Pensioners converge on Holyrood to quiz Sturgeon

Published on Friday 2 October 2009 14:22

DEPUTY First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today faced a grilling from elderly people at an assembly in the Scottish Parliament.

Health, housing and the need for a senior citizens Parliament were among the issues dealt with by Ms Sturgeon in a 15-minute question and answer session.

The event kicked off the first Older People's Assembly this morning – and included a call from retired Unite member George Henderson for their own Parliament.

Ms Sturgeon said today's event, attended by around 300 people, was a "one-off", but said this could change if it proves to be "successful and effective".

She added: "I don't think any Government or Parliament would stand in the way of turning this into something much more long lasting and much more of an established part Scottish discussion and debate."

Participants also sought assurances on the future of Vale of Leven Hospital in West Dunbartonshire, the redesign of hospital services in Glasgow and sheltered housing in Stirling.

Local palliative care was also raised by Jean Kerr from the Isle of Cumbrae.

She said: "Our elderly people in rural and island communities are forced to spend the last months and weeks of their lives isolated away from these areas – from community, family, friends – and all that's familiar."

She asked whether this was acceptable in "21st century Scotland".

The Deputy First Minister said that health boards and councils were trying to increase care home provision in more remote communities.

But she added: "The Government and councils and health boards across the country recognise that for people genuinely in the last stages of their life, people who need palliative care, for example, we've not been as good as we should be in providing good quality palliative care and giving people a choice about where they spend the last days of their lives.

"Whether they spend it in a hospice or would rather spend it at home surrounded by their loved ones – we've got a big job of work to do there."

Today's event was formally opened by Presiding officer Alex Fergusson and included a panel discussion with Public Health Minister Shona Robison, Sylvia Meehan, president of the Irish Senior Citizen's Parliament, Older People's commissioner for Wales Ruth Marks and Labour Deputy leader Johan Lamont.