St Margaret of Scotland Hospice (Funding)

Part of Question Time — Scottish Executive — Health and Wellbeing – in the Scottish Parliament at 2:15 pm on 4 December 2008.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Ross Finnie Ross Finnie Liberal Democrat 2:15, 4 December 2008

With all due respect to the cabinet secretary, I am afraid that I find unhelpful the comment:

"The continued existence of St Margaret of Scotland hospice is not in doubt."

The cabinet secretary is well aware that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde appears to be willing to keep the building open but has no intention of allowing it to continue as a hospice. That is the nub of the question. In its latest letter to the management of the hospice, dated 13 November, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde sets out alternative means by which St Margaret's might remain open, but they do not include services that would use the skills of the nursing staff at St Margaret's or its skills as a hospice. I repeat my question: what steps will the cabinet secretary take to ensure that St Margaret's continues as a hospice?