12th July 2007
Anger as Minister Refuses to Ban Fertility
Treatment for Addicts
Public Health Minister, Shona Robison,
has sparked outrage by refusing to ban fertility treatment for drug addicts.
MSP
for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, had demanded that national action be
taken following revelations that drug addicts had received fertility treatment
on the NHS.
But
the Minister has snubbed these calls, telling Mr McNeil that there are no plans
to change the current guidelines for access to IVF treatment and that the
Executive would not be taking the lead. “It
is up to each individual NHS Board in Scotland to follow and apply the
guidance,” her written answer to Mr McNeil states dismissively.
Mr
McNeil said:
“The
Minister is showing all the leadership skills of an ostrich.
She needs to take her head out of the sand and take the plight of these
children seriously.
“Is
she seriously saying that it’s okay for hardworking couples in a safe, stable
home to be denied fertility treatment, while public money is spent bringing
children into the dangerous and chaotic world of drug addiction?
So why is she refusing to put a stop to it?
“They’re
quick enough to check your weight, if you like a drink, if you smoke, even how
tight your underpants are – but not if you’re a drug addict?
“If
you’re overweight, or you like a drink, or you smoke, then all you’ll get
from the medical profession is the third degree about cleaning up your act.
But if you’re
“Greater
Glasgow and Clyde health board is to be congratulated for taking this issue
seriously and moving swiftly to launch a high-level investigation. At
the very least, won’t the Minister pledge that the lessons which Glasgow
learns will be implemented across Scotland?
If it’s wrong in Glasgow, then surely it’s wrong in Dundee too.”
ENDS
Back to Current Press Releases
[ HOME ] [ News ] [ Report to the People ] [ Interact ] [ Links ] [ E-Mail ]
[ Copyright ] [ Directgov ] [ Scottish Parliament ]