Part of General Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 12 December 2024.
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.
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.
A group of workers who have united to promote their common interests.
