Neil Gray
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“I welcome the fact that, through the police and the courts, our justice system is ensuring that justice is done. Victims show enormous bravery and trust in our legal system in reporting crime, and I want that to continue.”
“The Scottish Government-funded Caledonian system is a good example of a community-based programme that aims to address the behaviour of men who have been convicted of domestic abuse, alongside providing support to affected women and children.”
“On the day after my appointment as justice secretary, I visited HMP Edinburgh to see the level of pressure that the Scottish Prison Service is facing due to an increasing prison population. It is clear that staff want to focus on rehabilitation and reducing reoffending but that it is increasingly difficult for them to do so.”
“Scotland shows a clear and persistent trend of increasing the length of average custodial sentences, including a 37 per cent rise between 2014-15 and 2023-24.”
“However, although the operational impact that will result from the changes is expected to be minimal, I still advise the Parliament to give legislative consent to the relevant sections of the bill.”
“I note my thanks and appreciation to the Parliament for expediting consideration of this legislative consent motion. It is regrettable that we are having to expedite scrutiny on an LCM, which is due to the UK Government’s timetabling for the National Security (State Threats) Bill.”
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“Gillian Mackay: Giving evidence to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, the chief medical officer stated: “Our prevention agenda is one of the most important things that we can try to do nationally to ensure that we have a sustainable health and care system for the future.”— [Official Report, Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, 10 February 2026; c 5.] It is clear that we need to do more on prevention to keep people well and, over time, to reduce the burden on the national health service. When will we see comprehensive bans on marketing of alcohol, foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar, and vaping? Neil Gray: I agree with the chief medical officer and with Gillian Mackay in her assessment of the need to ensure that we move to a more preventative upstream approach.”
“The population health framework sets out a range of actions to tackle the drivers of ill health, including harms caused by alcohol, tobacco and vapes, overweight and obesity, and gambling. Legislation to restrict the promotion of less healthy food and drink comes into force later this year, and the Scottish Government is supporting the delivery of the four- nations Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to create the first smoke-free generation. In the coming weeks, an alcohol and drugs strategic plan will be published to take forward the learning in the delivery of the national mission. An alcohol harm prevention plan and a diet and healthy weight plan will be published later in 2026 and will set out key actions in those areas to improve population health.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect on my phone. I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you. I will ensure that that is recorded.”
“That is why I am pleased that he has engaged so constructively with the reform documents that we set out last year. The population health framework, the operational improvement plan and the service delivery framework are all geared towards ensuring that we optimise the resource and capacity in the system and that we reduce demand, led in particular by the population health framework, a great deal of which Mr Whittle and I agree on—for example, the opportunity to prevent ill health and its escalation, through physical activity. There are a number of aspects in train in that reform and improvement journey arising from strategies that the Government has already published and is determined to deliver on.”
“We have 14 health boards, 32 councils and 30 integration joint boards, which are supposed to be there to deliver healthcare, and yet we continue to see a slide in our health service in this country. When will the Scottish Government recognise the need for a joined-up, revolutionary approach to healthcare that will include the deployment of significant healthcare and a reduction in the number of people who come to the front door of our healthcare services? Neil Gray: Mr Whittle makes a fair point in that we have—as he said—provided record funding and record staffing levels in the national health service, but that is meeting with escalating demand. He is right, therefore, that we need to point to reform and improvement to ensure that we have a sustainable health service going forward.”
“I recognise that, when there is the perception of negative implications of a board’s position, that has a substantial impact on staff, particularly with regard to the increased frustrations that may be brought to bear on them in their front-line service delivery. Mr Whittle’s recognition of that is welcome. We have support in place for staff who are going through such processes. I have confidence that Gordon James is ensuring that he and his leadership team are visible and providing leadership locally, and that staff are getting the requisite support that they need at this time. Brian Whittle: We knew that the decision was coming. The Scottish Government is very keen on telling us about its record investment in the health service and the record numbers of nurses, doctors and consultants, yet the outcomes continue to slide.”
“I have a great deal of confidence in the interim chief executive, Gordon James, and his leadership team, and we will work closely with them over the coming months to return the health board to a sustainable financial footing. Brian Whittle: One of the things that we may not consider when something like this happens is the impact on staff with regard to their morale and how the decision impacts their day-to-day work. I know that meetings have been held, but the staff are still no further forward in their understanding of the position. What more can the Scottish Government do to ensure that the staff are reassured? Neil Gray: I am very grateful to Mr Whittle for raising that point, which I understand; I place a lot of importance on that aspect.”
