HC Deb 31 January 1996 vol 270 cc996-8
12. Ms Rachel Squire

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on NHS staffing costs. [10798]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Resources available to the NHS for staffing and other costs continue to be higher than ever before. Since 1980, the number of nursing staff has increased by 15.5 per cent., the number of hospital doctors by 21.5 per cent. and the number of general practitioners by 18.7 per cent.

Ms Squire

Does the Minister agree that the Government's market approach has led to rock bottom morale among NHS staff and a two-tier service for patients? Will he condemn the approaches made to consultants at Glasgow Royal Infirmary NHS trust to give preferential treatment to patients of GP fundholders? Will the Government, for once, stop telling fibs and admit that the NHS is certainly not safe in their hands? [Interruption.]

Madam Speaker

Order. The hon. Member for Lancaster (Dame E. Kellett-Bowman) seems to be a little perplexed. The Secretary of State used the word fib earlier in a similar context and I allowed it.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The hon. Lady can be assured that the health service is absolutely safe in the Government's hands. Expenditure has increased substantially. I can give her the reassurance that she seeks in relation to Glasgow. We are absolutely committed to treating all patients equally. All that matters is the recommendation of the clinician as to whether the patient requires urgent treatment. If he or she so recommends, the patient must receive it. The Scottish Office guidelines are clear. The same waiting time guarantee must apply to every patient. I understand that the trust accepted that it issued its questionnaire in error.

Mrs. Fyfe

Being guaranteed a maximum waiting time is not the same as being told that someone will not be put behind in a queue if a GP fundholder seeks priority. Has the Minister been in touch with Glasgow Royal Infirmary NHS trust today to tell it that it is out of line? If not, why not?

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

If the hon. Lady had listened to what I said, she would have heard that I was making it absolutely clear that we do not accept in any circumstances a two-tier health service. Every patient must receive the same priority according to the determination of the clinician concerned. That is stated in our guidelines and that position must be followed. The NHS trust admitted that its questionnaire was issued in error.

Mr. McAllion

If the Minister thinks that the Scottish Office guidelines are clear, he is the only one who does. Has he read the letter, issued on official notepaper bearing the crest of Glasgow Royal Infirmary NHS trust, in which the medical advisory committee states that it has agreed to take the opinion of all consultants on whether factors other than clinical need should significantly affect the handling of patient care? Does he understand the point that is made in the letter—that the pressure from his imposed internal market and from GP fundholders and other purchasers who are demanding significantly better treatment for their patients has led the trust to consider abandoning the principle of treatment in accordance with medical need? Will he send a clear instruction to every NHS trust in Scotland that patients can be treated in accordance with medical need, and only in accordance with medical need? If he will not do that, both he and the Secretary of State for Scotland should do what one of the Secretary of State's constituents—Mrs. Bowie—called on him to do today in the press and resign, because neither of them, nor any of the other chancers on the Government Front Bench, can be trusted with our NHS.

Hon. Members

Oh!

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Guidelines have been issued—[Interruption.] The position is absolutely clear—[Interruption.]

Madam Speaker

Order. Obviously I have missed something. Will the Under-Secretary of State tell me what he is shouting about?

Mr. Raymond S. Robertson

Is "chancers" parliamentary?

Madam Speaker

Chancers?

Mr. Robertson

The hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. McAllion) used the word "chancers".

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

rose—

Madam Speaker

Order. I did not hear what the hon. Member for Dundee, East said. If the hon. Gentleman said something that might have been unparliamentary, I expect him to develop the point that he made so that I understand completely what he said.

Mr. McAllion

Madam Speaker, I used a word from Glasgow patois—"chancer". It means that we do not really trust the person who is described as a chancer. I think that it is parliamentary.

Madam Speaker

I live and learn every day, especially from the Scots. Thank you very much.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

I can tell the hon. Gentleman that there is no element of chance about the fact that more than £30 million has been allocated to the NHS trust in the hon. Gentleman's constituency for an extension to Ninewells hospital. NHS trusts in Scotland represent a remarkable success story in helping to bring down waiting times. As for the Secretary of State's constituent, although because of confidentiality I cannot comment in detail, I understand that she wanted to be treated more quickly than would have been possible on the NHS. There is no reason to suppose that she would have had to wait longer than the guaranteed maximum period for patients. Only clinicians can judge individual need. NHS resources must be made available for those in greatest need.