Jenni Minto
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“I would like to reflect on Willie Rennie’s comments. Bute welcomed families from Syria, who are now an integral part of the island. In Lochgilphead, Ukrainian families have settled and helped to revitalise the town’s main street with two new businesses.”
“Mòran taing, Oifigear Riaghlaidh. Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. I want to start with the words of one of my constituents: “I am not a politician, nor do I ever wish to become one. I am a leatherworker, a father and a business owner.”
“Ben Macpherson: There are many initiatives and policies in this space to encourage and support our young people to ensure that they can fulfil their potential, including the free tuition that the Government has provided for students.”
“Yesterday, I met pupils at Sunnyside primary school in Glasgow, and we talked about climate change, the Celtic and Amazonian rainforests and the fact that Scotland is the proud host of a rainforest. In my constituency, Dunoon grammar school won the world’s best school prize for community collaboration.”
“If any of the Reform members had taken part in my colleague Maggie Chapman’s debate on university education, they would have heard me talk about the Scottish Association for Marine Science, which is in Oban, in my constituency.”
“He spoke about the impact that Brexit had had on his business and how, because of that vote, his order book collapsed. He had to find new ways of marketing and promoting his business to ensure that he and his family survived. He spoke about the support that he had received from the SNP to expand his business.”
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“Bedrolite has been a lifesaver, particularly for children with severe types of epilepsy, but if it is not licensed, the NHS will not fund it. A small number of exceptions have been made in England and Northern Ireland for children with conditions for which Bedrolite has been made available. In view of that, why is it impossible to organise cannabis medicine for complex epilepsy through the NHS in Scotland, when it is clear that that has happened in other parts of the UK? Jenni Minto: I refer to a positive meeting that I had with Pauline McNeill in her capacity as co- convener of the cross-party group on medical cannabis, along with Tess White. Ms McNeill is correct that there are three cannabis-based products for medicinal use available on the NHS in Scotland to treat specific conditions.”
“Before I start, I recognise the work that Pauline McNeill has carried out in this area. No cannabis-based products for medicinal use are licensed in the United Kingdom for the treatment of chronic pain, and any prescribing decisions would be for clinicians to make. The evidence base for cannabis-based products for medicinal use in the treatment of chronic pain is very limited, combined with consistent evidence of adverse effects and/or harms. I remain very close to this area and continue to engage closely with UK Government ministers on the establishment of trials for cannabis-based products for medicinal use. Pauline McNeill: Certain cannabis medicines have been legal since 2018, but Bedrolite is not yet licensed.”
“Key to that is ensuring that women do not have to wait until they have had a third miscarriage before receiving tailored support, that they can access care in dedicated early pregnancy units or services and that separate spaces are provided in hospitals for those who experience pregnancy or baby loss, whether a miscarriage or a stillbirth. We also remain resolute in our commitment to expand access to progesterone for women who need it. We have made progress on all those commitments, but we believe that the delivery framework will be key to driving progress and to focusing on areas in which improvement is still required.”
“I am pleased to bring forward a debate on this very important topic. I hope that it serves as an opportunity to reflect on progress that has been made and to discuss the next steps for improving miscarriage care in Scotland. Today, we became the first country in the United Kingdom to publish a Government delivery framework for miscarriage care, alongside a new progesterone pathway, since the publication of The Lancet report, which was a pivotal moment in the campaign for better miscarriage care. Those documents will make a real difference in ensuring that those who experience miscarriage receive a good standard of care and support wherever they live in Scotland.”
“During my time as the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health— and, indeed, during my life—I have heard many devastating stories from people who have been affected by miscarriage and baby loss. The charity Tommy’s has said that one in two adults have experienced or know someone who has experienced miscarriage or baby loss, so I know that many people in the chamber and those who are watching us today will have been affected by such issues. I extend my heartfelt condolences to all those who have experienced miscarriage or baby loss. I know that the pain does not go away. However, I hope that, by speaking out about miscarriage and stillbirth, we can help to break the associated stigma and ensure that women and families feel empowered to find their voice and access the right care and support for them.”
