SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Health and Well-being
Primary Health Care (Lanarkshire)
To ask the Scottish Executive what investment is planned to enhance primary health care services in Lanarkshire. (S3O-701)
The planning and provision of primary and community-based health care services in Lanarkshire is a matter for North Lanarkshire community health partnership, South Lanarkshire community health partnership and the board of Lanarkshire NHS Board.
I accept the minister's answer, but does she agree that it is vital that the new health centre in Airdrie go ahead as planned? Will she use the powers that she utilised to instruct NHS Lanarkshire on Monklands hospital accident and emergency services to instruct NHS Lanarkshire to proceed with Airdrie health centre? If she will not use her ministerial powers of intervention, why not? She was happy to use them previously, and I agreed that she should use them then.
NHS Lanarkshire has given no indication that Airdrie health centre will not go ahead. As members know, in the light of the statement that I made to Parliament that NHS Lanarkshire should retain accident and emergency services at Monklands hospital—I am glad that Karen Whitefield still agrees with that position—NHS Lanarkshire must accompany that retention with significant investment in primary and community care. It is now for NHS Lanarkshire, in reviewing its original proposals, to come forward with specific proposals, which I expect it to do. I am pleased to say that I expect there to be significant investment in primary and community services in Lanarkshire in the future. I hope that the member will welcome that investment at that time.
A number of members have requested to ask supplementary questions, which should be exactly that—not supplementary speeches. I am keen for members to ask supplementaries, but such questions must be short and succinct.
I support the call to build Airdrie health centre. The proposal has been around for 10 years but nothing has happened so far. If the project is not high on the priority list that NHS Lanarkshire publishes in October, will the cabinet secretary consider that when the list reaches her desk?
Alex Neil is right to point out the previous Labour and Liberal Democrat Executive's lack of action in that regard. I pay tribute to him for being a staunch supporter of his constituents in Airdrie—it will not go unnoticed. I understand acutely the strength of feeling on Airdrie health centre and do not doubt that NHS Lanarkshire understands it too.
I say to the minister that Alex Neil was such a staunch supporter of the health of the people of Lanarkshire that he did not even take the trouble to respond to "A Picture of Health: A Framework for Health Service Improvement in Lanarkshire". I say to the minister—
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I state categorically that the statement that the member has made is not true.
It is true.
It is not.
I am not prepared to let members have a sedentary argument across the chamber. I apologise for interrupting Cathie Craigie's question.
On the point that Mr Neil made, I refer the Presiding Officer to comments that were made in the chamber in the previous session.
The member should ask a question, please.
My question is about facilities in the primary care service that were proposed for the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth area, which were linked to the "Picture of Health" document. As the minister knows, people in my constituency expected a community casualty unit to be opened in Cumbernauld early in 2008. People in Kilsyth expected progress with primary care facilities in Kilsyth. How should I respond to people in my constituency who are keen for those facilities to be provided and who see her action in relation to Monklands as holding them up?
Cathie Craigie should say to her constituents that I am as keen as they are to see significant investment in primary and community care services. I said that in my statement in June. I remind her that my "action in relation to Monklands", as she called it, was not only widely supported by the public in Lanarkshire and throughout Scotland—it was supported by a great many of her colleagues, one of whom had within days of the election lodged a parliamentary motion demanding that I take that action. Labour should decide what side of the debate it is on.
Is the cabinet secretary aware of the success of the minor ailments service that was introduced by Boots pharmacy in Lanarkshire and other parts of Scotland, which complements primary health care by taking some of the pressure from general practitioner services and providing an enhanced local community pharmacy? If so, will she confirm that that and similar initiatives will be encouraged by the new Government?
Absolutely. I am also keen to see primary care developed on a team basis. GPs perform a vital role in the primary care team, but other professionals perform equally vital roles. If we are to make a significant difference to improving people's health, we must not just add investment in community and primary care—we must also take a whole new approach to working. Everybody who currently makes a contribution in that regard has a big contribution to make in the future.
Does the cabinet secretary accept that a minor injuries unit should currently be under construction in Lanark in my constituency and, that as a direct result of her ministerial intervention in Monklands accident and emergency unit, the minor injuries service is now on hold?
