Edward Mountain asks: Are the Government hiding the cuts?

In the Parliament today, Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, questioned George Adam, Minister for Parliamentary Business, on whether the Scottish Government plans to propose a parliamentary debate on hospital waiting times.

Increased waiting times are ongoing in the Highlands and Islands, and with a stretched NHS Highlands budget it is expected that this will start to impact upon elective care for both outpatient and inpatient appointments.

Edward Mountain put the question to the Minister:

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to propose a parliamentary debate on waiting times for elective care for both outpatient and inpatient appointments.

George Adam’s response:

Currently there are no plans at this time and as Mr Mountain is aware any proposals for government business in Parliament are agreed by the Scottish Cabinet subject to consideration by the parliamentary bureau and in term approval by Parliament.

Edward Mountain’s supplementary:

As the Minister will know…party business is limited to 9 debates per parliamentary year so there’s very stiff competition. So, will the Minister undertake to raise this specific issue with the Cabinet Secretary for Health, as despite the National Treatment Centre opening earlier this year, waiting times are increasing in the Highlands and constituents in the Highlands expect these matters to be debated in the Parliament.

George Adam’s response:

I thank Mr Mountain for that question. This is the third time today Presiding Officer that I’ve been asked a question with my portfolio, I take that as a compliment of my ministerial abilities, but I would encourage the member to continue engaging with health colleagues and I am quite happy to pass on his concerns to my health colleagues as well

Following his question in Parliament today, Edward Mountain has questioned whether the Government are hiding the cuts following the steady increase in patient waiting lists.

Edward Mountain’s further comment:

“It is vital that we tackle waiting times. Asking people to wait years for orthopaedic appointments is unacceptable. Knowing that NHS Highland has a projected overspend this year of £57m makes me concerned that they will cut operations… They shouldn’t.”