“Jenni Minto: Like Michelle Thomson, I have had the privilege of seeing the incredible work that independent hospices do—both personally and as a minister. I also recognise that Labour’s decision to increase employer national insurance has created huge pressure across the whole of the public and third sectors, including Scottish hospices. If that is not fully funded by the United Kingdom Government, it will pose risks to service delivery. We remain committed to working with the hospice sector and IJBs to develop a new national funding framework that will support IJBs and independent hospices to agree sustainable funding, planning and commissioning arrangements to meet their local populations’ needs. We will be creating a partnership group to drive that work.”
“On a recent visit to Strathcarron hospice, which provides invaluable end-of-life care for almost 500 patients and families in central Scotland, I was fortunate to speak to staff and learn more about the quite incredible work that they do. However, the chief executive told me that one of the challenges that it faces is Labour’s employer national insurance increase. That will put additional pressure on its budget, which is largely funded by donations. Although the increased budget commitment is hugely welcome, what update can the Scottish Government provide on a new national funding framework for hospice care in Scotland to help mitigate the longer-term impacts of Labour’s damaging policy?”
“The draft budget for 2025- 26 now includes £5 million of investment to support independent hospices to provide pay parity with national health service agenda for change levels. The aim of that is to support hospices to retain staff who deliver essential end- of-life and palliative care services. My officials are already undertaking work to explore the mechanisms for providing that funding, while respecting the roles of integration joint boards and local commissioning arrangements. Michelle Thomson: I thank the minister for putting on the record that the draft budget includes £5 million for that. I note that that increase came about during budget negotiations.”
“I ask the minister again, therefore, whether she thinks that the standard baby box is appropriate for some very low birth-weight, pre-term babies, and whether the Government would consider even a pilot scheme to support a baby box that is specifically designed for premature babies. Jenni Minto: I thank Mark Griffin for his follow- up question. I absolutely recognise the work that he did, along with the Government, to implement the young patients family fund, and I thank him for that work. I am listening to what he is saying. There are certain items in the baby box that are suitable for premature babies, but we would be happy to meet with Mr Griffin to have a further conversation around the matter. NHS Fife Chief Executive (Discussions) 7.”
“Many essential items in the baby box are suitable for premature babies, and the Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a specialised baby box for premature babies. Mark Griffin: Premature babies have very specific needs, and the baby box is often stocked with items that are not appropriate for those babies at birth. A premature baby box could contain things such as specially sized clothes; sensory toys, which are important for development; specific information on prem awareness and baby care; and details of the young patients family fund, which the minister mentioned.”
“Since 2017, the Scottish Government has been working with national health service boards to implement “The best start” plan to improve the quality and safety of maternity and neonatal services and to secure improved health and wellbeing for mothers and babies. “The best start” plan emphasises parents as key partners in caring for their baby and aims to keep mothers and babies together as much as possible, with services being designed around them. Recommendations include providing accommodation; the young patients family fund; repatriating babies to their local neonatal units; and transitional care and neonatal community care. The plan also recommends that we move to three neonatal intensive care units, based on evidence that outcomes will be improved for the most pre-term and sickest babies.”
“Jenni Minto: I know that some health boards, such as NHS Tayside, to which I referred in responding to previous questions, have chosen to invest in mobile dental units. I understand that those have been successful, and I certainly encourage such innovative thinking. However, that would be a decision for the health board to make, based on its individual needs and circumstances. Premature Babies (Support) 6.”
“The director general for health and social care met with senior officials from NHS Dumfries and Galloway, including the chief executive, to discuss national health service dental provision this Monday, 20 January. I understand that the discussion was productive, and my officials continue to meet quarterly with the health board to discuss all aspects of NHS dental service delivery. Emma Harper: We know that more than 17,000 NHS dental patients across Dumfries and Galloway have been deregistered. Last week, I met with a retired dentist who suggested that mobile dental units could be a solution. Could the minister consider raising that with NHS D and G to ensure that people in Dumfries and Galloway have access to an NHS dentist?”