I gently and firmly remind Karen Gillon—as I reminded Cathie Craigie—that my ministerial intervention was not only supported strongly by her colleagues, it was demanded by them. The reason was that it was right to say that the closure of the A and E unit at Monklands was wrong. I am proud to say that the new SNP Government has ensured the continuation of the accident and emergency unit at Monklands.
Midlothian Community Hospital
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it continues to support the construction of the new Midlothian community hospital at Hardengreen. (S3O-665)
The Scottish Government continues to support the development of the project. Final approval for the project to proceed will be based on the satisfactory review of a full business case, due to be submitted prior to financial close.
I am grateful to the minister for that response, which I hope will reassure my constituents, some of whom are concerned that progress on the hospital has ground to a halt since the election. The minister will know that, as well as replacing extremely outdated hospitals, both at Rosslynlea and Loanhead, the plan has always been to provide additional outpatient services in the new hospital in order to reduce the need for people to travel outside Midlothian for routine treatment. Will the minister advise me, either here or in writing, what additional outpatient services will be provided and when the community hospital will open?
I presume that as the local member, Rhona Brankin is aware of the fact that the proposed new hospital was first discussed in 2000. In the seven years following that, her party was in government, so if there has been any delay, the blame lies at the door of not this Administration, but the previous one.
Old Age (Dignity and Well-being)
To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it places on ensuring dignity and well-being in old age. (S3O-694)
The Scottish Government attaches the very highest importance to ensuring the dignity and well-being of Scotland's older people. We have confirmed our commitment to the vision and actions for Scotland's ageing population set out in the "All Our Futures" document, published earlier this year. For older people with long-term care needs, we have undertaken to increase free personal and nursing care support in line with inflation from next April. We are continuing to support the vital work of bodies, such as the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care, in ensuring and improving standards of care, in particular through the national care standards. We have also identified as a priority the needs of people affected by dementia.
Is the minister aware of the report in the Irvine Herald two weeks ago of the care worker who has been charged with the assault of an elderly resident at Cumbrae Lodge nursing home, a national health service nursing home in my constituency? I understand that the matter is sub judice, but does she acknowledge the concerns of residents and their relatives? What action will she take to ensure that adequate safeguards are put in place for this very vulnerable group?
I am aware of the case and I am very concerned about the facts that surround it. Of course, the care commission exists to ensure the highest standards and it will take the appropriate action. As Irene Oldfather said, at the moment, the case is sub judice. I am prepared to hold further discussions with the member on the matter at a future date.
Community First Responders (Borders)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the role of community first responders in the Scottish Borders. (S3O-621)
Community first responder schemes are operated by volunteers who are trained by the Scottish Ambulance Service in first aid skills. They respond to emergencies while an ambulance is en route. Those schemes are an essential part of patient care, particularly in remote and rural areas. There are currently around 39 schemes across Scotland, two of which are in the Borders. I know that work is currently under way to try to develop more schemes not only in the Borders, but elsewhere in the country. I encourage more people to become involved in such a worthwhile cause.
Given that the nearest ambulance service is many miles away, people in the village of Newcastleton in my constituency often have to rely on community first responders to provide emergency ambulance service cover. The group, which is entirely voluntary and self-funded, is in desperate need of financial support to ensure continuation of the vital service that it provides. Will the minister confirm that funding will be made available?
Too many conversations are going on in the chamber.
I am aware that the British Heart Foundation is funding one of the current posts until June 2008. The post is currently filled by a paramedic who is on secondment. If the Scottish Ambulance Service believes that the post to which the member referred should be retained—as I hope it does—I would expect it to subsume the cost of the post into its budget for 2008-09.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Centres
To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to take forward an increase in the number of cardiac rehabilitation centres. (S3O-650)
I recognise the importance and effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation programmes. We expect NHS boards, through their cardiac managed clinical networks, to make sure that everyone who would benefit has access to a cardiac rehabilitation programme that meets their needs.
Under the picture of health programme, NHS Lanarkshire planned to provide improved primary care facilities in both Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, as the constituency member, Cathie Craigie, said. Does the cabinet secretary agree that Cumbernauld and Kilsyth are the ideal locations in the northern corridor for such rehabilitation centres? As a result of the cabinet secretary's decision on Monklands, the health board has been obliged to shelve its proposals. Is that a negative step in the development of delivery mechanisms for primary care services in Lanarkshire?
