VIDEO: First Minister backs MSP’s call for extension to NHS Highland Healing Process
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Edward Mountain MSP has called for NHS Highland’s Healing Process, due to be closed to registrations tomorrow, to be extended to ensure “no one who has suffered from bullying and harassment is excluded.”
Mr Mountain raised the issue with the first minister today and she confirmed that she is “broadly sympathetic” to the call for an extension.
The Highland and Islands MSP also called for the Scottish Government to finally hold a debate on the findings of the Sturrock Report, which was promised at the time of its publication in May 2019.
Mr Mountain MSP has campaigned in support of NHS Highland bullying victims since whistleblowers revealed the extent of the issue back in September 2018.
Most recently, he successfully lobbied the first minister, the cabinet secretary for health and NHS Highland to ensure the tax deducted from the compensation payments was overturned.
A HMRC ruling at the beginning of February confirmed that compensation would not be subject to tax, unless the payments are related to earnings from current employment.
During today’s session of First Minister’s Questions, Mr Mountain asked: “First Minister, all those affected by bullying within NHS Highland feel cheated that this Parliament has not found the time, that was indeed promised, to debate the Sturrock Report.
"I am still being contacted, by former and current members of NHS Highland, asking how they register for the Healing Process.
"Does the first minister therefore agree with me that the deadline of tomorrow for registering, should be extended, to ensure that no one who has suffered from bullying and harassment is excluded?”
Nicola Sturgeon, first minister, replied: “I’m happy to look into that specific point, obviously urgently, because it relates to a deadline of tomorrow, but I would not want anybody to be excluded. So, take it from that, that I am broadly sympathetic to what you have said there but I need to check the detail of that.
“On that, I am looking to the health secretary; she is indicating to me that she has undertaken to come back before parliament stops before the election to give a further update. If the parliamentary bureau wants there to be a debate and time can be found for that I certainly see no reason why that would not be the case.
She added: “I will ask Graeme Dey, minister for parliamentary business, to discuss with business managers whether there is both an appetite for and time in the remaining schedule to allow such a debate to take place.”
Following First Minister’s Questions, Mr Mountain said: “I am pleased that the first minister supports my call for an extension to the Healing Process. This is a matter of urgency and I have already contacted the cabinet secretary of health to follow-up on this matter.
"I continue to have many current and former members of NHS Highland who are contacting me about their experiences of bullying. They should not be left behind and the Healing Process must stay open for longer.”
Read more on the Healing Process.
ENDS
Link to Scottish Parliament TV video of the First Minister’s Questions, 25 February 2021 (Edward’s question begins at around 13.18pm): https://www.scottishparliament.tv/