“As notified to Parliament on Friday through a Government-initiated question, the decision was made by Government, following careful consideration of NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s position, for the board to be escalated to stage 4 of the NHS Scotland support and intervention framework, for finance, specifically with regard to financial sustainability; financial management and control; and financial governance and leadership. The move to stage 4 provides NHS Ayrshire and Arran with support to improve financial sustainability. That will include a Scottish Government-led assurance board, chaired by a Scottish Government director, which will oversee progress and report to the chief operating officer and the director general to monitor improvements against key challenges.”
“The group will, as highlighted in the Government’s amendment to the motion, also look at the wider issues of the built environment and validation that are of interest to Labour’s motion. It is right that I allow the group to undertake that work free from ministerial interference. Indeed, if I was seeking to direct the group’s findings, I am sure that some of the very same members who are speaking about accountability and transparency would have choice words for me.”
“I place on record my heartfelt thanks to all staff, no matter their role, as they all contribute to the excellent service. I also recognise the fact that the new leadership of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has committed to rebuilding trust and public confidence. The new safety and public confidence oversight group that I announced last week will be vital in that respect, and I am delighted that the group will be co-chaired by Sir Lewis Ritchie. I met Sir Lewis yesterday and I am assured that he will provide robust and independent scrutiny of the issues. That is why I cannot support the Tories’ amendment to the motion, which seeks to ignore the fact that the group will have important independent and external oversight.”
“I cannot begin to imagine the pain and hurt that is felt by all those who have lost a loved one but who have so bravely and candidly participated in the Scottish hospitals inquiry. It is absolutely vital that Lord Brodie, as chair of the inquiry, be given the necessary space and time to come to his own conclusions for families without political interference. I again reiterate that important point to colleagues. I also reiterate that the Government will not comment on the live police inquiry, nor seek to speculate on Lord Brodie’s conclusions, regardless of colleagues’ appetite for me to do so. Turning to the substance of Labour’s motion, I echo its recognition of the safe and expert care that is carried out at the Queen Elizabeth university hospital.”
“It is right that I take the opportunity to recognise her leadership, and my thoughts are very much with her beloved Susan, their families and friends, and all the many people who loved Jeane. Jeane was driven in all that she did by a sense of justice and the need to fight for a fairer Scotland. She wanted to get to the truth for patients, whistleblowers and families as she recognised that they had been let down—that is what she said in September last year. Again, that is why I bring the debate back to the people who are at the heart of the inquiry. It was for them that the inquiry was established to interrogate decisions that were taken and the decision-making processes, to identify responsibility wherever it lies, and to shine a light where answers were lacking, so that they could get the justice that they deserve.”
“Indeed, the body NHS Scotland Assure was established in 2021 for that very purpose—a fact that is mentioned in the Government’s amendment to the motion. This is the first time that I have had the opportunity to place on record in the Parliament my sincere sadness that we lost Jeane Freeman at the weekend. Jeane was a force of nature in the best possible way. She was incredibly intelligent, loyal and generous with her time, support and kindness. She was a force for good, and encouraged us all to be better. I know that the Parliament will have the opportunity to properly remember Jeane, but I also know how much the subject of the debate propelled her to put into force the changes that have strengthened the safety of our hospitals.”
“I begin by offering my heartfelt condolences to all the families who have been impacted by the issues that are being considered by the Scottish hospitals inquiry. Patients and families deserve answers, and I believe that, through Lord Brodie’s inquiry, that is what they will get. Like Mr Sarwar, I am also reminded of the fact that our then Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Jeane Freeman, took the important steps to get to where we are today. It was Jeane who first took forward the concerns of families and whistleblowers, first instigating the independent review and, thereafter, the Scottish hospitals inquiry in 2019. It was also Jeane, in her time as cabinet secretary, who took the initial steps to ensure that a future body would be set up to assure the safety and risk management of NHS sites.”
“Neil Gray: We have shared our concerns on this important issue directly with the UK Government and the other devolved Governments for some time. We continue to discuss with them how best we can all protect public safety, given the implications that Evelyn Tweed raises. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes portfolio questions on health and social care. There will be a short pause before we move on to the next item of business to allow front-bench teams to change positions. Queen Elizabeth University Hospital”
“The Scottish Government has not undertaken an assessment of the impact on NHS Scotland of complications arising from surgeries abroad. NHS Scotland provides emergency care based on patient need, regardless of where previous treatment was received. If complications from procedures undertaken abroad require national health service treatment, information on whether prior surgery was undertaken abroad is not routinely nor systematically recorded, so the impact cannot be quantified. The Scottish Government encourages patients to consider the risks of treatment abroad and to ensure that aftercare arrangements are in place. Evelyn Tweed: Further to that, has there been any engagement with United Kingdom counterparts regarding improving public awareness of the risks of travelling abroad for surgery?”