I hesitate to point this out to Hugh O'Donnell, but he signed the parliamentary motion that demanded that I reverse the previous Government's decision on accident and emergency at Monklands. There is a need for greater consistency on the matter. In recognition of the seriousness of the issue, I repeat my appreciation of the importance of cardiac rehabilitation. Two weeks ago, I was pleased to attend the cardiac rehabilitation festival in Glasgow, where I saw at first hand the real benefits that cardiac rehabilitation can bring to individual patients.
Housing Stock Transfer (Glasgow)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure the transfer of Glasgow housing stock into community ownership. (S3O-635)
We are considering the way forward in the light of the findings in the inspection report on the Glasgow Housing Association, which has just been published. We will continue to support progress towards second-stage transfer where that can be sensibly achieved, but it is clear from the inspection report that a more fundamental rethink and debate about GHA's future is needed, so that the wider regeneration and housing needs of the city can be addressed. Above all, it is important that any solution safeguards the interests of existing and future tenants.
Members of all parties will acknowledge the statements of support for progress towards second-stage transfer that have been made for a long time. Those statements have been well meant and sincere, yet despite that consistent political support across the parties, progress has not been made. We all hope that progress will be made on pilot transfers over the next few months. If that does not happen, is the Government willing to legislate to make it happen?
In the light of the inspection report, which came out just this week, there is clearly a possibility that there could be some small-scale transfers, I hope in the not-too-distant future. We will certainly engage with GHA to ensure that it pays attention to that process and that it proceeds as speedily as possible. Beyond that, we must carefully consider the report and where the future of housing and regeneration in Glasgow lies. It would be inappropriate for me to predetermine at this stage the outcome of the discussions and debate on that. We should first pay attention to the detail of the inspection report and listen to all the stakeholders with regard to the future of housing in Glasgow.
Will the minister reflect on the Communities Scotland report on the Glasgow Housing Association, which includes the comment that GHA had
The member is absolutely correct. It is fair to point out, however, that it was not just Wendy Alexander—Jackie Baillie, Margaret Curran and other Labour members are responsible for the situation that the tenants of Glasgow now find themselves in. The Government is committed to delivering for the tenants of Glasgow. Under this Government, the tenants will not be considered last, as has been the case during the past few years. We are determined to make progress for the tenants of Glasgow on second-stage transfer and on repairs to, and renewal of, housing in Glasgow.
Will the minister clarify his somewhat disappointing approach? In particular, does he whole-heartedly accept Communities Scotland's perspective on the long-term future of GHA? Does he agree that part of the problem is that GHA seems to regard itself as having a long-term future? Is he in a position to instruct GHA to incorporate arrangements for second-stage transfer into its business plan? Does he agree that its wilful failure to do that forms a large part of the current problem?
The inspection report is very welcome. It is detailed and thorough, and provides a clear examination of GHA's performance since the stock transfer. I welcome it in that context.
Given that the minister's party advised tenants in Renfrewshire, Highland and Edinburgh, among other areas, to vote against their own interests and against stock transfer, and that tenants who are asking for help now are being told, "It's nothing to do with us," it is a bit rich for the minister to talk to us about taking responsibility like that.
You should stop now, please.
Will the minister please comment on the ministerial group?
I apologise to Johann Lamont for leaving her name off the list of shame of ministers who were involved in the process of GHA.
Rural Affairs and the Environment
Flood Prevention
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of a doubling in funding for flood prevention in the last session of the Parliament, what level of funding will be provided for prevention measures in 2007-08 and 2008-09. (S3O-698)
As members know, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment has had to be at a foot-and-mouth disease summit in London and is unable to answer questions today. I am happy to be here to answer questions.
I am sure that all members will join me in wishing Richard Lochhead good luck in his work in London, which is important to our farmers and rural communities.
The issue of liability in this matter has not been fully resolved and it would be wrong of me to make assumptions about liability while speaking here. However, what took place in Milnathort is important to our understanding of where we might go in legislation on flood management, which was referred to in this morning's debate.
Will the minister consider the operation of the presumption against building on flood plains? South Lanarkshire Council, supported by the previous Executive, gave the go-ahead for the construction of a new school on a functioning flood plain. That will give rise to major problems once the school is constructed.
As Alex Neil knows from this morning's debate, there have been only 12 cases in the past five years in which a local authority's decision to go ahead and give planning permission has run contrary to Scottish Environment Protection Agency advice. In all those cases, matters have been re-examined closely, and two cases were called in by the Scottish Executive.
