McMillan Raises CMU Issue in Scottish Parliament

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP has today (Thursday) raised the future of the Community Maternity Unit (CMU) at Inverclyde Royal Hospital (IRH) in the Scottish Parliament chamber with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Nicola Sturgeon MSP.

Mr McMillan asked the Health Secretary what the Scottish Government’s position is on the review of the provision of maternity services in West Scotland.

Speaking afterwards Mr McMillan said;

"It was important to raise the future of the Community Maternity Unit with the Health Secretary and place on record my support for the continuation of the unit.

"I recently met with the Chief Executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, alongside Councillor Jim MacLeod, to highlight concerns with the proposed removal of maternity services within Inverclyde.

"I have been keen to reiterate to all relevant authorities that the CMU at the IRH is an important cog in the future of the hospital and its closure is not inevitable or desired.

"Therefore, I am pleased the Health Secretary has indicated she is happy to meet with me to discuss the issue further at the appropriate time."

McMillan Challenges Labour and Tories on Cuts to Welfare Rights Officers

In a debate about the UK Government’s budget in the Scottish Parliament yesterday (28th March) SNP MSP Stuart McMillan challenged both Labour and Conservative front bench spokespeople to defend their colleagues in Inverclyde Council as they propose to cut local Welfare Rights Officers.

McMillan quizzed both on the issue, only for Labour’s Ken Macintosh to refuse to back his colleagues and for the Conservative, Gavin Brown to dismiss Inverclyde before refusing to backs his colleagues. Mr. McMillan intervened on Gavin Brown only for him to state: “As long as it is not about Inverclyde.”

Speaking after the debate Mr McMillan said:

“I am not that surprised about Gavin Brown’s disregard for Inverclyde on what is a serious matter. As we know in Inverclyde, the Tories have had a blatant disregard for the community for decades and yesterday showed no sign of that disregard ceasing.

“The Tories decimated our shipbuilding and heavy industry and they have never been forgiven for it. They really won’t learn any lessons.

“As for Labour’s Ken Macintosh to refuse to answer and back his colleagues in Inverclyde Council also highlights that he was clearly embarrassed by the news. He couldn’t bring himself to back his Labour colleagues as he knows only full well that after the Welfare Reform Act and last week’s Tory/Lib Dem Budget, thousands of people in Inverclyde are going to need to Services of Welfare Rights Advisers even more so.

“In the same week that Labour refuse to back a motion against the scrapping of the 50p Tax Band, we have Labour in Inverclyde, assisted by the anti-independence Tory chums, to reduce Welfare Rights officers in Inverclyde. It begs the question what rally is the difference between these anti-independence parties?

“After this week’s actions, the answer appears to be nothing.”

McMillan Welcomes Asbestos Ruling

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP has today (Wednesday) welcomed the Supreme Court ruling which could allow thousands of insurance claims by families of people who died after exposure to asbestos.

The court placed insurance liability at the time an employee was exposed to asbestos, not when symptoms appeared.

The Scottish Parliament passed legislation to allow compensation for asbestos-related conditions but court challenges from insurance companies have meant cases have been put on hold or side-lined while the insurance companies tried to overturn Scottish Parliament legislation.

Stuart McMillan MSP who played a leading role in the passage of the bill and worked with the campaigners added;

"I welcome today’s announcement from the Supreme Court that families of people who died after exposure to asbestos can claim compensation.

"This decision has taken a long time coming but it’s an important victory for common sense and I now hope those who have suffered from pleural plaques, and their families, can receive the justice they so rightfully deserve.

"Campaign groups such as Clydeside Action on Asbestos deserve tremendous credit for their efforts campaigning for justice for the many sufferers of asbestos related conditions in Scotland."

McMillan Highlights UK Government Budget Blow for Pensioners

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP has today (Friday) criticised the UK Government budget as being damaging for pensioners and those looking for work in Inverclyde.

Chancellor George Osborne announced a freeze in personal tax allowances for over-65s which will hit pensioners hard. The UK Government is also ploughing on with reforms to housing benefit which Mr McMillan believes could make elderly and vulnerable people in West Scotland homeless or force them to live in unsuitable accommodation.

For young working families locally the UK Government has announced it will press ahead with a 3p increase in fuel tax this summer.

Mr McMillan said;

"I am really disappointed by the UK Government's budget. It is going to punish pensioners to pay for a cut in the tax paid by the top earners in society. What this budget means is my pensioner constituents, who have worked and saved hard all their days, are going to be paying for a tax cut for those who are on film star salaries.

"I welcome the increase in the personal tax allowance but over all this will have little impact because of the other measures in the budget.

