Trish Godman (Labour)

Wrong question then short question—a short answer would be good.

Nicola Sturgeon (Scottish National Party)

I hope that the difference will be noticed in the answer.

The non-statutory pilot in Lothian will run concurrently with the elections to NHS Fife and NHS Dumfries and Galloway. That will mean that at least one member from the local public partnership forums is appointed to the health board. The size of the executive team on the board will also be reduced.

This change places a clear emphasis on strengthening the existing structures to ensure that the views of local communities, patients and the public are at the heart of decision-making processes in NHS Lothian.

Nicola Sturgeon (Scottish National Party)

I thank Angela Constance for her interest in the subject. I very much agree that the non-statutory pilots are an opportunity to improve public involvement and engagement—indeed, that is their very objective. They also provide a point of comparison with the elected health board pilots, which will allow the Parliament at a later date to evaluate and decide on the best way forward.

As Angela Constance knows, the intention for the non-statutory pilot in Lothian is for members to be appointed from public partnership forums on to the health board. Given her clear constituency interest in the matter, I am happy to discuss alternative arrangements with her.

Dr Richard Simpson (Labour)

One suggestion around democratisation and participation that the Health and Sport Committee heard at the time of its consideration of the Health Boards (Membership and Elections) (Scotland) Bill was for increased representation of both councillors and patient groups at the level of the community health partnerships. Following that discussion at committee, has the cabinet secretary looked into the suggestion and will she issue guidance on the matter?

Nicola Sturgeon (Scottish National Party)

Richard Simpson is absolutely right. The suggestion was raised along with a host of other ideas at committee. As a result of those discussions, I brought forward—at stage 3 of the bill, I think—suggestions for alternative pilots to the statutory elected health board pilots. The bill was passed by the Parliament on the basis of the general form of the non-statutory pilots, but I am always open to considering and discussing other ways in which to increase public engagement in NHS boards. However, we are about to embark on two elected and two non-statutory pilots. It is right for the Parliament properly to assess and evaluate those before taking specific decisions about further steps.