Summary

  • The Education Committee continues its inquiry on attainment and child poverty

  • Hepatitis C is the focus of a lunchtime members' debate

  • Health and sport ministers are quizzed in portfolio questions

  • Scottish Labour leads a debate on the NHS Tayside mental health inquiry and waiting times

  • Ending the day is a members' debate on road conditions

  1. Inquiry will start to rebuild trust in mental health services says Labour MSPpublished at 15:53 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    Ms Fee

    Ms Fee says the families have been demanding answers for far too long.

    David Ramsay's niece and father should not have to travel to parliament to be listened to, she insists.

    The Labour MSP speaks about the case of Lee Walsh, who died of suicide last year after suffering mental health problems for nine years.

    Turning to the Scottish government amendment, Ms Fee says the inquiry must include the families, and must be independent, open and transparent.

    This will be a start in rebuilding trust in mental health services, she concludes.

  2. Postpublished at 15:51 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

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  3. Labour MSP adds her praise of the Lost Souls of Dundee for their effortspublished at 15:50 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    Labour MSP Mary FeeImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Labour MSP Mary Fee

    Labour MSP Mary Fee begins by thanking the families and campaigners at the heart of this debate, saying their dedication will help save lives.

    Ms Fee states this has been a very powerful debate.

    The govenment amendment shows it has listened to the campaigners, she adds.

    The Labour MSP adds her praise of the Lost Souls of Dundee for their efforts.

  4. Health secretary confirms inquiry chair will be 'truly independent'published at 15:48 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    Ms Robison

    Labour MSP Anas Sarwar intervenes seeking confirmation that the chair of the inquiry will be "truly independent" and not employed by NHS Tayside or even wider NHS Scotland.

    The health secretary accepts this is important before adding the inquiry chair must also inspire confidence in the families.

    On the recruitment and retention of mental health staff, Ms Robison says the inquiry will be a "force for good" in helping bring more staff to the health board.

    The most important thing is that families in the gallery leave today assured that we are agreed that the inquiry will lead to answers and make NHS Tayside's services some of the best, the minister concludes.

  5. Families must be involved in independent inquiry from the start says Robisonpublished at 15:45 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    Lost Souls of Dundee and family members in galleryImage source, bbc

    Health Secretary Shona Robison welcomes the families to the gallery and thanks them for getting us to this point.

    Ms Robison says the new NHS team at NHS Tayside have listened to the families and have responded via the announcement from the new chair.

    The health secretary said it would have been wrong for the inquiry to focus purely on Carseview and it is quite right the inquiry looks across the whole of Tayside.

    Ms Robison says right from the independent inquiry must have the confidence of the families and they should be involved right from the start.

    The health secretary says the chair of NHS Tayside agrees about family involvement in the inquiry being crucial.

  6. Background: Suicide prevention 'not a top priority' in Scotlandpublished at 15:44 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    Depressed manImage source, Getty images

    A leading charity dealing with suicide prevention has said the Scottish government is not treating the issue as a top priority.

    The Samaritans commissioned a poll which indicated 61% of people in Scotland have been affected by suicide.

    Almost 40% of those taking part said they would not know who to turn to if they were supporting someone in crisis.

    The Scottish government is drawing up a new prevention plan and said it was spending over £1bn on mental health.

    Read more here.

  7. 'Worrying lack of detail' in draft suicide prevent plan says Tory MSPpublished at 15:42 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    Tory MSP Annie Wells
    Image caption,

    Tory MSP Annie Wells

    Tory MSP Annie Wells welcomes the fact the inquiry will cover all of NHS Tayside and all services.

    Across Scotland, mental health services are being pushed to their limit, demonstrated by missed waiting time targets, Ms Wells suggests.

    The Tory MSP notes the draft of the suicide prevention plan was met with concern by stakeholders and adds that there was a "worrying lack of detail".

    The problems in NHS Tayside highlight we are not disciplined in tackling mental health, she says.

