Labour Health Spokesperson Jackie Baillie has again refused to apologise to NHS workers in NHS Tayside after she wrongly accused them of being involved in a waiting list “scandal”.

In the debating chamber this morning, SNP MSP Joe FitzPatrick challenged her to retract her remarks – and remove the claims from her website – but she refused to back down.

Ms Baillie continues to keep comments about NHS Tayside being “dragged into the scandal” on her website despite receiving a letter from NHS Tayside chairman Sandy Watson explaining why her claims were false.

In the letter, Mr Watson said: “I would like to underline the fact that NHS Tayside is very open about waiting times activity, publishing a report every three months and discussing this in public at the Tayside NHS Board meeting.”

Mr FitzPatrick, SNP MSP for Dundee City West, said:

“It is completely disrespectful to the hard-working staff of NHS Tayside to accuse them of being embroiled in a waiting list “scandal” – when this is simply not true.

“In fact Ms Baillie continues to plaster these lies on her website after receiving a letter from NHS Tayside’s chairman pointing out where she got the figures wrong.

“This is yet another blunder from Ms Baillie who jumped to the wrong conclusions, hasn’t apologised and continues to leave her comments online.

“Instead of issuing negative and misleading remarks, Ms Baillie and the rest of the Labour Party should be praising the progress made by Scotland’s NHS workforce in their commitment to reducing waiting times.

“Up to 35,000 patients were left to languish on hidden waiting lists when Labour was in government – until the SNP abolished them.

“Our NHS staff work tirelessly and the healthcare associated infection figures published this week reflect this hard work.

“If Jackie Baillie refuses to retract her false claims and apologise, we can only assume that she thinks she has done nothing wrong.”

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Dundee’s constituency MSPs and City Council Leader today [12th May] welcomed an announcement of an additional £9 million of funding for the city’s V&A museum and claimed it was a signiicant milestone in the fudnding of the iconic project.

Shona Robison, MSP for Dundee City East, said: “This funding announcement is a significant milestone in efforts to bring the projects to fruition and I beleive that it will help to attract the private investment we need to complete the capital funding package.

Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick said: “This £9.2 million lottery funding has been awarded because of the high-quality of the project and is a recognition of the value of the architectural significance of V&A Dundee.”

“The Scottish Government has already pledged £15 million, a third of the entire capital funding required and Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced an additional £1.75 million in revenue funding when she visited the city in January.”

SNP Council Leader Ken Guild also welcomed the announcement. Dundee City Council is one of the partners in Design Dundee Ltd., which is managing the project.

Ken Guild said: “The V&A at Dundee is an inspiring initiative which, combined withe the ongoing £1 billion transformation of the waterfront, is helping to move Dundee’s cultural renaissance onto the national stage.

“This investment by the Heritage Lottery Fund is very welcome. It is yet another vote of confidence in this transformational which we, along with our partners in Design Dundee are working very hard to see come to fruition.”

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Dundee’s constituency MSPs have today [26th] welcomed the news that  Dundee University beat Loughborough, Sheffield, Oxford and Cambridge to the top spot in the Times Higher Education (THE) survey on the quality of the student experience after having come fifth in the UK overall last year.

Joe FitzPatrick, who has tabled a motion at the Scottish Parliament, said: “I welcome the success of Dundee University in the survey, which is really a huge vote of confidence in the institution, the campus and the city too as all these aspects come into the survey.

“Not only do both our universities have world-wide reputations for excellence, students are voting with their feet in coming here.

“They recognise that the Dundee campus offers them the best facilities and the best quality of student life in the UK.”

Dundee City East MSP Shona Robison said: “Both of our universities in Dundee continue to attract students from all over the world which reflects on the standing and the reputation they enjoy in the academic world.

“Both institutions have invested in improving the student facilities and the quality of life which Dundee offers is simply the best in the UK.

As a city we have a high proportion of students, with campus facilities at three leading institutions and therefore student life in Dundee is an exciting, stimulating and vibrant part of the educational experience.

“Our congratulations go to the Principal and staff of the university on winning top spot in this survey.”

Joe FitzPatrick has tabled a motion at the Scottish Parliament (text below).