"And I am struggling to find something in the budget that will damage our economy more than adding another 3p of tax onto the price of fuel, when prices are at record levels. The price of fuel impacts on every aspect of the economy including the cost of food and clothes, this is bonkers economics from the Tories and Liberals.

"When David Cameron came to Scotland a few weeks ago he asked the First Minister to come forward with shovel ready projects that he could support. As ever the Tories and Lib Dems have betrayed our trust and refused to back any of the projects put forward to them which would have created thousands of jobs."

McMillan Calls For Fuel Duty Regulator to Stop Price Spikes

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP has today (Thursday) has criticised the Chancellor’s failure to act on fuel prices at the pump as he used the Budget to confirm that fuel duty will increase in line with inflation.

Mr McMillan has repeatedly called for fairer fuel prices and the need for a fuel regulator which would prevent high prices at the pump and stop the government receiving a windfall from higher prices.

Mr McMillan said;

"People in Inverclyde and right across Scotland are crying out for action to bring down fuel prices, but the Chancellor has ignored calls to reduce fuel duty and forgotten about his pre-election pledge to establish a regulator.

"Regularly, the price of petrol and diesel is more expensive in Inverclyde as compared to other towns nearby and it is justified by claims of local competition.

"The rising fuel prices are threatening to exacerbate an already challenging economic situation for households and businesses in Inverclyde and West Scotland.

"Therefore, if Westminster will not act, the powers should be passed to the Scottish Parliament so that it can.　 If Scotland had control of fuel duty, the SNP Government would introduce a fuel duty regulator to lower prices now."

McMillan Supports Calls for better prostate cancer care

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP has today (Wednesday) expressed his support for a national set of standards of quality prostate cancer care.

After a wide-ranging consultation with people affected by prostate cancer, The Prostate Cancer Charity has compiled a draft set of standards that set out what good quality care looks like.　 The Charity is calling on men who have been affected by prostate cancer and their partners, as well as healthcare professionals, to provide feedback on the draft to ensure it accurately reflects the needs of men.

Once finalised, The Prostate Cancer Charity will be asking the Scottish Government to implement the standards across the country, to ensure that men will have the same expectations of care wherever they live.

Mr. McMillan said;

"Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Scotland, which is why I believe it’s essential we know exactly what people affected by the disease require and expect from our health service.

"I am therefore delighted to back calls for national standards of care, and would urge anyone with direct or indirect experience of the disease to feed back on The Prostate Cancer Charity’s draft document. Men everywhere deserve quality prostate cancer care, and delivering that is what this initiative is all about."

Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said;

"It’s fantastic that Stuart McMillan MSP has backed our call, and look I forward working with Stuart over the months ahead to make this a reality.

"We need national standards of quality prostate cancer care to ensure that healthcare providers and NHS staff know exactly what services and level of care they should be providing to patients. We also need to ensure that men who have, or are concerned about, prostate cancer know exactly what level of care and support they are entitled to receive.

"Before we finalise our standards we need to be absolutely clear that they reflect what men with prostate cancer want – which is why we want to hear from as many people with experience of the disease as possible."

McMillan Encourages Inverclyde to Support National Spring Clean

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) is encouraging people in Inverclyde to take part in Nation Spring Clean events.

The annual event, which runs from 1st April to the 31st May 2012, has a number of clean ups organised in Inverclyde by schools and community councils.

Mr. McMillan said;

"The National Spring Clean campaign is a great way for everyone to get involved in keeping Inverclyde clean and tidy, and shows a real sense of community spirit.

"It’s also good exercise and benefits all when we can look round at litter-free streets and parks.

"I would encourage people of all ages in Inverclyde to check out the campaign website and go along to an event that’s been organised – or even better, get together with some friends or colleagues to organise their own ‘spring clean’ and register that online too.　 It’s not too late and anyone who registers a Clean-Up event on the campaign website will be sent a free clean-up pack including tabards, posters, stickers and bin bags.

"We can all make a difference to the area and I’m hoping to get along to some events myself".

McMillan Presses Need for Infrastructure Improvements

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has today (Monday) urged the UK Government to unlock nearly £300 million of funding, to the Scottish Government, to allow it to take forward a number of infrastructure projects.

Mr McMillan is particularly keen to see funding being made available to start work on ‘shovel-ready projects’ such as the Gourock-Dunoon pontoons.

Stuart said:

"Infrastructure improvements are among the most pressing issues faced by the Scottish Government today in order to assure efficiency in transport, safety of the public, and the future ability of Scottish workers and industries to be competitive in the global economy. It is highly concerning that Westminster does not see the urgency of these improvements in Scotland, which would certainly be of great benefit to the Scottish people.