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and what issues were discussed. (S3O-696)
There have been a number of meetings between the Scottish Government and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. This lunch time, I had the honour of launching the second Langholm project—the director of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in Scotland was present, and the organisation is a partner in that programme.
The minister will be aware of the concerns of the RSPB and others about the declining health of our marine environment. The minority Government has announced that it will not proceed with creating marine national parks, despite enthusiasm for the idea in at least some parts of Scotland. The Government has also delayed the introduction of the marine bill, and it has responded neither to the Advisory Group on Marine and Coastal Strategy recommendations nor to the Parliament's inquiry into the marine environment. Does the minister appreciate the need for urgency in taking forward all those issues? Is he working with ministers in the United Kingdom Government on marine legislation? When can we expect responses to the key reports that I mentioned and when will a marine bill be introduced—will he give us those dates?
I utterly reject the view that the marine bill has been delayed. In reality, the marine bill was planned in a number of manifestos. This Government gave a commitment to it and substantial work is being done on it. The issue of damage to marine habitats, in particular to seabirds—of which Mr Peacock is well aware—worries many of us. There are a variety of reasons for it, but he can rest assured that the legislation that this Government is bringing forward will be adequate for the task of protecting habitats and environments. We will take seriously our duty to collaborate with all those who share borders with us at sea or on land.
I am sure that the minister, in his discussions with the RSPB, will have discussed the issue of set-aside, in light of the impending zero rate for that. Although a move away from set-aside will allow us to examine new and more effective means of farming in ways that benefit the environment, will the minister outline the immediate measures that he will take to mitigate any short-term environmental damage that follows the implementation of a zero rate?
We want to encourage the most responsible use of the countryside by all those who work and make their living there. We are conscious that, as we work towards the Scotland rural development programme, which is going through its approval mechanism in Europe, there will at certain stages be problems with matching exact dates. We encourage all farmers, land managers and land users to operate responsibly in an environmental sense—and, of course, in every other sense. If difficulties are experienced, for example as a result of the developments on set-aside—which lie alongside other developments that are taking place—we will work closely with farmers, land managers and land users and do our best to ensure that, together, we find solutions for them and the countryside.
Question 3 is withdrawn.
Rural Development
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to aid rural development, given the impact of a lack of affordable housing in rural areas. (S3O-672)
As I have just said, the Scottish Government has submitted the Scotland rural development programme to the European Commission for approval. We await a response, which we hope to have by the end of the year. The programme will inject £1.6 billion into rural areas over the next seven years to support a wide range of rural development options. The Scottish Government recognises that a sufficient supply of housing is vital for economic growth and sustainability of rural communities. We have set up a housing supply task force to identify and tackle the obstacles that inhibit the delivery of more housing. Housing supply issues in rural areas are an early priority and I know that the housing supply task force has already discussed the issue.
It does not answer the question to talk of submissions to the European Union or of task forces being set up. The minister is surely aware that, in the south-east of Scotland, average house prices are the highest in the whole of the country and are still rising. In Lothians, we have a chronic shortage of affordable housing—in East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian. It is vital that the chronic problem be tackled.
Ah!
Well, old millionaire there can wave his finger at me and go "Ah", but these question times, Presiding Officer—
Are meant for questions, Lord Foulkes.
They are meant for questions, and to hold the Scottish Executive accountable. For once can we have a straight answer? Will Michael Russell say what the Executive will do to deal with the problem of affordable housing?
Resist the temptation, Mike.
I never resist a temptation, as Mr Kerr knows. The answer was contained in my answer; it is a great pity that the noble lord does not listen.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. That answer has to be corrected. Michael Russell is an old friend of mine but he cannot get away with that. What nonsense to say that I have been absent from this country. I have been constantly resident in this country year after year after year. If you do not know that, Presiding Officer—and you used to be a constituent of mine in my old constituency—no one knows it. Will you please confirm what I say, and put Michael Russell right?
I am happy to confirm that we have bumped into each other on the odd occasion, Lord Foulkes. However, your point was not a point of order.
Recycling Targets
To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution local authorities have made to exceeding recycling targets. (S3O-681)
As Mr Kerr knows as a resident of Scotland, local authorities have made a significant contribution to exceeding recycling targets.
