Note: (DT) signifies a decision taken at Decision Time.
The meeting opened at 9.15 am.
1. Business Motion: David McLetchie, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-5231—That the Parliament agrees that, during Stage 3 of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Bill, debate on the group of amendments shall, subject to Rule 9.8.4A, be brought to a conclusion by the time limit indicated, that time limit being calculated from when the Stage begins and excluding any periods when other business is under consideration or when a meeting of the Parliament is suspended (other than a suspension following the first division in the Stage being called) or otherwise not in progress:
Group 1: 35 minutes.
The motion was agreed to.
2. Tackling Clostridium difficile: Jackie Baillie moved S3M-5221—That the Parliament commends all NHS staff for their efforts in the fight against Clostridium difficile; recognises that significant challenges remain in reducing the number of deaths from Clostridium difficile in all NHS board areas; calls on the Scottish Government to establish a more robust inspection regime that provides for an immediate inspection of any hospital at which there is an ongoing outbreak to provide advice and ensure that guidelines are properly followed; considers that the inspectors should have the power to close wards, or any other part of the NHS estate, that might contribute to the spread of infection; regrets the delay by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing in making matters public following the outbreak at Ninewells Hospital; believes that patients, relatives and the public have a key role to play in preventing the spread of Clostridium difficile, and further believes that there should be a single website, updated in real time, showing the performance of every hospital in Scotland and guidance provided to NHS boards on reporting outbreaks immediately.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing (Nicola Sturgeon) moved amendment S3M-5221.1 to motion S3M-5221—
Leave out from "commends" to end and insert—
"agrees that tackling Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) must continue to be a top priority for the Scottish Government; notes the range of actions that are now in place to drive down infections, backed by an investment in excess of £50 million; welcomes the establishment of an independent Healthcare Environment Inspectorate that has begun its programme of announced and unannounced visits to all acute hospitals over the next three years; acknowledges that the establishment of a public inquiry into the events at the Vale of Leven Hospital last year will ensure that any additional actions are identified to help prevent such a tragedy happening again; further acknowledges that the HAI Taskforce has fully considered the Labour Party 15-point action plan and has agreed to further consider those measures not already included in its current three-year work programme; recognises the progress that has been made on a national staff uniform for NHS Scotland; further notes that the Scottish Government has agreed to pilot approaches to electronic bed management and tracking infections and will fully evaluate these pilots and take whatever action is appropriate, and further notes that the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing will continue to ensure that systems and processes for the notification and management of outbreaks are improved in light of experience."
Ross Finnie moved amendment S3M-5221.1.1 to amendment S3M-5221.1—
Insert at end—
", and calls on the Scottish Government to review the remit of the public inquiry currently being conducted by Lord MacLean so as to require that inquiry to consider the circumstances of other cases of Clostridium difficile in hospitals across Scotland to verify that the measures taken by the Scottish Government are sufficient to meet the needs of all Scottish hospitals."
After debate, amendment S3M-5221.1.1 was disagreed to ((DT) by division: For 59, Against 61, Abstentions 0).
Amendment S3M-5221.1 was agreed to ((DT) by division: For 77, Against 43, Abstentions 0).
The motion, as amended, was then agreed to ((DT) by division: For 77, Against 43, Abstentions 0).
Accordingly the Parliament resolved—That the Parliament agrees that tackling Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) must continue to be a top priority for the Scottish Government; notes the range of actions that are now in place to drive down infections, backed by an investment in excess of £50 million; welcomes the establishment of an independent Healthcare Environment Inspectorate that has begun its programme of announced and unannounced visits to all acute hospitals over the next three years; acknowledges that the establishment of a public inquiry into the events at the Vale of Leven Hospital last year will ensure that any additional actions are identified to help prevent such a tragedy happening again; further acknowledges that the HAI Taskforce has fully considered the Labour Party 15-point action plan and has agreed to further consider those measures not already included in its current three-year work programme; recognises the progress that has been made on a national staff uniform for NHS Scotland; further notes that the Scottish Government has agreed to pilot approaches to electronic bed management and tracking infections and will fully evaluate these pilots and take whatever action is appropriate, and further notes that the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing will continue to ensure that systems and processes for the notification and management of outbreaks are improved in light of experience.
3. General Question Time: Questions were answered by Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers.
4. First Minister’s Question Time: Questions were answered by the First Minister (Alex Salmond).
5. Themed Question Time: Questions on Finance and Sustainable Growth were answered by the Cabinet Secretary and Ministers.
6. Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Bill – Stage 3: The Bill was considered at Stage 3.
The following amendments were agreed to (without division): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
Amendment 13 (and as a consequence amendment 13A) was not moved.
7. Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Bill: The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Fiona Hyslop) moved S3M-5175—That the Parliament agrees that the Schools Consultation (Scotland) Bill be passed.
After debate, the motion was agreed to (DT).
8. Substitution on Committees: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-5228—That the Parliament agrees that Sandra White be appointed to replace Jamie Hepburn as the Scottish National Party substitute on the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee.
The motion was agreed to (DT).
9. Decision Time: The Parliament took decisions on items 2, 7 and 8 as noted above.
10. Deafblind Scotland: The Parliament debated S3M-4738 in the name of Margaret Mitchell—That the Parliament welcomes the work of Deafblind Scotland, based in Lenzie, which seeks to enable Scots who are both deaf and blind to receive the support and recognition that they require to be equal citizens; notes with concern the difficulties faced by deafblind people in freely accessing public transport due to the varying restrictions placed by local authorities on concessionary travel for guide communicators who provide professional communication and guiding support, and believes that cooperation among all relevant bodies will ensure that deafblind citizens can enjoy full access to public transport.
The meeting closed at 5.43 pm.
P E Grice
Clerk of the Parliament
19 November 2009
Appendix
(Note: this Appendix does not form part of the Minutes)
Subordinate Legislation
Affirmative Instruments
The following instrument was laid in draft before the Parliament on 19 November 2009 for approval by resolution
The Crofting (Designation of Areas) (Scotland) Order 2010 (SSI 2010/draft)
laid under section 3A(13) of the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993
Committee Reports
The following report was published on 19 November 2009
Subordinate Legislation Committee, 47th Report, 2009 (Session 3): Subordinate Legislation (SP Paper 342)