“I found it an invaluable opportunity to learn at first hand about the east of Scotland thrombectomy service and to discuss service delivery, staffing levels and equity of access with the clinical and service management team. We will continue to work with everyone who I have just mentioned in boards and regions, and with NHS national services, to expand access to thrombectomy.”
“My Fife constituency relies on the Lothian thrombectomy service, which also serves Lothian and Dumfries and Galloway. Will the minister ensure that investment in the Lothian service rises so that there are not unacceptable delays and waiting times for my constituents? Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government remains committed to expanding the national thrombectomy service and ensuring that access to that treatment is as equitable as possible. I had the pleasure of visiting NHS Lothian’s thrombectomy hub at the Edinburgh royal infirmary on 14 January and I was very impressed by the staff’s dedication and commitment to improving the care of those people who have experienced stroke.”
“We have invested £38 million to date in a national thrombectomy service. Most national health service boards, including NHS Fife, can now refer to thrombectomy hubs, increasing geographical access to thrombectomy. We are also funding thrombectomy specialist nurse posts in spoke hospitals with high rates of ischaemic stroke, including NHS Fife, to ensure that people who would benefit from thrombectomy are promptly identified. Work is on-going to establish how the £16 million that was announced in the Scottish budget, once it has been scrutinised by the Parliament, can be best used to maximise the number of patients who are able to benefit from thrombectomy. Mark Ruskell: I thank the minister for that response, but it is clear that there is something of a postcode lottery when it comes to thrombectomy services.”
“My chief pharmaceutical officer and I meet Community Pharmacy Scotland regularly. From my recollections of the meetings that we have had, this has never been raised as an issue. However, at our next meeting, I am content to have a conversation about the issue. As I referenced in response to a question last week, community pharmacies and pharmacists are absolutely key and integral to ensuring that Scotland gets through any winter crisis. The role that they carry out is incredibly important, and I am very thankful for what they do.”
“Why, without any joined-up co-ordination with pharmacies, were the eligibility criteria for the NHS vaccine changed, making it inevitable that there would be additional demand on pharmacies? Is that not just another example of why people cannot trust the Scottish National Party with the NHS? Is that not simply a continuation of the SNP’s pattern of incompetence when it comes to health? Jenni Minto: I refute entirely what Stephen Kerr just said. We have been listening to the experts— the JCVI—with regard to the appropriate cohorts to be vaccinated in Scotland. The information on eligibility criteria is routinely published on the Government website. The Scottish chief medical officer writes a letter, which is also published. The information is also published on NHS Inform, which is incredibly important.”
“From a clinical perspective, the best results come to those who are most in need, who are the cohorts I spoke about earlier, and particularly the over-65s. Stephen Kerr: I will continue to focus on the wider public interest. A lot of members of the public are getting the message that they should seek a flu vaccine. Adam Osprey from Community Pharmacy Scotland reported that demand was outstripping supply in community pharmacies. It is little wonder that that is the case, because it is a fact that, this year, the criteria for qualifying for the flu vaccine were changed. Community pharmacies could not have known that there were new eligibility criteria when they ordered their annual stock of jags, because the Government never told them about it.”
“If, as the minister says, there is no shortage of vaccines in the national health service and no restriction in supply, will she follow the example of the Northern Ireland Executive and the strong advice of Joseph Carter, the head of Asthma and Lung UK Scotland, and release the surplus stock of vaccine to the wider public immediately? Jenni Minto: I appreciate Stephen Kerr’s recognition that, as I noted, there are no shortages of stocks in Scotland. We asked NHS National Services Scotland to check and ensure that stocks were there. I have had discussions with my officials about the decision in Northern Ireland, but the clear advice that I have had is to continue following the advice from the JCVI.”
“The pertinence of my question was borne out by last week’s First Minister’s question time, when the First Minister repeated—quite often—that there was an exceptionally high level of flu, and we were being told that our hospitals are at breaking point. We are also being told—as I think has been borne out by anecdotal evidence supplied by my constituents—that vaccine demand is high and is outstripping the available supply in pharmacies across Scotland. People cannot get hold of a vaccine anywhere, no matter how hard they search.”
