5th October, 2015

Questions to the First Minister

Last week, the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon appeared before the conveners of the Scottish Parliament’s committees to answer questions on her legislative programme for the year ahead. This is an annual event and provides a chance to hold the First Minister to account for her policies.

As convener of the Health Committee, I was given the opportunity to raise concerns about the huge inequalities that exist in Scotland. Inequality is of course an amalgamation of a whole range of issues but low pay is one of its major causes.

Almost four years ago the Health Committee, as part of its inquiry into the regulation of care for older people, recommended to the Scottish Government that all workers in the social care sector should be paid a Living Wage.

Interest in paying the Living Wage has increased ever since but implementation has been slow. However, I was glad that Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that the Scottish Government is currently meeting with local authorities to meet the challenge.

I also asked the First Minister about the barriers facing people with terminal illnesses in accessing the medicines that would allow them to extend and improve the quality of the life they have left.

There has been progress since the committee reported on the issue in June 2013. Access has improved and a fund now exists to give financial support to those who cannot afford new medicines.

But there are still glitches in the system. Last week, I met a young women who says she is having to pay out of her own pocket to access the drug she dearly needs. The First Minister invited me to pass on the details of her case.

Politics rarely solves problems overnight but we have to take every opportunity we can to drive change and give help to those who need it most.

27th September, 2015

Ban on smoking in vehicles

With the significant resources at its disposal the Scottish Government can often dominate the legislative agenda.

But there are times when members of the Scottish Parliament are able to find some space on the busy Parliamentary timetable to put forth their own pieces of legislation which can make a positive difference to people’s lives.

Indeed, last week, the Parliament’s Health Committee which I convene, fully endorsed a law drafted by the Liberal Democrat MSP Jim Hume, which would introduce a ban on smoking in vehicles in the presence of those who are under 18.

Over 95% of those who submitted evidence to the committee’s inquiry backed the proposal. The general public are also largely supportive. A 2015 YouGov survey commissioned by ASH Scotland found that 85% of Scottish adults overall and 72% of smokers were in favour of the ban.

During the course of its inquiry the committee was told that levels of second-hand smoke increase to over eleven times those of a smoky pub when a cigarette is smoked in a stationary car with the windows closed.

We also heard that over 4,000 new cases of respiratory infection, wheeze and asthma in Scottish children could be avoided every year by reducing the exposure of children to passive smoking.

Over the years education campaigns have made some headway in tackling misconceptions about second-hand smoke. But when one considers such evidence it is clear that more needs to be done.

If this law is passed by Parliament, it will send out a clear message about the harm second hand smoke can have on children.

After similar legislation was introduced in Canada, the committee was informed that there was a 33% reduction in children being exposed to second-hand smoke.  I hope we will see a similar impact here in Scotland.

20th September, 2015

We can learn from Ardgowan Hospice

Ardgowan Hospice has been a cornerstone of the Inverclyde community for over thirty years providing high quality care to people at the end of their lives. The first class service provided by its staff and volunteers is to be commended. Their focus on choice for patients and personalised care has made such a positive difference to people in Inverclyde and their families.

I’m glad therefore that today members of the Scottish Parliament’s Health Committee will get to see the hospice’s fantastic services first hand. The visit is part of the committee’s current inquiry into the provision and availability of end-of-life and palliative care. The inquiry is all about finding out about people’s experiences and making sure everyone that needs access to high quality palliative care receives it.

During the visit we will speak with the staff, the volunteers and patients and hear about the support that is provided through the hospice’s day care centre. For the committee to see the hospice in action will be invaluable and will lead to a real understanding of how their high standards of care can be replicated throughout country.

During the initial stages of our inquiry we have heard that there are serious deficits in the quality of palliative care being provided for throughout Scotland. Indeed, a report prepared for the health committee by Prof David Clark of Glasgow University, has estimated that 10,000 people die in Scotland each year without appropriate end-of-life care. It’s clear that things need to change and I hope this visit and the committee’s inquiry will be the start of that process.

14th September, 2015

Extend Blue Badge Eligibility Criteria

Sometimes it can be the little things that make a big difference to people’s lives. Take the blue badge scheme. For those of you unfamiliar with the initiative, it allows people with disabilities to access disabled parking spaces whether it’s directly outside the shops, hospital or local leisure centre.

But not everyone who needs a blue badge is currently receiving one. Recently I was contacted by a worried parent Mr McLevy, whose son Aiden has Down Syndrome. Due to the fact that Aiden can walk, he does not meet the new eligibility criteria for the scheme and has not had his blue badge renewed.

However, as Mr McLevy highlighted to me, while his son may be able to walk he has low muscle tone and sensory awareness. He is often unaware of the potential danger around him and can be unpredictable in car parks. Without a blue badge to access disabled parking spaces, it can be a real challenge for Aiden and his parents to do the things that we all take for granted such as going to the doctor, spending an afternoon in town or simply getting the groceries in.

If Aiden lived in Wales he would automatically qualify for a blue badge due to a recent change in law introduced by its devolved government. Here in Scotland, the government consulted last year on changing the law. There was overwhelming support for doing so but nothing has happened yet. This is why I have secured a debate in Parliament taking place this Wednesday on the matter.

I hope that it will act as a catalyst to move us towards a change in legislation so that young people like Aiden and his parents get the improved support they need to go about their daily lives safely.

September 7th 2015

Back to Parliament

After the summer in the constituency it was back to Edinburgh this week for the new session of the Parliament and there was a lot to be getting on with.

The Health Committee which I convener resumed its scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s plans to enforce the smoking ban on hospital grounds and to restrict the sale of e-cigarettes. Furthermore, the Devolution Committee of which I am also a member examined substantive proposals to deliver further powers to the Scottish Parliament.

Away from the committees, the central focus of the week was on the Scottish Government’s legislative programme for the year ahead. There were a number of proposals welcomed by MSPs from all sides of the Parliament’s debating chamber including the abolition of fees for employment tribunals and payments for kinship carers something which I have campaigned on for considerable time.

In response to the increasing concerns from police officers, the public and the media, the government also gave way and announced there will be a full scale review on the workings of Police Scotland. Given the counter closures, the proliferation of stop and search and the unacceptable detection rates for housebreaking in Inverclyde, this is welcome news.

While there was certainly a number of positive aspects to this programme there were also some areas where it was lacking. There is still no action to be taken on the shortfall of bursaries for college students and there was no mention about how we can get Scotland’s drug strategy back on the road to recovery.

As one would expect there was a robust debate about the pros and cons of the government’s legislative programme. However, there was also a poignant moment when politicians unified to recognise and pay respects to those affected by the refugee crisis. Let’s hope this compassion is matched with action in the days ahead.