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At our meeting on 24 May, I asked Dr David Walsh whether, because we do not have overall powers over social security, taxation or employment in Scotland, it would make any difference if we had an overall strategy to reduce health inequalities. Dr Walsh replied that, if the aim was to narrow health inequalities across society, a strategy would be great but the relevant powers would also be required. Minister, what is your view of those comments?

My question is for Dr Cawston. Thank you for all the work that you have done in Drumchapel. I worked there many years ago and know the issues that you and your patients have to deal with. I am sure that they very much feel the benefit of your commitment.

I am interested in the internal NHS barriers that you said that patients have to navigate. How can we do better? What would you recommend?

We have heard from a lot of people who have given evidence that intersectionality is an issue and that they face multiple barriers because of it. What is being done to help in policy and practice terms?

In our evidence, we have heard a lot from people who are worried about the cost of living crisis and how they will pay their bills. It is a case of heating or eating. Obviously, a lot of people have switched off their heating at the moment, but they are worried about winter. Will Rishi Sunak’s cost of living payments help? Are people still in for a difficult winter? I put that question to Dr Wright.

I was interested in what Claire Sweeney said about the negative impact that the cost of living crisis is having on health outcomes. In your opinion, Claire, can the Scottish Government mitigate everything that is happening with the crisis? Will Scottish Government targets be affected? How are we tracking what is happening?

Thank you, David. Even if we had an overall strategy, if we did not have those devolved powers and Westminster does not look at austerity at an overall UK level, would we still struggle to get on top of inequalities?

I am really interested in what David Walsh had to say in his opening statement about how we deal with health inequalities. Given that we do not have overall powers for social security, taxation or employment, do you think that it would make any difference if we had an overall national strategy to reduce health inequalities?

How many people does the Scottish Government estimate could benefit from care where it is not in place now?

The Scottish Government published an analysis of stakeholders’ responses to the NCS consultation. That showed that 77 per cent of respondents felt that the main benefit of the national care service would be its taking responsibility for improvement across community health and care services, which would mean more consistent outcomes for people.

Minister, are you confident that there will be more consistent outcomes for people? Can that be achieved?

The Auditor General noted that reforming lines of accountability might encourage collaborative working across health boards. He also noted that individual accountable officers could be measured on

“the delivery of performance for their own organisation, as opposed to the delivery of wider outcomes.”—[Official Report, Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, 19 April 2022; c 23.]

Is that something that the Scottish Government is exploring?