“The Scottish Government has procured ample vaccines for the free national programme, which allows us to vaccinate the groups that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has advised on—notably, those who are aged 65 and over and those who are clinically at risk. I encourage those who are eligible and who have not been vaccinated to come forward before the programme ends, on 31 March. The Scottish Government is not responsible for private flu vaccination services for groups who are outside the national programme, but our national supplier has confirmed that it has supplies of vaccine for the under-65 age group available for purchase. That has been communicated to Community Pharmacy Scotland. Stephen Kerr: I welcome some of the things that the minister said in reply to my question.”
“I have undertaken to write to NHS National Services Scotland with regard to Community Pharmacy Scotland’s frustrations about receiving payments. However, as I pointed out in my original answer, over the past two years, the funding settlement from the Scottish Government for community pharmacies has been very good.”
“In the light of those funding pressures, will the minister set out what support the Scottish Government will provide to community pharmacies? Will the Scottish Government consider the option of the NHS exemption for national insurance contributions being applied to NHS contractors? Jenni Minto: Before I respond to Finlay Carson’s question, I thank community pharmacies across Scotland for the work that they do in their communities all year round but especially at this time of year. They are an integral part of supporting people through the winter from a preventative care perspective and by providing a wide range of pharmaceutical services. I meet Community Pharmacy Scotland regularly, and the issue of payments is always on the agenda.”
“Finlay Carson: Many operators in my constituency say that their reserves have been wiped out because the medicine tariffs that are paid by NHS Scotland have failed to keep pace with the rapidly increasing costs of medicine, resulting in pharmacists having to, in effect, subsidise national health service medicines out of their own pocket. Community pharmacies provide a vital service, with increasing demand in remote and rural areas. They are hugely valued public services that are operated by private contractors, and they have been underfunded consistently in recent years. Many face an accumulative £20,000 to £30,000 a year increase in operating costs as the new minimum wage and national insurance rates kick in, with no internal mechanism to absorb the increases.”
“The Government continues to support community pharmacies, including rural pharmacies, by delivering the largest-ever increase to funding for two years in a row. That has delivered a total of £422 million in guaranteed funding for community pharmacies across Scotland in this financial year. In addition, there is a guaranteed minimum target income for essential small pharmacies, most of which are rural, and a pharmaceutical needs weighting payment, which acknowledges both demographics and the deprivation that is associated with a patient’s postcode. Those measures help to support rural pharmacies by ensuring that they are not disadvantaged because of their location.”
“I want to be clear that the Scottish Government continues to strive for universal access but, unfortunately, neither the system nor the finances can support that happening overnight. Advances in technology are frequent, and we want to be ready to pivot to any opportunity to provide support at pace. I am unable to confirm the expansion rate for the next financial year, but we continue to work with all stakeholders to understand what support is required to do that. However, the funding that we set aside in May is continual. I reiterate my thanks to the type 1 community across Scotland, which has enabled this transformational change, and I hope that we can continue to work together to support access to tech for all.”
“Christine Grahame: People with type 2 diabetes are sometimes blamed for their condition, with people saying that it is a lifestyle issue. That is wrong. I know perfectly well that that is not the case, because a member of my family who is as fit as a fiddle and who has a handicap of 2 at golf was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I just want to put that on the record. There is a blame game attached, sometimes. Jenni Minto: I agree with Christine Grahame. I have a close friend who lives with type 2 diabetes, which I would suggest is nothing to do with her lifestyle. I will close by mentioning the continued push for a faster and firmer commitment to diabetes tech.”
“We are also able to work with officials to secure appropriate investment year on year and to ensure that it reaches as many people as possible. I reassure members that, although we do not have a formal publication, we are rolling out at pace, which is, I am sure, what matters to most people who are living with diabetes. Brian Whittle’s comments allow me to talk about the preventative side and the work that we are doing on the population health framework with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and in collaboration with Public Health Scotland, directors of public health and key local, regional and national partners. I look forward to working closely with Mr Whittle and others on a clear focus on prevention of type 2 diabetes. I completely understand that different approaches are required for people living with type 1.”
