The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 1019 contributions
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 24 January 2023
Dr. Sandesh Gulhane
When I went to the Royal Highland Show, some of the producers told me that, through their work, they can tell exactly what is in the mince and where it has come from, which is quite incredible.
I am not sure whether you will be able answer my last question, but I want to ask it. Along with food safety, food security is important. With the war in Ukraine and possible future conflicts on the horizon, I am incredibly concerned about whether we can ensure food security in Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom. Is that an area that you are working on? Can you ensure that food security?
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 17 January 2023
Dr. Sandesh Gulhane
In that answer, we are also missing the fact that vacancies are on an upward trend. If we look at AHP vacancies, we can see that there are 1,252 whole-time equivalents required. If we look at medical and dental, we see a requirement for 392 WTEs and nursing and midwifery require 6,319 WTEs. That was an upward trend from before the cuts. My real concern is that we will see rural and deprived areas really struggle when it comes to primary care services. That will affect people in those areas more than it will affect people in the central belt. I am not hearing a solution that will help.
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 17 January 2023
Dr. Sandesh Gulhane
Have you ever personally driven the A96 between Elgin and Aberdeen?
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 17 January 2023
Dr. Sandesh Gulhane
I have done it as well. I did it on a sunny day, but imagine that it is winter, cold and dark and that your pregnant partner is in the back of the car screaming because it is time to go to hospital because your baby is due. Is that a position that we want anyone to be in because the consultant-led maternity service at Dr Gray’s hospital is no longer running? Is it safe? We have many times been told that people have given birth in laybys.
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 17 January 2023
Dr. Sandesh Gulhane
Scottish Conservatives have, through a freedom of information request, discovered that people are waiting a long time for diagnostic tests. Why is that relevant to rural areas? Well, in NHS Grampian, there is a five-year wait, and in NHS Tayside, there is a four-year wait. Why is there such a bottleneck in radiology and diagnostic testing, as we know has been the case for a long time? What have you done, and what are you doing, about it?
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 17 January 2023
Dr. Sandesh Gulhane
I have a number of questions to ask, cabinet secretary, but, first, I will pick up on something that you said to me earlier. You mentioned that your budget was worth £650 million less. You have said that in the media and in the chamber. How did you arrive at that figure? Are you happy and confident that it is correct?
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 17 January 2023
Dr. Sandesh Gulhane
I have a question about accessibility of services. The Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Act 2022 was passed unanimously. What progress have we had for women in rural areas—also for those throughout the country, but the focus today is on rural areas—who want to get their service from Glasgow, somewhere else in the UK or the United States? Where are we in that process?
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 17 January 2023
Dr. Sandesh Gulhane
I have heard a lot about recruitment and retention, and staff, and those issues are all very important when it comes to our rural areas. However, I would like to know the impact of the £65 million cut to the GP budget, and how it affects primary care in rural areas, which are already struggling more than places in the central belt.
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 10 January 2023
Dr. Sandesh Gulhane
Cabinet secretary, I am sure that you are aware that around 85 per cent of all patient contact is in primary care. During the Christmas break, I worked as an NHS GP around different parts of the country. They are all struggling with demand, and allied healthcare professionals are vital in helping to cope. Due to the £65 million cut to primary care budgets, these additional, valued staff are at risk. Do you think GP services will be financially stable going forward?
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 10 January 2023
Dr. Sandesh Gulhane
To what timescale will that happen?