  8. Background: Suicides in Tayisdepublished at 15:38 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    Suicides in Tayside
  9. Families have a right to expect highest standard of care says Tory MSPpublished at 15:38 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    Tory MSP Liz Smith
    Image caption,

    Tory MSP Liz Smith

    Tory MSP Liz Smith says it is every families' right to expect the highest standard of care when it comes to mental health.

    There are 21 locums in place at NHS Tayside, which not only comes with additional cost but also results in patients having to tell their stories over and over again, she states.

    Mental health work comes with considerable paperwork which reduces the time professionals can spend with patients, Ms Smith notes.

    She suggests this is reason to accelerate technology improvements.

  10. SUMMARY: Five principles for inquiry called for by Labourpublished at 15:36 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    Here again are the five principles Labour MSP Anas Sarwar called for in NHS Tayside mental health services inquiry:

    • it must have a genuinely independent Chair – there are clear trust issues with NHS Tayside
    • it must include the families in the process of agreeing the terms of reference
    • it must ensure that the families are part of the process of the inquiry and feel included throughout
    • the inquiry must bee open and transparent
    • it must include a public call for evidence

    The health secretary agreed with all of these.

  11. Background: Minister apologies to Gillian Murraypublished at 15:34 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    Public Health Minister Maureen Watt has written to Gillian Murray, the neice of the late David Ramsay, to offer her "sincerest apologies" for the way some of the correspondence between her and the Scottish government had been handled.

    Ms Watt said a response she had sent to Ms Murray in April was sent to a mistyped email address - meaning Ms Murray did not receive it.

    Ms Murray - a former SNP member who said she had left the party over its "failure" to help with her uncle's case - has also been invited to meet Ms Watt, Ms Robison or the first minister "at a time and date of Ms Murray's convenience."

    Gillian Murray has been campaigning for a public inquiry into mental health services in NHS TaysideImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Gillian Murray has been campaigning for a public inquiry into mental health services in NHS Tayside

    Responding to the announcement of the review, Ms Murray tweeted that it was a "welcome first step but certainly not the end of the road" and said the family would continue to demand a full public inquiry into mental health services in Tayside.

    Speaking on Thursday, she had accused the Scottish government of ignoring the family's concerns - which was strongly denied by the first minister.

    And she said her uncle had "needed that little bit of help" but had been "turned away", with the hospital "passing the buck to the family".

    Ms Murray added: "It could happen to anyone - it could be me or you who needs that little bit of help, and he was turned away.

    "I was having to Google how to look after a suicidal individual, how to look after somebody with psychosis. That shouldn't have been left to us."

    She also said resigning would be the "honourable thing" for Ms Robison to do.

  12. SNP MSP says if people have courage to come forward they must be listened topublished at 15:32 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    SNP MSP Ash DenhamImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    SNP MSP Ash Denham

    SNP MSP Ash Denham agrees with a number of things in the Labour motion, namely that if people are struggling to access services it must be addressed.

    Ms Denham says if people do have the courage to come forward they must be listened to.

    The SNP MSP welcomes the independent inquiry announced by NHS Tayside.

    She adds: "There shouldn't be stigma talking about mental health or suicide."

    She states: "The new action plan is key."

  13. 'Mental health is a human crisis for the city of Dundee'published at 15:28 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    Labour MSP Jenny Marra
    Image caption,

    Labour MSP Jenny Marra

    "Mental health is a human crisis for the city of Dundee," begins Labour MSP Jenny Marra.

    She says she has been repeatedly approached by parents of children who have taken their lives, asking why they had been turned away from Carseview or not been able to access any services.

    The North East MSP says she visited the Carseview Centre in 2016 after calling for a review

    "The presentation I received was possibly one of the most defensive accounts of public services i have ever heard".

    In April, Ms Marra says she asked the new chair of NHS Tayside to prioritise two issues: mental health provision and deaths from drugs.

    She describes being "relieved" that an inquiry will now be taken forward.

    "I had raised these issues time and time again with NHS Tayside. And if I feel powerful, I can only imagine how the families feel."