“Our clinicians may offer a lower-priced brand to allow more of their patients to access the technology, although individuals and families should continue to have conversations with their clinician team. I again reassure members that the national programme is committed to supporting brand choice for children and young people. Mr Choudhury and others asked about the plan. Although other nations have published strategies and targets, we were fortunate in Scotland to be able to kick-start a significant roll-out programme as soon as funds were released. We have also found that negotiating with suppliers to secure bulk national deals has allowed us to secure the best deals; setting targets for the numbers might have prevented us from achieving the current prices.”
“As others have said, more than 35,000 people are living with type 1 diabetes in Scotland, and demand for diabetes tech currently outstrips the capacity in the system. I will respond to Annie Wells’s concerns about brand choice for children. I am aware that there is growing concern that children cannot access the most appropriate technology for their needs, but I reiterate that the national programme has provided adequate funding to allow all local services to provide any of the CGM brands that are available on the market. However, it is important to note that a prescribing clinician might feel that they can maximise access to the kits, while providing safe and effective care, by using more cost-efficient brands. I cannot discuss the cost details, but there are significant differences.”
“Some health boards have already exceeded that target. We know that access for young people in Scotland is catching up with the situation in the rest of the world. I reiterate how life changing that will be for many families, which Christine Grahame spoke about. One reason why we have been able to do that at pace is that we commissioned a new national onboarding service. That team is comprised of highly experienced diabetes clinicians and, whih is most important, peer-support staff, who all help people to learn to navigate living with their new normal, which is their living with a closed-loop system. Although I am proud to outline to members the significant progress, I also recognise the challenges that remain for many people.”
“This year, we entered a new phase of delivery by establishing a national programme. The primary aim of it was to remove the postcode- lottery elements of care that many people were experiencing. The programme began in May last year, with an initial investment to support 2,100 individuals to receive an insulin pump or a continuous glucose monitor, or both, and to create a hybrid closed-loop system. That was on top of the £29 million that we have invested in diabetes tech since 2016. The initial focus of the programme has been to provide a closed-loop system to all children and young people who want it. As it stands, 64 per cent of children who are living with type 1 diabetes have access to a closed-loop system, and we expect the figure to be around 80 per cent by the end of this financial year.”
“Miles Briggs, Foysol Choudhury and Sarah Boyack all talked about the situation in NHS Lothian. I am aware of that situation and I am pleased that my officials are working very closely with NHS Lothian. We discuss that issue a lot. I recognise that there is more to do, and I am under no illusion that the job is complete. Before I touch on some of the key issues that have been raised, I would like to outline the significant progress that we have made since last year. However, before I do that, I thank the local services and give them credit for their unwavering commitment to the programme. The process has been no mean feat, so I highlight the work that each and every diabetes team has had to put into it. As Emma Harper did, I also thank the staff for the non-judgmental support that they provide to people who are living with diabetes.”
“I also thank Carol Mochan for raising the importance of not forgetting about inequalities and for setting out how diabetes can impact on different areas of Scotland. It remains the Scottish Government’s ambition to make diabetes technology available to everyone in Scotland who would benefit from it. The Scottish Government has committed to doing that for all children and young people, as well as to working towards universal access for adults. I regularly hear from people who are living with diabetes about the importance of continuing to work towards making the technology available to all. I would like to reflect briefly on where things were just one year ago. Many members told me of the considerable waiting lists that constituents were facing and that many of them had a sense of hopelessness about the lack of protected funding.”
“I, too, thank Foysol Choudhury for bringing the motion to the Parliament. He has reminded us clearly of the daily challenges that people who are living with diabetes face and how technology can transform their lives. I thank colleagues across the chamber for their contributions and for sharing their experiences of living with diabetes or supporting people who do. I always think that it is helpful when someone who does not live with diabetes shares their experiences, so I thank Brian Whittle for that. It has been a very informative debate, and I have been heartened to hear that members across the chamber recognise the importance of expanding access to diabetes technology. I thank all those who have travelled here tonight, those who are watching and those who have generously shared their stories with me and colleagues.”