"Money for the Gourock-Dunoon Pontoons would be an important boost to the local economy and tourism prospects for the area.

"The Scottish Government will continue fighting to support necessary infrastructure improvements for Scotland’s future, and I fully support their actions.

"Therefore, I hope the UK government will release the necessary funding to start these infrastructure projects."

McMillan Welcomes Action to tackle Metal Theft

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP has today (Wednesday) welcomed the news from the Scottish Government that it is taking tough steps to tackle the scourge of metal theft.

It follows the conclusion of the Scottish Government's consultation to improve standards in the industry which is likely to lead to the expansion of the metal dealers licensing scheme. The results of the consultation will be published shortly.

Mr. McMillan said;

"I am pleased to learn the Scottish Government is taking tough steps to tackle metal theft.　

"This is a small victory for those who have been campaigning for tighter regulations and I support the actions of the Justice Secretary.

"I hope these new measures will curb the disgraceful increase in cable and metal thefts throughout Inverclyde and beyond.

MSP & Councillor to meet Health Board over CMU

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP and Councillor Jim MacLeod are to meet with the Chief Executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to discuss possible changes to the Community Maternity Unit (CMU) at Inverclyde Royal Hospital (IRH).

Mr McMillan recently wrote to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to highlight proposals he has been made aware of in relation to a review of maternity provision at Inverclyde Royal Hospital.
Mr McMillan said;

"I have concerns regarding possible changes to maternity provision at Inverclyde Royal Hospital and believe the Health Board must make their intentions clear.

"I view the CMU at the IRH as an important cog in the future of the IRH and I will not accept that closure is inevitable or desired.

"Therefore, I have asked the Chief Executive of NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde for a meeting and I am pleased the Health Board will be meeting Councillor MacLeod and myself in the very near future."

Councillor MacLeod said;

"As SNP Group spokesperson on health I have deep concerns with any perceived changes to the Community Maternity Unit at Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

"We’ve been down this route before, fighting to save local health services in Inverclyde, but I’m hopeful we won’t come to a situation where maternity provision is removed from the hospital.

"Therefore, I look forward to dialogue with the Health Board and making it clear that the Community Maternity Unit must stay."

McMillan Promotes Inverclyde in Tourism Debate

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP and Member of the Scottish Parliament Tourism Committee has today (Thursday) spoken in the Scottish Government debate on The Future of Tourism in Scotland.

The debate recognises the important contribution that tourism makes across many sectors and all geographical areas of Scotland and commended the industry on its continuing growth in spite of harsh economic circumstances.

During his speech Mr McMillan highlighted his praise for Inverclyde and the work being carried out by Discover Inverclyde and the Inverclyde Tourist Group.

Mr McMillan said;

"The tourism sector is a vital component in Scotland which provides much needed economic benefits and employment opportunities to all areas of the country.

"Scotland has an abundance of tourism opportunities, and not just the same things that everyone expects.

"Here in Inverclyde we are truly blessed with some of the most beautiful coastline and scenery going and this has been promoted by organisations such as Discover Inverclyde and Inverclyde Tourist Group to the benefit of the local area.

"The Inverclyde Tourist Group are an inspiration and earlier this year when I had organised a roundtable with them, VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Government, Historic Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage, I know official from the bodies mentioned were impressed with what they had to hear.

"Therefore, I hope many more visitors will be attracted to Inverclyde as this can only be of added benefit to those who live and work in the area."

McMILLAN BACKS NATIONAL ‘NO SMOKING’ DAY

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) is today (Thursday) encouraging constituents in West Scotland, to take part in the National No Smoking Day campaign and use it as an opportunity to work towards giving up the habit.

Despite progress over the years, smoking remains a main cause of preventable illness and death throughout the country, and Mr McMillan wishes for local residents to become involved in this campaign, particularly on Wednesday 14th March, with that being the date this year to highlight benefits of quitting smoking.
　
Mr McMillan MSP said:

"Smoking remains a problem for all people involved, regardless of when one starts, and can seriously damage one’s health in the long term. While the costs of smoking slowly add up over time, smokers can begin ending these costs when they quit, and I realize that most smokers would like to quit if able."

"After the success of the 2006 smoking ban in public places strengthening the stigma against smoking socially, it is important to continue progress across Scotland of reducing the overall smoking habit."

"The health benefit from quitting smoking and living better as a result is extremely important, and what is more, is not unattainable thanks to the large support network available from the health service. National No Smoking Day is a cause I fully support and I encourage smokers to use it as an opportunity to help themselves quit."