Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Health

Brian Whittle S5M-03440 That the Parliament believes that health inequalities are a serious problem in Scotland; considers that preventative health measures could reduce the pressures placed on the NHS; notes the BMA’s opinion that "prevention requires interventions that are essentially non-medical if the differences in health and wellbeing are to be reduced"; understands that education and early years intervention are key to improving Scotland’s health, and believes that enabling people to have an active lifestyle and make healthy choices will reduce both health inequalities and preventable health problems. Shona Robison S5M-03440.4 As an amendment to motion S5M-03440 in the name of Brian Whittle (Health), insert at end “; believes that the forthcoming Scottish Government strategy on diet and obesity will be strengthened from contributions across the Parliament, and welcomes that the new strategy will be subject to consultation in 2017 to ensure that it is informed by the best evidence from across Scotland." Colin Smyth S5M-03440.1 As an amendment to motion S5M-03440 in the name of Brian Whittle (Health), insert at end "; further believes that tackling health inequalities requires well-resourced local services; considers that the Scottish Government’s £327 million of cuts to local council budgets will only further increase health inequalities rather than tackle them, and believes that it should use its tax powers to stop these damaging cuts in the Scottish budget."