Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)

Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Question reference: S3O-00163

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 May 2007
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 7 June 2007

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will implement a policy of presumption against the centralisation of core hospital services.

As I made clear in mystatement to Parliament yesterday, I will operate a presumption againstcentralisation of core services whenever NHS boards bring forward proposals forsignificant service changes.

That does not mean no changein any circumstances. However, it does mean that any proposals will have to berobust, that the alternatives will have to be properly considered, and that dueweight must be given to public opinion. To ensure this is the case, I have decidedthat all future significant service change proposals should be subject toindependent scrutiny.

I will make a furtherannouncement soon about the form of independent scrutiny that will apply to futureservice change proposals.

Question reference: S3W-00225

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 May 2007
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 4 June 2007

To ask the Scottish Executive when the consultations on maternity services and laboratories by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will take place and whether the Executive will ensure that the status quo for services is one of the options available in the consultations.

NHS boards are required to consultthe public on proposals for significant changes to services. It is for NHS GreaterGlasgow and Clyde to decide on the timing of consultation on any proposals for changeto the delivery of maternity services within the Clyde area. I have made clear thatI will introduce a process of independent scrutiny of boards’ proposals before theseare consulted on publicly. The scrutiny stage would review the range of optionsto be consulted on. I am currently considering how independent scrutiny will beundertaken and will make an announcement soon.

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