Chamber
Plenary, 03 Sep 2009
03 Sep 2009 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Insulin Pump Therapy
As has been said, Parliament had the opportunity to discuss this important matter in May 2008. I thank Dave Stewart for securing this evening's debate and for rightly keeping the matter to the fore. He clearly outlined the cost benefit for patients and the NHS, so I will not go over that.
Members know that this time is set aside during the parliamentary week to allow members to highlight issues. No decision is taken on the debates, as the Presiding Officer always reminds us, but we listen carefully to what the final speaker—the minister—has to say. At the previous debate on the issue, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing told us that the Government was
"committed to ensuring that people with type 1 diabetes who meet the criteria should have access to the insulin pumps that deliver therapy."—[Official Report, 21 May 2008; c 8838.]
I welcomed that commitment, but I am told that people who meet the criteria are still not getting quick access to that therapy. We have heard during the debate how such access varies around the country.
One of my constituents raised with me the experience and difficulties that his young relative has had in that regard. That young man, who is now 16, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes four years ago. The diagnosis was a nightmare for him. He was and is needle phobic, so members will understand the other difficulties that he has to live with daily. Last summer, he became unwell and, while looking for ways to feel better, started chatting to other young people via the internet. Sadly, he had never met anyone of his age with type 1 diabetes because he was, on diagnosis, referred straight to adult services. I am sure that people will agree that that is a sad situation for a young person. Many of the young people whom he sought out and spoke to told him that they used insulin pump therapy, and that it had brought great benefits to them, to the quality of their lives and to that of other family members.
Over the past year, that young man and his mother have had a long and stressful battle with the NHS to get a pump. He is sure that his symptoms, his swings in blood-glucose levels and the negative impact that they have on his quality of life and ability to enjoy everyday things would be greatly improved if he had pump therapy. His family are still hopeful that he will get a pump, because they believe that he meets the criteria that have been set. However, he needs the pump now, at a time in his life when he has so much to do to complete his school education and get qualifications that will open doors on the quality of his life and his aspirations for the future. However, he still does not have the pump.
That was a short story about a young 16-year-old boy. We heard Kenny Gibson give the example of a young girl in his constituency. I am sure that the story can be replicated across the country—there are loads of people out there with similar experiences. I say to the minister that, although we welcome the commitment that was given last year, it is not good enough that people's quality of life is being wasted—we need action now. We have heard the arguments about the cost benefits, and I am sure that we all accept that they are right. People who meet the criteria should therefore have pump therapy now. I believe that the minister has the power to direct the health boards in that regard. I know that the boards should drive the issue, but I ask the minister to use the power that she has to direct boards to get on with the work and improve the quality of so many people's lives up and down the country.
Members know that this time is set aside during the parliamentary week to allow members to highlight issues. No decision is taken on the debates, as the Presiding Officer always reminds us, but we listen carefully to what the final speaker—the minister—has to say. At the previous debate on the issue, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing told us that the Government was
"committed to ensuring that people with type 1 diabetes who meet the criteria should have access to the insulin pumps that deliver therapy."—[Official Report, 21 May 2008; c 8838.]
I welcomed that commitment, but I am told that people who meet the criteria are still not getting quick access to that therapy. We have heard during the debate how such access varies around the country.
One of my constituents raised with me the experience and difficulties that his young relative has had in that regard. That young man, who is now 16, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes four years ago. The diagnosis was a nightmare for him. He was and is needle phobic, so members will understand the other difficulties that he has to live with daily. Last summer, he became unwell and, while looking for ways to feel better, started chatting to other young people via the internet. Sadly, he had never met anyone of his age with type 1 diabetes because he was, on diagnosis, referred straight to adult services. I am sure that people will agree that that is a sad situation for a young person. Many of the young people whom he sought out and spoke to told him that they used insulin pump therapy, and that it had brought great benefits to them, to the quality of their lives and to that of other family members.