    Ms Marra says early intervention in mental health is poor in Dundee and argues the government has a "moral duty" to prevent suicide.

  14. Background: Scottish Labour call for public inquirypublished at 15:26 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    Last Thursday, during FMQs, Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonared renewed calls for a public inquiry into mental health services at NHS Tayside, accusing the government of silence over the issue.

    Mr Leonard raised the case of David Ramsay, who took his life in 2016 at the age of 50, during first minister's questions at Holyrood.

    Mr Ramsay killed himself four days after he was twice rejected for treatment at the Carseview psychiatric unit at Ninewells in Dundee.

    Scottish Labour leader Richard LeonardImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard

    Mr Ramsay family has been campaigning for a public inquiry into services at NHS Tayside and were present in the Holyrood chamber.

    Ms Sturgeon said her "deep condolences" went out to Mr Ramsay's family and that the government had been in contact with them.

    On the individual case, she said it would be up to the law officers to order a fatal accident inquiry.

    Since last Thursday NHS Tayside have ordered an independent inquiry into Carseview psychiatric unit.

  15. Lib Dem MSP pays warm tribute to the Lost Souls Group in the gallerypublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton welcomes the measured tone in this debate.

    Mr Cole-Hamilton also thanks David Ramsay's family and the other members of the Lost Souls Group.

    Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-HamiltonImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton

    Mr Hamilton explains last week's FMQs' question from Richard Leonard was one of those pin drop moments and he commends the Scottish Labour leader.

    The Lib Dem MSP argues that there is an increase in suicide.

    He highlights concerns about the 18 month delay in the suicide strategy and the fact the draft has been met with derision from Samaritins and SAMH.

    Mr Cole-Hamilton calls for all MSPs to ensure that David Ramsay leaves a lasting legacy.

  16. Background: Suicide in Taysidepublished at 15:23 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    Suicide in TaysideImage source, BBC/SPL
  17. Inquiry must 'begin and end with family involvement'published at 15:21 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    Green MSP Alison Johnstone says there are times when vulnerable people reach out but do not receive help.

    "That should never happen."

    Ms Johnstone says it is right that NHS Tayside has launched an inquiry but adds her voice to calls for it to be independent.

    Green MSP Alison Johnstone
    Image caption,

    Green MSP Alison Johnstone

    The Green MSP asks what the Scottish government is doing to support the recruitment and retention of clinical psychologists in Tayside.

    She describes missed waiting times targets on mental health as "shameful".

    The importance of improving community services is clear, Ms Johnstone argues.

    She also calls for multi-agency reviews in all suicides.

    "Any inquiry must be as wide in scope as necessary and must begin and end with family involvement."

  18. Background: Inquiry into Carseviewpublished at 15:19 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    Carseview Centre in DundeeImage source, Google
    Image caption,

    Carseview Centre in Dundee

    NHS Tayside chairman John Brown said the "independent assurance report" would examine "how services are delivered at Carseview to address the concerns of some families who have been speaking out about their experiences of mental health services at the centre."

    The health board will take advice from the Mental Welfare Commission on which experts should be tasked with carrying out the work.

    As part of the review, they will speak to patients at the centre and their families.

    Mr Brown added: "If the report highlights any areas for improvement, or flags up issues where we can learn lessons, we will make any changes required immediately."

  19. Here is the Tory amendmentpublished at 15:17 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    Tory amendmentImage source, Scottish Parliament
  20. Tory MSP calls for wider inquiry across NHS Taysidepublished at 15:15 British Summer Time 9 May 2018

    Tory MSP Miles BriggsImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Tory MSP Miles Briggs

    Tory MSP Miles Briggs pays tribute to the families in the gallery and condemns the personal attacks they have faced which he says are shocking.

    Mr Briggs pays personal tribute to Gillian Murray.

    He explains the NHS Tayside review announced is not acceptable and a wider inquiry is needed.

    Mr Briggs states a wider inquiry across NHS Tayside is required to restore faith in the health service there.