MOTION

Date of Lodging: 26^th April 2012

Short Title: Top Award for University of Dundee

S4M-02711 Joe FitzPatrick (Scottish National Party):

That the parliament congratulates the University of Dundee on being rated as the best in the UK for student experience as surveyed by The Times Higher Education; is pleased that the University of Dundee has been recognised for its commitment to students both academically and in all other areas of student life; further believes that these results are a testament to the redevelopment of much of the University’s main campus over the past 5 years, a result of the Scottish Governments sustained level of funding for Scotland’s institutes of Higher Education; is optimistic that the result in this survey will benefit the University in attracting new students to the city; continues to support the institute in future endeavours to consolidate its reputation not just across the UK, but across the world as an excellent place in which to study; further considers that as Dundee seeks to promote itself as a modern forward looking city, this news is a welcome boost to the whole city.

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Dundee City Council Leader Ken Guild and many SNP Councillors and Candidates for the Council Elections were joined by MP Stewart Hosie and MSP Joe FitzPatrick yesterday [Saturday 7th April] in the city centre collecting signatures from the public supporting action on ‘fair fuel’.   

Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick said: “This is a key issue for the SNP and clearly we have the support of the public. Today we collected hundreds of signatures and were overwhelmed with the public response. Rising fuel prices affects everyone and puts up the cost of living across society.

“The public is crying out for action and the Treasury must listen. There is no excuse for raking in this vast amount of additional duty without making any attempt to introduce a fairer and more stable system of duty regulation to prevent price spikes at the pumps for the motorist, the haulage industry and households. ”  

Dundee East and SNP Treasury spokesman Stewart Hosie said: “We have been calling for a fuel duty regulator for years so that we can stabilise the prices at the pumps and regulate the amount of tax which the Treasury rakes in.

“Petrol prices at the pumps are now over 140p per litre with diesel over 146p. It is a scandal that in oil-rich Scotland we are paying some of the highest fuel prices in Europe and most of the price is comprised of duty paid to the UK Treasury.

“It is nothing short of highway robbery. Both the Tories and Lib Dems promised action before the election and have failed to deliver.

“If Westminster will not act, the powers must be transferred to Scotland so that we can take action. In the meantime we will introduce an Amendment to the UK Budget Bill calling for the Chancellor to make good his promises and bring in a fuel duty regulator.”

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Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick today encouraged young people to take advantage of a scheme which offers training opportunities and to contact their local Skills Development Scotland or Jobcentre Plus offices to find out about opportunities in their area.

The MSP was commenting following a statement by Scotland’s Minister for Youth Employment Angela Constance that the ‘training for all scheme’ is now active and every 16 to 19-year-old in Scotland will be guaranteed an offer of a place in education or training.

Joe FitzPatrick said: “Prolonged periods of unemployment can be very damaging on our young people, particularly if they’re unable to improve their employability or skills or build their experience.

“The message to young people is if you are not currently in education or have a training place, then help is available.

“You can find out more about opportunities in your area and how to take advantage of them by contacting your local Skills Development Scotland or Jobcentre Plus offices.”

“The scheme, which involves £30m in investment, aims to provide skills that could lead to employment.

“The Scottish government’s pledge on training is the first of its kind in Scotland and builds on the impetus to existing activity being taken forward through the 16+ Learning Choices, Post 16 Education Reform and our record achievement on Modern Apprenticeships.

“It represents an unprecedented commitment to young people and forms a central part of our work to tackle youth unemployment in Scotland.”

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MSP for Dundee City West Joe FitzPatrick performed the official cutting-the-ribbon ceremony to open a new Boots store in the Kingsway West Retail Park.

Joe said: “I am delighted to open this new Boots store today. The decision by well-known retailer and leading pharmacy Boots to invest in the retail park is welcome news. The fact that this investment is taking place in tough economic times makes it all the more valuable, and the boost of 25 new jobs is very welcome.”

“In addition to the retail products provided, Boots’ role as a community pharmacy means it also serves an important public health role. The new store will provide greater access to the key community pharmacy services that Boots provide.”

Senior management from Boots attended the event including Andrew Caplan, Divisional Director Scotland & London for Boots UK and Paul Mitchell, North and East Scotland Manager, to celebrate the opening of the new store along with store manager Kirsty McClennan and new staff members.

The new 723 sq metre store offers customers a broad range of lifestyle products including toiletries, healthcare and baby products. Boots UK will also be a running a pharmacy service providing advice and information from the qualified pharmacists and healthcare team on site.  In the future Boots UK hopes to be able to dispense NHS prescriptions from the store and an application has been submitted to the local health board.

