Primary Health Care

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at 11:12 am on 25 April 2002.

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Photo of Brian Fitzpatrick Brian Fitzpatrick Labour 11:12, 25 April 2002

Our chancellor's budget booster for Scotland's national health service means that we have a new opportunity for dramatic reform in our health services and for sustained and rising investment in resources and staff. As the Executive's motion outlines, we have a responsibility to deliver sustained and necessary improvements in health outcomes in our country. We are in a better position than we have ever been to meet those demands.

I listened with real concern to what Nicola Sturgeon said about the SNP's policy on the abolition of primary care trusts. In light of what she said, it seems that instead of considering devolution to LHCCs, the SNP has in mind divorcing LHCCs from the local primary care trust. The SNP seems ready to abandon the joint future agenda. Labour members are keenly aware that improvements in health outcomes in Scotland turn on linking health services with social work and housing and on fostering and maintaining discussion and co-operation among all the service providers and partners.