Health Promotion

Question Time — Scottish Executive – in the Scottish Parliament at 2:30 pm on 16 January 2003.

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Photo of Janis Hughes Janis Hughes Labour 2:30, 16 January 2003

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are necessary to promote a healthier Scotland. (S1O-6248)

Photo of Mary Mulligan Mary Mulligan Labour

In order really to make Scotland a healthier nation, we must go beyond simply treating the consequences and devote more effort to preventing ill health. As a result, a comprehensive approach across all Executive departments is essential. We will shortly publish our proposals to build on steps that have already been taken, such as the national healthy living campaign that the First Minister inaugurated last week.

Photo of Janis Hughes Janis Hughes Labour

Will the minister tell me how the Executive plans to ensure that communities are fully informed about the local facilities available to them? We will only ever improve the health of the people of Scotland if we make it easy and convenient to access those health services.

Photo of Mary Mulligan Mary Mulligan Labour

It is absolutely essential that we get the message across to the people who need to hear it. That requires a range of measures, including national measures such as the telephone helpline that was set up under the healthy living campaign, which will provide advice and information to people about how to balance their diets and use foods appropriately, and local measures. Janis Hughes will be aware of the Cambuslang health and food project in her constituency, which identifies and addresses local food poverty and related health issues. It is important that local initiatives are supported, which is what the Executive is doing, because they are best placed to take on board the problems that are faced by local people.

Photo of Alex Neil Alex Neil Scottish National Party

Does the minister agree that a key part of promoting a healthier Scotland is to address the personnel shortages in the health service? To that end, can she tell me how many nurses, doctors and consultants the Scottish Executive has agreed to second to the armed forces in the event of an armed attack on Iraq?

Photo of Mary Mulligan Mary Mulligan Labour

The current situation is that the voluntary service units that will make up the medical corps have been identified from a service south of the border. At the moment, the effect in Scotland will be minimal. However, as was said in this morning's debate on the international situation, each and every one of us would accept that, should war become a fact, we will want to support our men and women who are put into that situation. I hope that Alex Neil does not suggest otherwise.

Photo of Dennis Canavan Dennis Canavan Independent

Will the Executive ensure that the promotion of a healthier Scotland includes the building of a new state-of-the-art hospital at Larbert in the grounds of the Royal Scottish national hospital? The site already belongs to the national health service and it is readily accessible to more than 90 per cent of the population of Forth valley.

Photo of Lord David Steel Lord David Steel Presiding Officer, Scottish Parliament

I think that we had that question last week as well.

Photo of Mary Mulligan Mary Mulligan Labour

The member will be aware that the issue is still under consideration. Although I recognise his desire to represent his constituents, we have to have a comprehensive review, and the views of the people in Forth valley must be considered.