On Tuesday this week, Miles Briggs MSP asked Jeane Freeman MSP what her response was to concerns raised by the former chair of NHS Lothian regarding the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.
http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=12568&i=113612
The Cabinet Secretary for Health stated: “I stress that, on 4 July, I took the decision to halt the move. Mr Houston next met me on 18 July. At no point in the intervening period did he – the chair of a major NHS board – feel that it was incumbent upon him to contact me, as the cabinet secretary, to discuss what might have gone wrong or what should be done next and where the board should be involved.”
It has since transpired that the Cabinet Secretary for Health was contacted by Mr Houston by email on 12 July, despite Parliament being repeatedly told otherwise.
The Scottish Government have refuted that Parliament had been misled on the grounds that the email by Mr Houston did not refer to specific issues.
The correspondence from Mr Houston referred to the “RHCYP/DCN situation” as well as assurances that himself and the board were handling the situation and an offer to meet for a 1 to 1 chat prior to the meeting on the 18th July.
Scottish Conservative Health Spokesperson, Miles Briggs, said: “It truly beggars belief that while Jeane Freeman was answering allegations of lying, she misleads the Scottish Parliament.
“The Health Secretary’s transparent attempts to smear Mr Houston have been exposed for what they are.
“The truth is that Jeane Freeman simply refuses to take responsibility for the mess at the Sick Kids hospital and continues to blame everyone but herself.
“It is clear that Mr Houston did attempt to contact the Cabinet Secretary for Health prior to the 18th July, but was ignored by her, as he has been since Ms Freeman took up the post.”
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