to keep the situation under regular review, which is unlike the availability status code situation.
All of that will form part of the review that will be undertaken internally and by Audit Scotland. If the new system does not work in the way that I intend it to, Audit Scotland will reveal that and action will be taken.
On Richard Simpson's final point about patients having a right of appeal, I said in my earlier statement that, for the first time, patients will have the right to request the information on their waiting times that is held by the NHS and managers, and if they do not agree with it they will have the right to appeal.
I will deal with the two-appointments issue before talking about the clock. I remind Richard Simpson that, under the current system, a patient who asks to rearrange an appointment will, in all likelihood, be given an availability status code that means that their guarantee will be removed for all time and they will have no certainty about when or if they will ever be treated. The new system will be infinitely better than the one it will replace.
Richard Simpson mentioned bureaucratic nightmares. The whole thrust of the NHS is to move towards more IT-based systems and more patient-focused booking, which is the sort of process that we want to accelerate. He also said that I denied that there was more bureaucracy. I did, but my denial was based on the experiences and views that have been reported to me by people who are working in the NHS front line. They do not think that the new system will add extra administration or bureaucracy, and I respectfully suggest to Richard Simpson that their views matter more than the views of anyone in this chamber.
On the issue of clocks stopping and starting, someone who could not be treated for a clinical reason previously would lose their guarantee completely. The clock system is therefore much better than the system it replaces.
I doubt that Richard Simpson was listening to my previous statement. Yes, NHS boards will be under an obligation to inform patients when and why their clock has stopped, and to keep the situation under regular review, which is unlike the availability status code situation.
All of that will form part of the review that will be undertaken internally and by Audit Scotland. If the new system does not work in the way that I intend it to, Audit Scotland will reveal that and action will be taken.
On Richard Simpson's final point about patients having a right of appeal, I said in my earlier statement that, for the first time, patients will have the right to request the information on their waiting times that is held by the NHS and managers, and if they do not agree with it they will have the right to appeal.
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
First, as I am sure Alex Neil is aware, I think that the patient whom he has described—although I do not know all the circumstances—would, under the old syst...
Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con):
Con
The cabinet secretary referred to her tour of annual review meetings with Scotland's NHS boards. Along with several hundred members of the public, I toddled ...
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
I seek further clarification on a point that was raised by my colleague Richard Simpson. In her statement, the cabinet secretary said that the new arrangemen...
Nicola Sturgeon:
SNP
Most boards are using existing IT systems to implement the new system.On the broader IT question, one of my concerns is that we have inherited a situation in...
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.