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I have a very quick final question about the extra cost. What would you say to those people who are very concerned about the cost—full stop—given that there are lots of patient safety commissioners?

That is fantastic.

You said that you want the patient voice to be heard. I am fully aware that it is not intended that the patient safety commissioner will take up individual cases, and you made it clear that the commissioner will not be doing investigative work.

However, to pick up on Emma Harper’s questions, should the patient safety commissioner and their team listen to individual patients when they have a story to tell or something to talk about, in order to collate and catalogue each case and look for the golden thread?

Thank you.

My question is focused on the methodology. I am in no way trying to attack you; I am trying to ascertain how you got to where you got to. What was the ethnic minority and religious mix in your advisory group?

Just on that point, do you feel that our current culture is one in which there is blame, so people are a bit worried, and that the patient safety commissioner might help with that situation? Matthew McClelland, I direct that follow-up question to you, too. In previous committee meetings we have heard about cover-ups, with people being very worried and using Datix forms or the words, “I’m going to complain about you” as threats to get what they want. Do you feel that we have a culture of blame, which we need to move away from?

The NMC and the GMC both undertake investigations, which involve a very different skill to that of analysis, and can be resource heavy and difficult to do. Knowing how difficult it is to do investigations, do you feel that the patient safety commissioner should highlight areas of concern but use other agencies to carry out investigations, thus making resources go further?

Thank you for coming to the Scottish Parliament, Dr Hughes. My question is about individual cases. I know that you are not responsible for those, but does that lead to frustration with people who are contacting you?

I reiterate what I said about the previous petition. I think that we should also fold this petition into our potential look at rural healthcare.

I agree with what Gillian Mackay says about the other issues and about listening and talking to other ministers. As I said, when I was on my way down to Dumfries and Galloway, the roads were terrible. That would put people off going there and moving around. We should certainly ask the Minister for Transport about that.

Further, it is not possible for people to obtain housing in rural and island areas because it costs so much or it is just not available. Those are all factors when it comes to recruitment and retention.

The petition is focused on one particular area, but we know that there is an issue at Dr Gray’s hospital and that plenty of other rural areas have the same issue. Paul Sweeney said that we cannot always have an expert in a small village. However, experts could travel to different areas where they are needed, which would make it easier for people to get the help that they need. I would like expand our wider inquiry into rural health so that we could have an evidence session on maternal health in rural areas.

We heard from Dr Williams of the RCPG, who was on the previous panel, about the primary and secondary care interface. I think that that gap exists in all health services—it is not exclusive to Scotland; it is also in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Are you able to focus on and make contributions on that, or is it about finding the relevant person to pass concerns on to?