MSPs vote to end 'NHS secrecy'

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SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson says given the debate is about the very old, indeed prehistoric art, it is appropriate the four oldest members of the parliament are all present in the chamber!

Mr Stevenson welcomes all the young people to the gallery, saying the Cochno stone is an important part of their history, but also their future.

Closing the debate, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop says the Cochno Stone is one of the most extensive neolithic rock art sites in Europe.

The minister praises Dr Kenny Brophy and his team for their work and particularly in reaching out to schools to tell the story of the Cochno Stone.

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SNP MSP Gil Paterson says the Cochno Stone is the most important such prehistoric art in Europe.

Are the markings on it good old fashioned graffiti? He hopes not.

He tells the chamber about how China deals with such artifacts, which is to make a tourist attraction out of them.

The Cochno Stone is buried to protect it right now, he says, and reckons there are 10 square miles containing other artifacts.

"We are just scratching the surface" he says, and hopes we can follow China is displaying such prehistoric art.

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A prehistoric stone panel said to be the "most important in Europe" is being unearthed for the first time in more than 50 years in Clydebank.

The Cochno Stone dates to 3000BC and is described as one of the best examples of Neolithic or Bronze Age cup and ring markings in Europe.

Located next to a housing estate, the stone was buried in 1965 to protect it from damage.

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The Cochno Stone and the Social Value of Scotland's Prehistoric Rock Art.

Clydebank MSP Gil Paterson would like to highlight the work done to uncover the ancient Cochno Stone, which contains prehistoric carvings.

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Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh says someone was confused about shouting out "no" there, as all 120 MSPs have voted to back the Tory amendment.

The Labour motion, as amended by the Tories, is passed, with 62 MSPs backing it and 58.

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Labour MSP Sarah Boyack says it is the job of an MSP to represent their constituents, going on to praise the fantastic work of the NHS workforce.

However Ms Boyack points out that it is also the job of those in the chamber to highlight where there are issues in the NHS.

"It's about standing up for our NHS by making sure it is as good as it can be."

The Labour MSP says that the fact that six of the mainland health boards are in special measures is not acceptable, adding that backbenchers should hold their government to account.

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Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey accepts there are areas that need to improve but criticises opposition MSPs for time after time praising NHS staff and then criticising their performance.

In an angry contribution, the former NHS nurse says that to hear the phrase 'medical mafia' from the Labour frontbench is truly shocking.

The rhetoric from this place demoralises NHS staff, she says, adding she will now "calm down her anger" about some of what has been said in this debate.

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Tory MSP Brian Whittle says there is no lack of people who want to train to be a midwife in Scotland, saying there is a chronic lack of training places.

The Scottish government should stop hiding behind Brexit, he adds.

The health secretary intervenes, saying the SNP has increased training places.

Mr Whittle says they're getting £700m in Barnett consequentials from the Conservative UK government.

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The SNP's Gillian Martin tells the chamber that she can't take the Tory benches seriously when it comes to the NHS.

Westminster polices on pensions and immigration - as well as austerity and Brexit - are affecting the health service in Scotland, she says.

She highlights a funding increase in the Scottish budget, says staffing levels are at a record high, and says nursing bursaries have been protected here.

We do need to improve on waiting times, she admits.

Ms Martin then lists NHS improvements that the SNP government has made since coming to power, including a mental health centre in her constituency.

Opposition parties should come up with solutions, she concludes, instead of "carping from the sidelines."

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Plans to increase staffing levels to deal with growing demands in health and social care have been outlined by the Scottish government.

It will recruit 375 district nurses by 2024 in a bid to boost the amount of people receiving care at home.

The plan includes more specialist physiotherapists and pharmacists and a new service for stroke patients.

It will also feature extra mental health officers and more training places for clinical psychologists.

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Anas Sarwar tells the chamber: "It is very clear now, all is not well with our NHS, and we do have systemic problems."

The Labour MSP says two thirds of Scotland's population live in a health board area now under special measures.

He turns to the leadership of the board in Glasgow and at the QEUH, asking: "What will it take for them to be removed?"

"They are responsible for cover ups, for lies, for misinformation, patient deaths, but still in place."

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NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) has confirmed it has passed details of its investigation into the death of 10-year-old Milly Main to the procurator fiscal.

Milly Main contracted an infection at Glasgow's super-hospital, after a successful stem cell transplant in July 2017 while she was in remission from leukaemia.

Mr Sarwar says: "I will not stop until Milly Main's parents get the justice they deserve."

He calls for the removal of the leadership of what he regards as a "crime scene".

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Later in the debate, Shettleston SNP MSP John Mason says events at the Queen Elizabeth University hospital in Glasgow are not scandalous.

"Infections and deaths have always happened in hospitals, but rates are improving."

In response to the speech from Anas Sarwar, Mr Mason says "to talk about a crime scene is absolutely ridiculous, outrageous and totally undermines the NHS".

Campaigners have warned that child mental health services in Scotland are "cracking at the seams".

The Scottish Children's Services Coalition says research suggests 10% of five to 16-year-olds have a clinically-diagnosable mental health problem.

But they say spending from the NHS budget in services is equivalent to just 50p in every £100 spent.

The Scottish government says it is investing in services and guidance has been issued to health boards.

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Mr Cole Hamilton says we need to value social care workers more and pay them well, and then maybe those who are fit to leave hospital would have the care they need in the community.

He says GP surgeries are groaning under the weight of patient lists because of new house building in Edinburgh, with many closing their lists as a result.

"Let's not waste £1.4m a month on a hospital that's sitting empty" he adds, referring to the new Sick Kids' building.

This government has its fingers in its ears, he concludes, when it comes to Edinburgh's new children's hospital.

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Alex Cole Hamilton starts the Liberal Democrat response by saying the NHS has saved the lives of two of his three children at different times.

There are warning lights on across the dashboard of the NHS, he continues, with many patients missing target waiting times despite the appointment letters telling them of their right to be seen in 12 weeks.

The referral system belongs in the 1970s, he says, with letters sometimes sitting on a dictaphone for two months before being typed up.