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Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick has welcomed the decision of Dundee City Council’s Licensing Committee today that organisers of all free-to-enter events will be exempt from the need to apply for a licence after 1^st April.

The potential impact of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 had been the subject of some speculation, although the City Council’s Licensing Convenor had stated prior to the meeting that a “pragmatic approach” would be taken to a change in the rules due to come into effect next month.

Commenting, Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick said: “The legislation that was recently brought in sought to deal with large free to enter public events.

“Previously, Councils were not able to licence such free events, even when thousands of people turned up and this resulted in significant costs for the public purse. That needed to be addressed.”

“The changes will enable local Councillors to decide what events need a licence and what events do not. I welcome Dundee City Council’s Licensing Committee’s decision today.

“The new legislation empowers local Councillors and I have every faith that they will exercise these powers responsibly.”

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Joe at today's announcement by Scotland Transport Minister Keith Brown at Dundee Station

Dundee’s constituency MSPs today welcomed an announcement by  Scotland’s Transport Minister Keith Brown today that there will be no cross-border train ‘hub’ and instead plans will be put forward for enhancements to the service.

Joe FitzPatrick welcomed today’s announcement and said: “Direct rail services between Scotland and England will continue without passengers having to change at Edinburgh for journeys to Dundee and other stations further north.

“It is also good news that Scotland will be having more say in the east coast franchise negotiations next year.

Shona Robison said: “We have previously urged passengers and the public to participate in Transport Scotland’s Rail2014 consultation ahead of the next franchise.

“The Rail2014 consultation set out to ensure rail users in Scotland were given a voice in how their service develops.

“We’re pleased to hear of the continuation of direct cross-border services for Dundee and stations the north of Scotland.

“We strongly support the Scottish Government’s vision of an attractive rail service an accessible and affordable  option for as many people as possible.”

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Joe launches the first event, the 6 Mile Run, in front of Camperdown House. 2nd picture: L-R: Ross McGuire (Sports Development), Cllr Bob Duncan, (Leisure and Culture Dundee) Jamie McBrearty (Sports Development) Audrey White (Sports Development Manager) Alastair Wood Allen, Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Maureen Gold (Co-Chair Sport Dundee), Margaret Llanwarne (Running Sisters)

More than 500 local runners who had registered to take part in several Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Events at Camperdown Park took advantage of the splendid weather today [Sunday 25th] to do sponsored runs of various lengths begining with a six mile run and a one mile event in honour of local legend Jenny Wood-Allen.

Speaking at the starting line, the MSP said: “The hardwork of participants today will help a whole host of charities to continue to support the most vulnerable in our society and across the world and you should all be proud of the contribution that you are making and your work in raising funds in the weeks and months leading up to today.

“Jenny’s story serves to emphasise the beneficial impact that sport can have, not just on our health and fitness, but also as a way of raising funds for charities that serve our communities both at home and abroad. As Scotland prepares to host the Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games which my colleague Shona Robison is taking forward as Sports Minister, we all have an opportunity to become more involved in sport and improve our health.”

Runners were supporting a broad range of worthwhile causes including Save the Children, Children’s Hospice Association Scotland and Dundee City Disability Sport, as well as all those supported by Sport Relief itself and the event attracted over 200 spectators overall.

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Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick today welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court which removed the final legal impediments to ASDA moving ahead with construction of its new superstore at Wester Gourdie.

Joe said:  “I am delighted that ASDA have now got the go ahead and that, after necessary roadworks and site preparations are completed the construction phase and the city will soon see the 200 jobs boost to the local construction industry and the 480 new jobs at the store – that it will bring.

Commenting on the interim period between the company first applying to Dundee City Council to build a new store, the local MSP said: “I held meetings with the company in September 2009 on their original application and our main purpose then was to secure guarantees on the two existing ASDA stores at Milton and Kirkton and that the Wester Gourdie one would not be at the expense of the 800 jobs in the other store.

“It quickly became clear that it was to be an additional superstore and we welcomed the boost which it would give to the city.

“However, since then, we have been watching the legal wrangles over the applications to build the store – store wars – which to many have seemed to be all about commercial rivalry. We have always been aware that the community of Charleston and the West End wanted this store. A number of residents made their feelings known in the consultation process so the protracted legal delays were frustrating but at least we can now see some light ahead.”

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