“We are seeking to overcome those challenges on a consistent, national and universal basis, so that the lung screening programme that we have committed to is up and running as quickly as possible. I give Graham Simpson the assurance that I gave at a recent cancer conference: we are looking at every possible step to expedite a universal lung screening programme in Scotland, for the very reason that Graham Simpson has outlined, which is that it absolutely can save lives. Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership 5.”
“Graham Simpson: Waiting times for the most serious cancer cases could be reduced if we caught people early. That is why we need a national screening programme for lung cancer, not the pilots that the Scottish Government has promised. In England, screening is available to people aged between 55 and 74 who have ever smoked, and 77 per cent of lung cancer cases are now diagnosed at stage 1 or 2, compared with stage 4 in Scotland. Screening saves lives and money, and I want it to happen throughout Scotland. When will we get a national lung cancer screening programme here? Neil Gray: I recognise that some progress has been made on a lung screening programme in England. The programme is not consistent or universal, because there are challenges in standing it up.”
“The performance for the 31-day standard is 95.1 per cent, which is above the 95 per cent target, with the median wait for treatment being just two days. We are investing £14.24 million of the £137 million of planned care funding that was made available in 2025-26 directly in efforts to reduce cancer waiting times, supported by increasing radiology capacity to support seven-day working, and by publishing and implementing optimal diagnostic pathways for lung, head and neck and colorectal cancers, with a total of almost £7.5 million of investment to ensure that patients have cancer ruled in or out faster. We have also established the six rapid cancer diagnostic services, which help us to more quickly find the hardest-to-spot cancers in particular.”
“That is why our budget includes a record £22.5 billion for health and social care, and why we are working closely with boards to increase and optimise capacity and efficiency and improve productivity to ensure that patients receive the care that they need as soon as possible. In 2026-27, we have commissioned more than 50,000 diagnostic tests and procedures through our national treatment centres and the Golden Jubilee university hospital in 2026-27.”
“Perhaps Jackie Dunbar and I should communicate with each other more often. It is always good to tell people good news more than once, so can the cabinet secretary advise how the Scottish Government will continue to drive down those waiting times? Neil Gray: I remember the former Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, saying that repetition is not a novelty in politics, and George Adam is certainly living up to that today. This year, we have provided more than £135.5 million to reduce waiting times, with a further £20 million allocated in the last quarter to support boards in targeting specialties with the longest waits. I want to maintain that momentum and build on that progress.”
“The latest published statistics show the sustained progress that we are making in reducing waiting times, with long waits having been reduced for the seventh month in a row. In the 12 months to December 2025, 274,638 operations were performed, which represented a 5.6 per cent increase on the previous 12-month period. Between July and December 2025, new out-patient waits of more than 52 weeks reduced by 40.1 per cent. Long waits for in-patient and day- case procedures have fallen every month since July 2025, and waits of more than 52 weeks decreased by 23.9 per cent over that period. Those latest figures show that our plan is delivering for the people of Scotland, and I am committed to continuing to maintain momentum and building on that progress. George Adam: I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer.”
“Those services will allow people with minor, urgent, non-emergency needs to see a clinician the same day, without having to go through the 8 am rush for appointments. Staffed by GPs and advanced nurse practitioners, the services focus on minor urgent issues that cannot wait but do not require treatment at accident and emergency. They are not a replacement for someone’s own GP for issues such as long-term conditions—they complement existing practices. National Health Service (Waiting Times) 7.”
“Jackie Dunbar: It is welcome that the Scottish National Party Scottish Government has taken bold, decisive action on our NHS, which has resulted in waiting times coming down for a seventh month in a row, as he said, while waiting lists remain high in Labour-run NHS England. How will the Scottish Government continue to build on that success? I am thinking, in particular, of its investment in our innovative general practitioner walk-in centres. Neil Gray: Jackie Dunbar’s question is timely, especially the latter part of it, because today marks the opening of Scotland’s first GP walk-in service pilot, which is a milestone in improving access to care. As part of that £36 million pilot programme, 15 services will initially be rolled out across Scotland.”
