Holyrood backs new patients' rights law

MSPs backed the Patient Rights Bill yesterday despite concerns raised by the British Medical Association that the new 12-week limit will force doctors to rush patients into treatment.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon dismissed the complaint and defended the plan during its final debate at Holyrood.

She said: "We have a bill that will make a difference to patients in Scotland - and that has always been the intention, certainly of the government, and I hope of everybody else in the chamber."

The bill, which was backed unanimously, also provides for a charter of patients' rights and responsibilities within six months of the legislation coming into force.

Politicians backed calls for compensation payments for patients infected with hepatitis C as a result of NHS treatment.

Ms Sturgeon added: "Genuinely excellent care already exists in the health service and I would be the first to acknowledge that.

"But I would also be the first to acknowledge that genuinely excellent care needs to happen more consistently and reliably.

"It needs to happen for every person, every time they have contact with the health service. When it doesn't happen, there has to be a clear, unambiguous right to complain and to have the concern addressed - and that's what this bill is all about."

Labour MSP Dr Richard Simpson said he was previously critical of the bill, but added: "As now amended, I do believe it makes a valuable contribution to an important journey which this parliament has been on since its inception."