Over the past year, that young man and his mother have had a long and stressful battle with the NHS to get a pump. He is sure that his symptoms, his swings in blood-glucose levels and the negative impact that they have on his quality of life and ability to enjoy everyday things would be greatly improved if he had pump therapy. His family are still hopeful that he will get a pump, because they believe that he meets the criteria that have been set. However, he needs the pump now, at a time in his life when he has so much to do to complete his school education and get qualifications that will open doors on the quality of his life and his aspirations for the future. However, he still does not have the pump.
That was a short story about a young 16-year-old boy. We heard Kenny Gibson give the example of a young girl in his constituency. I am sure that the story can be replicated across the country—there are loads of people out there with similar experiences. I say to the minister that, although we welcome the commitment that was given last year, it is not good enough that people's quality of life is being wasted—we need action now. We have heard the arguments about the cost benefits, and I am sure that we all accept that they are right. People who meet the criteria should therefore have pump therapy now. I believe that the minister has the power to direct the health boards in that regard. I know that the boards should drive the issue, but I ask the minister to use the power that she has to direct boards to get on with the work and improve the quality of so many people's lives up and down the country.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan):
SNP
The final item of business is a members' business debate on motion S3M-4723, in the name of David Stewart, on insulin pump therapy. The debate will be conclu...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament acknowledges the benefits that insulin pumps have for people with type 1 diabetes in assisting with the condition; notes that between 4% ...
David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to debate access to insulin pumps and thank members throughout the chamber who signed the motion and who have deferred travelling t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
We come to the open debate. As a substantial number wish to speak, I ask members to limit their contributions to four minutes.
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP):
SNP
I congratulate David Stewart on securing this debate on an issue of great importance for many families throughout Scotland. As we have heard, type 1 diabetes...
The Minister for Public Health and Sport (Shona Robison):
SNP
I have information on Ayrshire and Arran, which the member might find useful. As I understand it, a redesign of the dietetic resource is going on, to support...
Kenneth Gibson:
SNP
I am delighted to hear that. I was contacted by constituents about the issue only this week. If that redesign is taking place, I hope that people whose child...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
The member should conclude.
Kenneth Gibson:
SNP
I will finish on that point, then.
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
I am obliged.
Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate on insulin pump provision, which is an important issue, and I congratulate Dave Stewart on securing the deba...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
That is a good point on which to conclude.
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I, too, congratulate David Stewart on securing the debate. It is appropriate that we discuss insulin pump therapy again, given the commitment that the Cabine...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
The member must conclude.
Mary Scanlon:
Con
I will leave it there.
Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab):
Lab
As has been said, Parliament had the opportunity to discuss this important matter in May 2008. I thank Dave Stewart for securing this evening's debate and fo...
Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD):
LD
I, too, congratulate David Stewart on securing the debate and on his continued interest in the matter.I must make a declaration of interest, Presiding Office...
Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab):
Lab
I congratulate David Stewart on continuing to bring to our attention an issue that is of great significance to far too many people throughout Scotland.Let me...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
At this stage, I would be prepared to accept a motion without notice to extend the debate by up to 10 minutes.
Motion moved,
That, under Rule 8.14.3, the debate be extended by up to 10 minutes.—David Stewart.
Motion agreed to.
Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I, too, am pleased that David Stewart has secured the debate and thank him for his efforts in doing so. My comments will be fairly brief but, given that I ch...
Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab):
Lab
I, too, congratulate David Stewart on securing the debate, which is the third debate on diabetes in the Parliament. As Nanette Milne said, we received a help...
The Minister for Public Health and Sport (Shona Robison):
SNP
I acknowledge David Stewart's long-standing commitment to the issue in the Parliament. As members have said, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing n...
Karen Whitefield:
Lab
The Government is currently undertaking work to review the Scottish diabetes framework. I do not expect the minister to tell us what will be in the revised d...
Shona Robison:
SNP
I will come on to the framework in a minute.Some of the credit for the progress that has been made—albeit that there is still more to do—must be given to the...
Meeting closed at 17:53.