National Health Service

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at 11:09 am on 3 February 2000.

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Photo of Iain Gray Iain Gray Labour 11:09, 3 February 2000

Not just now.

David Davidson's speech was also extremely confusing, as it seemed to criticise us for not running the NHS as some kind of soviet-style command-and-control centralised organisation.

Back in December, in the debate I mentioned, Susan Deacon and I expressed our confidence—not complacency—in our doctors, nurses and ancillary staff and their preparations for the winter period. We did not know then that they would in many cases face unprecedented levels of activity in January. Nevertheless, they did and our confidence was not misplaced. Our confidence was based on visits to hospitals, meetings with staff and the close examination of planning. The Opposition could choose to have confidence, too, as Cathy Jamieson did in forming an excellent contribution to today's debate.

We are already—just into February—beginning to plan for next winter with staff. We are looking forward, not back.