Mr Russell is on dangerous ground when he talks about the income of members. The income of the member sitting next to him has been all over the papers today.
The report is interesting, as Mr Kerr suggests. However, its criticism lies not in four months of the Scottish Government but in eight years of the Scottish Executive. It is a very good thing that I am able to tell the chamber that the next stage in the discussions will be the waste summit, which will take place on 3 October 2007 at Easter Road, a venue that will be known to residents and non-residents alike. Easter Road, in Edinburgh, will be where the summit will take place. At the summit, a range of issues will be discussed, including the issue that Mr Kerr raises.
Recycling Targets (Glasgow City Council)
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of Glasgow City Council to discuss recycling targets. (S3O-684)
Representatives of all local authorities were invited to attend a recycling workshop on 13 August 2007. We are holding a waste summit with local authorities and others on 3 October 2007, as I have said. I hope that Glasgow City Council will be represented. There will be an opportunity to discuss constructively the matters that Mr Martin raises.
I thank the minister for his constructive reply. I remind him of today's BBC report, which mentions the interest of a number of social groups in being involved in recycling throughout Scotland. One group in my constituency, the primary and secondary school sector, wishes to be involved in recycling but requires the funding to be able to take that up. Will there be additional funding to allow that sector to be involved in recycling?
Mr Martin raises an important point. The involvement of young people in such issues is crucial. The eco-schools project brings into schools many environmental concerns, including waste management and recycling. We are always willing to consider ways in which we can enhance that programme. Keep Scotland Beautiful, which administers the eco-schools project, is introducing a major campaign on food waste, in which schools will be actively involved. If the member would like to discuss with myself and the Cabinet other things that we could do to help schools to participate—indeed, to help Glasgow to participate, because recycling rates in Glasgow are lower than we would like, partly because of the difficulties of recycling from tenements—we would welcome a conversation with him.
Farm Produce (Prices)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that farmers receive a fair price for their produce. (S3O-628)
The Scottish Government fully appreciates the difficulties currently facing farmers. A fair price for farmers is essential to ensure a profitable and sustainable agriculture sector. Although Government cannot intervene in the market, we are encouraging the different parts of the food chain to engage effectively in order to secure the future for all parts of the chain. The First Minister and I met the industry—including farmers, processors and retailers—on 13 September. That was a first step. We agreed to establish a food forum to ensure on-going positive engagement. We have also begun to hold meetings with all the major supermarkets; that has allowed us to hear more about their policies, in particular their sourcing policies and relationships with their Scottish suppliers.
I thank the minister for the content of his reply, as I am aware that John Scott also has an interest in the subject. The minister is clearly aware of the widespread concern among the farming community about the level of farm-gate prices and in particular the current concern about prices of red meat and lamb. I have listened with interest to everything that the minister has said, but does he agree that it is time for a robust code of practice—legally enforceable if necessary—to be put into place with the supermarkets to ensure that they treat their suppliers more fairly than has been the case in the past?
We have never made a secret of the fact that should such robust action be required, we will not be afraid to take it. The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment and the First Minister have found a strong and growing realisation, particularly among the supermarkets, that something must change. We are looking for that change in the short term, rather than the medium or long term.
Water and Sewerage Infrastructure (Glasgow)
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the required capital investment is available to modernise Glasgow's water and sewerage infrastructure. (S3O-666)
Scottish Water has been set a number of objectives to ensure that water and sewerage infrastructure continues to be modernised across Scotland. Those objectives are available on the Government's website. In the period 2006-10, £2.45 billion of investment will be made across Scotland, with significant commitments in Glasgow. In partnership with Glasgow City Council and others, Scottish Water is participating in the metropolitan Glasgow strategic drainage partnership to ensure that a co-ordinated approach is being taken to the improvement of drainage throughout the metropolitan Glasgow area.
I draw the attention of the minister and members to recent articles in the Evening Times and The Herald highlighting a catalogue of major leaks, faults and subsidence over the past few months, which have brought chaos to parts of Glasgow. Those incidents include a major burst in Crow Road and Whittinghame Drive in my Anniesland constituency.
There is engagement between Scottish Water and the council. Scottish Water will shortly appear in front of the council's land services committee to explain its investment plans. I share some of Bill Butler's concerns in relation to leaks and the standard of some of the things that have been happening. Those are the sort of aspects about which I am fully engaged in discussions with Scottish Water.
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