“Through this year’s targeted investment in planned care, we have seen waits of more than 52 weeks reduce for seven consecutive months. I want to maintain momentum and build on that progress, which is why our draft budget for 2026-27 includes the record figure of almost £22.5 billion for health and social care. We will scale up productivity and efficiency programmes to create additional capacity. In addition, health boards have been directed to take forward a new collaborative subnational planning approach, which will involve boards working together to best use and optimise available capacity to ensure that patients receive the care that they need as soon as possible.”
“However, Tim Eagle will be aware that we have escalated NHS Grampian to level 4 because of its financial position and other elements of its performance. As part of that escalation process, we are looking at precisely the types of areas that Mr Eagle has suggested. I am confident in the progress that is being made under the new leadership of Laura Skaife-Knight, and I am confident that the assurance process is ensuring that the board’s general performance and its financial performance are improving. Budget 2026-27 (National Health Service Waiting Times) 3.”
“Dr Gray’s is regularly operating beyond funded bed numbers, which is putting more and more pressure on services. I understand that NHS Grampian currently has the lowest bed base in Scotland, at around 1.4 beds per 1,000 people. The long-term decline in capacity is contributing to pressures. Will the Government set out why, after another year has passed, bed capacity has still not been increased? What immediate steps will the Government take to ensure that patients are treated with dignity and that staff are supported with the resources that they need? Neil Gray: It is a statutory responsibility of NHS boards to plan, design and deliver healthcare services that meet the needs of the local population.”
“It is for national health service boards and their planning partners to design and deliver healthcare services that meet the needs of the local populations that they serve in a way that is consistent with national policies, frameworks and best practice. NHS Grampian is making good progress, under new leadership and its escalation improvement plan, to stabilise services and release capacity by improving hospital flow across its sites, not least through the Government’s additional investment in initiatives to effectively shift the balance of care, such as hospital at home, frailty services and discharge to assess. Tim Eagle: That answer was really just a case of passing the buck. The cabinet secretary must know that corridor care is now commonplace, and that that is having a massive effect on patients and staff.”
“That is the route through which the safest possible patient care will come through.”
“Why has no successive cabinet secretary taken that proposal forward in the past five years? Neil Gray: I am well aware of the work of the independent national whistleblowing officer, because I met the new incumbent of that post last week, and I have also met all the local whistleblowing champions. I take the culture of our NHS and social care services incredibly seriously. We must have a speak-up culture. We must support patients and staff to be able to speak up and comment on patient safety issues, and their concerns must be taken seriously. I have clearly put forward that I expect board chairs and chief executives to follow that approach, and I will not just take a dim view if they do not—I will insist that there be a culture of openness and transparency in our health service.”
“Such independence is at the heart of the credibility that is gained by having independent public inquiries. I believe that these matters are under consideration by Lord Brodie, and it is right that he comes to his own conclusions without any interference. Jackie Baillie: I asked a simple question of the cabinet secretary, which is whether he believes Sophia’s parents and Dr Peters or whether he believes Fiona McQueen. Sophia Smith’s family has effectively been offered a bribe rather than the truth. The Queen Elizabeth university hospital scandal showed how a culture of cover-up has grown under the Scottish Government’s watch. The cabinet secretary’s predecessor, Jeane Freeman, committed to a review of the culture in the national health service at the same time as announcing whistleblowing champions, which was very welcome.”
“We know that the allegations tally with the evidence that was given by Dr Christine Peters to the Scottish hospitals inquiry, who said, quoting the chief nursing officer: “At one point she said that she could not understand ‘why [the health board] had not just offered the families 50 grand which is a trip to Disneyland, rather than deny that there had been harm caused’.” Does the cabinet secretary believe the accounts of Dr Peters and Sophia’s parents, or does he believe Fiona McQueen and her current lack of recollection? Neil Gray: It is not for me to judge; it is for the independent public inquiry, which is chaired by Lord Brodie, to get to the truth of these matters. We establish public inquiries so that they can get to the truth in a way that is independent from on- going commentary or political interference.”
“However, I again repeat to the Parliament, as I have said during the past four weeks, that the Scottish Government treats patient safety with the utmost importance. That is why there is a Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland, and it is also why we established a new safety and public confidence oversight group for the Queen Elizabeth university hospital. Jackie Baillie: These matters are in the public domain. My question concerned an employee of the Scottish Government, and it is entirely appropriate that the cabinet secretary should respond. The allegations against the former chief nursing officer, Fiona McQueen, are very serious, and they must be investigated.”
