Health and Community Care Committee, 29 Jun 1999
Meeting date: Tuesday, June 29, 1999
Official Report
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Scottish Parliament Health and Community Care Committee Tuesday 29 June 1999 (Afternoon)
[The Oldest Member of the Committee opened the meeting at 14:20]
I give a warm welcome to those attending the first meeting of the Scottish Parliament's Health and Community Care Committee. I especially welcome members of the public who are here representing vital groups. One of our major concerns is that the public should be involved not just by buzz phrases such as social inclusion, but by being present. It should be made clear to the wider public, as well as to the people who are present today, that the committees will receive deputations from the public to ensure that those who are done unto by legislators can make representations directly in Edinburgh. That will be a lot easier than going to Westminster.
Today we have representatives from the national health service in Lothian; the occupational health service; the institute for housing, which has very important links with health; Unison; the NHS Confederation; the Royal College of Nursing; the British Medical Association; the Scottish Consumer Council; and the National Pharmaceutical Association, which represents Scottish pharmacists. That is a splendid turnout for our first meeting.
This committee is charged with life and death matters—nothing is more important than the health of Scotland. It is also responsible for the welfare of the staff of the NHS and related services, including social work. We have to ensure that they get fair play.
I am convening the committee only because it has been discovered that I am the oldest member. I think people should always give their age in dog years; that is much better for people's mental welfare. I will hand over shortly to the real convener.