7. Mr. Robert HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with health boards about the future of the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [19575]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State meets the chairmen of health boards regularly. They discuss a wide range of matters concerning the national health service in Scotland.
Mr. HughesWhen did the Scottish Office become aware of the cancer treatment initiative launched by the Secretary of State for Health and why has the Scottish Office yet to produce its own initiative? Is the Minister not aware—as I am, from constituency experience—of the vast disparities in the treatment of breast cancer and non-breast cancers alike? As a matter of urgency, will the Minister bring out his plans for a new health initiative on cancer treatment and state how much additional money will be devoted to ensuring that patients suffering from this dangerous disease get the best possible service?
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonI can assure the hon. Gentleman that as soon as the alarming information about breast cancer scanning in Dundee became known investigations were immediately carried out. It was found that well under 1 per cent. were affected and the matter was put right with all possible speed. I shall look into the hon. Gentleman's points about funding and initiatives in this area. I shall also bring his comments to the attention of my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State.
§ Mr. McAvoyWhen Ministers meet representatives of the Greater Glasgow health board, will they take into account the great concern felt by people in its area about Tory Government cuts which affect the health service delivered to people there? Not least, will he discuss the fact that the finance-driven cuts imposed by the Government on the Greater Glasgow health board mean that the health board is proposing the closure of the safest and most modern maternity hospital in its area, at Rutherglen? When will the Government realise that, as the recent local elections showed, the people of Scotland and of the Greater Glasgow health board area demand that the Government properly fund the national health service?
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonGlasgow has substantial funding, and we have to bear it in mind that the capitation grant gives a higher percentage share per head of population to those living in Glasgow because of the particular needs of people in the area.
844 As for the hon. Gentleman's interest in the future of Rutherglen maternity hospital, I am aware that the consultation has been extended as a result of the persuasive representations that he made on behalf of his constituents. We must await the outcome of Greater Glasgow health board's consideration of the consultation exercise which has been extended to 31 May. If any closures are proposed, the matter will be put before the Secretary of State, who will have to be certain that any new proposals will be every bit as good as, if not better than, the current position. The hon. Gentleman's representations will be carefully considered.
§ Mr. KirkwoodWill the Minister include on the agenda of his discussions with health boards about the future of the NHS the arrangements to be made for the negotiation of pay at a local level for nurses? Will he confirm that the Scottish Office has made available only enough money to allow a total increase at a maximum of 2.5 per cent. as opposed to the 3 per cent. available to nurses in the rest of the United Kingdom? Is that not shortchanging Scottish nurses? Does the Minister not believe that it is completely ludicrous for trusts such as the two established in the Borders region 26 days ago to undertake the complicated and difficult business of trying to negotiate local settlements for nurses? It is a disgrace, and he should use his influence at a national level to keep nationally negotiated rates of pay for nurses.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThat is certainly not my information. My information is that the review body said that it expects local pay on top of the national 1 per cent. to lead to increases of between 1.5 and 3 per cent. for most nurses. I strongly recommend that those involved carry out negotiations at the local level. The point of local pay is to make services more responsive to local needs. We believe that the nearer to patients decisions are taken, the better they are likely to be. I must also mention that the Scottish Office intends to issue guidance shortly on this matter.
§ Mr. McAllionWhen the sick are shuttled across the country in search of beds because too many local beds have been closed, when the private Health Care International hospital is given NHS money to take on extra staff while an NHS hospital such as the Glasgow royal infirmary is given less money and cannot afford to fill staff vacancies, and when junior doctors are worked and exploited to the point of exhaustion, to the extent that some become sick and even contemplate suicide, is it not time, for the sake of the future of the NHS, that the Government abandoned their pernicious market reforms, returned the NHS to its original purpose, which was to meet medical needs, and did not pander to private greed?
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonOn the performance of the health service in Scotland, the number of people on waiting lists fell by 4 per cent. in 1994; fewer people are experiencing lengthy waits; and more people than ever are being treated. We are absolutely determined to ensure that our national health service is second to none and we shall work flat out to ensure that.
With regard to the private sector and the new hospital buildings required, the efficiency of the private sector may help public sector funds to go very much further in the best interests of patients. Of course, health service funding has increased enormously over the years.
Mr. Robert HughesOn a point of order, Madam Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment as soon as possible.