“I offer my deepest condolences to the Smith family, who so tragically lost their daughter Sophia in 2017. I cannot begin to imagine the pain that Sophia’s family has gone through, and I appreciate that the inquiry into the Queen Elizabeth university hospital will have reopened those wounds. We established the inquiry that is being led by Lord Brodie so that families such as the Smith family can get the truth that they deserve. It is vitally important that the independence of Lord Brodie’s inquiry be respected and that he be free to come to his conclusions without any attempted political interference. The matters in Jackie Baillie’s question relate to issues that are under consideration by Lord Brodie and, as she knows, it would be inappropriate for the Government to comment further.”
“He was clear with me that the structures that we have in place are robust; the issue that he is concerned about is ensuring that there is follow-up when concerns are raised and that action is taken when complaints are upheld, and I have agreed to work with him on how we ensure that greater scaffolding and ballast are provided in that respect. That is what I will take forward with the national whistleblowing officer. The Presiding Officer: That concludes general question time. First Minister’s Question Time 12:01 Business Rates Relief 1.”
“Stephen Kerr: With the exclusive in this morning’s Scotsman on trying to silence whistleblowers by offering them trips to Disneyland, with the Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland saying in Parliament this week that people are frightened to speak up because of the culture of cover-up that we have in the NHS, with careers being destroyed and with the bullying and endless cover-ups, Neil Gray must accept that what we have is not working. Will he accept that we need a complete reset of whistleblowing in the NHS and in Scotland’s public services, and will he take a lead in making the case for a truly independent office of the whistleblower outside the structure of the NHS? Neil Gray: I met the independent national whistleblowing officer—the ombudsman—this week to discuss priorities for strengthening the speak-up culture across NHS boards.”
“A positive whistleblowing culture is essential to patient safety, staff confidence and the effective running of NHS Scotland. All health service staff should feel confident to raise concerns, and I have been direct with NHS boards about the need to protect and support whistleblowers. Concerns raised by whistleblowers must be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Whistleblowing culture is kept under review through staff surveys, engagement with boards, the NHS Scotland whistleblowing policy and the work of the independent national whistleblowing officer, whom I met this week. Those arrangements promote safe reporting, accountability, transparency and learning.”
“That is why, in the absence of sufficient conventional capital being available in my portfolio and across Government to bring forward those infrastructure investment projects, we have sought to create the revenue-based model to allow for the delivery of the Lochgelly and Cowdenbeath project and the other projects in the system. The current timeline is an estimate of when the model will be ready, alongside the associated business case and design work, and we are looking to accelerate that timeline, as I stressed to Ms Ewing in the meeting that I had with her recently. The design of a facility tends to be the aspect that takes the longest time to complete, but the business case process will happen concurrently with the development of the funding model, so that the project can be progressed imminently.”
“With regard specifically to Lochgelly, it is good news for my constituents that a new Lochgelly medical centre is back on the Scottish Government’s capital projects waiting list, but they will be dismayed that construction is now not forecast to start until at least 2031, which will be some 20 years after the first promise, notwithstanding the fact that there is a business case and that planning permission is in place. Does the cabinet secretary understand the disappointment that is felt about that? What will he do to accelerate the project, so that Lochgelly gets its long-awaited new medical centre? Neil Gray: I very much recognise the points that Annabelle Ewing raises. Having visited the existing centre and met her constituents, I feel their disappointment and I understand it.”
“As is set out in the infrastructure delivery pipeline, we are developing a revenue funding model to enable additional infrastructure investment across primary and community care with a network of local care and wellbeing centres, starting with projects in Port Glasgow, East Livingston and East Calder, Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and the range of sites further listed in the document. We are also working with all boards to develop an NHS whole-system infrastructure plan to inform future investment priorities across the estate and ensure that the available funding is directed to best effect. Annabelle Ewing: Of course, I welcome any proposed regeneration in my constituency.”
“I know the intense interest in this matter and I am happy to take any questions that members have. The Presiding Officer: The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues raised in his statement. I intend to allow around 20 minutes for questions, after which we will move to the next item of business. I would be grateful if members who wish to put a question were to press their request-to-speak buttons now.”
“Last week, I met with the Patient Safety Commissioner, and tomorrow I will meet with the national whistleblowing officer. These meetings are to discuss the issues that matter and to make my support for both roles absolutely clear. The inquiry is now in its final stages and it is vital that we give Lord Brodie the time and space that he requires to write his final report. Families and patients who have waited so long deserve a report that is thorough, fair and grounded entirely in evidence. When that report is published, the Scottish Government will respond with the seriousness and transparency that the public rightly expects—taking whatever action is necessary to restore confidence, strengthen safety systems and ensure that lessons lead to real and lasting improvements.”
