General Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 12 December 2024.
Neil Bibby
Labour
To ask the Scottish Government how it determines what constitutes a major service change in the national health service. (S6O-04109)
Neil Gray
Scottish National Party
Scottish ministers consider a range of factors, including the views of Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the health boards, before coming to a final decision on whether a proposed change should be considered major.
NHS boards can also consider whether a proposed change is a major service change themselves. Healthcare Improvement Scotland has published guidance to help NHS boards to identify potential major service changes. It poses questions for NHS boards to consider under eight key areas, including the
“impact on patients and carers”,
the level of public concern, “financial implications” and “consequences for other services”, among others.
Neil Bibby
Labour
Proposals to close ward 36 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, which serves older adults, would result in the removal of 22 beds. Those proposals are proceeding despite significant Opposition from NHS staff, the Unison trade union, families and patients, given the impact that the closure could have on delayed discharge and the wider hospital.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s guidance outlines key factors for designating a major service change, including the
“impact on patients and carers”,
changes in accessibility, “public or political concern”, “consequences for other services” and alterations in service delivery methods, each of which is clearly relevant to the closure of ward 36.
In the light of that, will the Cabinet secretary pause the proposed closure until a full public consultation is carried out?
Neil Gray
Scottish National Party
I thank Neil Bibby for raising an important issue, which I also raised with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and discussed with it at the board annual review a couple of weeks ago. To be fair to Mr Bibby, he reflects one element of the decision, but not the other, which is about what the capacity is going to be used for.
That ward has been used for some time for patients who are awaiting home care or care home placement and are otherwise medically fit for discharge. In line with national policy on appropriately shifting the balance of care and minimising delayed discharge, the health board is embarking on a test of change in which those resources will be directed instead to supporting hospital-at-home services in Renfrewshire. The test will be kept under review. If it is successful, the potential for a longer-term change will be investigated.
I hope that that puts the change into greater context for Mr Bibby and his constituents, as well as for the trade union representatives, with whom I have also had this discussion. I also hope that that gives some reassurance about the actions that have been taken by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Colin Beattie
Scottish National Party
I understand that the Scottish Government contacted NHS board leaders two weeks ago to outline a changed approach to the planning of services in NHS Scotland, focusing on moving to population-level planning. Can the Cabinet secretary speak to how that will help to meet Scotland’s changing needs and build the foundation for the transformation of our healthcare services?
Alison Johnstone
Green
Give a brief response, Cabinet secretary.
Neil Gray
Scottish National Party
Colin Beattie raises an important issue. As part of the reform agenda, we have developed a renewed approach to the planning of services in NHS Scotland to ensure that planning is best aligned to the size of the population who make use of those services. There will be a significant change to the way that we plan and deliver services to enable us to meet the changing needs of Scotland’s population and build the foundation for the transformation of our service. I hope that it will give reassurance to know that the change is based on clinical input from our national conversation, as well as the views of patients, as I was able to discuss with patient representatives this morning.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
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