“This work sits alongside Scotland’s wider, long- standing national approach to improvement—the Scottish patient safety programme, which was launched in 2008 as the first national initiative of its kind and which continues to deliver safer care and better outcomes. Ensuring patient safety also requires creating an environment where staff can speak up without fear. Let me state this as clearly as possible: when staff raise concerns—often in very demanding and distressing circumstances—they must be protected and their concerns must be taken seriously. I fully support that principle, and I have made that clear on the record repeatedly. Effective whistleblowing systems are essential to ensuring that any concerns that are raised are followed by proper action.”
“The group will cover environment and facilities compliance and assurance; leadership and organisational development; public and political confidence and engagement; and implementation of the issues, findings and future recommendations of the Scottish hospitals inquiry. Importantly, it will not interfere with the work of Lord Brodie in the inquiry. He must be given the space and time to review all evidence, free from political influence. I also confirm that I will write to members across the chamber to offer an opportunity to meet me and the chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to discuss the remit of the group.”
“Therefore, in light of the amendment from the Greens, which was passed, I confirm today the creation of a new safety and public confidence oversight group. This group will be co-chaired by the chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the eminent Professor Lewis Ritchie, who, Parliament will know, has overseen a number of reviews and reports over the years. Professor Ritchie’s input will provide relevant independent scrutiny, and the group will report to the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde board and the Scottish Government. The group will be broad and inclusive and will involve active engagement with patients, families, the wider public, staff, whistleblowers and other key stakeholders. The group will also make use of external independent scrutiny by Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the NHS Scotland assure service.”
“Experts to the inquiry have since advised that governance arrangements for both water and ventilation systems are now optimal. That independent judgment is an important marker of the progress that has been made and of the seriousness with which patient safety is now embedded in day-to-day operations. There is also new leadership at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and I have absolute confidence in the leadership of the board and the chief executive and their ability to ensure that there is the cultural change that is needed in Glasgow. While ministers are assured of the safety of the hospital, we recognise the need to boost public confidence, given the significant political and media scrutiny in recent days.”
“He noted that the facilities team is exceeding standard guidance and adopting a proactive and preventative approach that prioritises patient safety and resilience. Ventilation governance has been subject to equally rigorous scrutiny. In March last year, Healthcare Improvement Scotland was asked by me to review progress made by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in addressing requirements arising from its June 2022 inspection. Healthcare Improvement Scotland reported that the original inspection covered more elements of the healthcare associated infection standards than had been covered in any other single inspection, underlining the depth of that inspection. Healthcare Improvement Scotland further confirmed that the subsequent action plan showed that all four requirements had been completed.”
“Turning to the Greens’ amendment, which the Government supported, it is important that Parliament is guided by the independent evidence that is now available. Recent assessments provide clear reassurance about the safety systems that are currently in place at the Queen Elizabeth university hospital. As part of the hospitals inquiry, Lord Brodie commissioned a series of expert reports and audits from Andrew Poplett, who is an independent specialist in healthcare water and ventilation systems. In his expert evaluation, Mr Poplett concluded that the hospital’s current management of its water systems is suitable and safe. Giving evidence to the inquiry in September 2025, he stated that, while there had been historic concerns, the system is “currently extremely well managed”, reflecting what he described as “significant improvement”.”
“We remain committed to fully supporting both of those processes by making available all records and access to relevant persons, where necessary, to address specific lines of inquiry. My officials are now examining how the documents that are referred to in the motion that was voted on by Parliament can be released safely and lawfully, and I will update Parliament in due course. However, let me also be clear in stating that this Government will not risk the integrity of the independent inquiry or seek to interfere in its work or that of the Crown Office purely to satisfy the political appetite of some members in the chamber. At the heart of this matter are families who deserve the truth, and that will be delivered by Lord Brodie’s inquiry and the Crown Office investigation. I will not interfere with that process.”
“Every single formal submission to the inquiry has included an explicit confirmation that we have complied with our overarching obligations under the law. I can therefore say with confidence that all relevant material has been preserved and provided to Lord Brodie. As the First Minister has stated, and as I have also confirmed, if Lord Brodie requires any further material, we will, of course, make that available to the inquiry. The Government’s duty of co-operation is absolute and on-going. The Scottish Government has also fully complied with requests from Police Scotland to have information shared as part of its independent and on-going investigations into deaths at the QEUH campus.”