Current status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 4 June 2007
To ask the Scottish Executive when the consultations on maternity services and laboratories by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will take place and whether the Executive will ensure that the status quo for services is one of the options available in the consultations.
NHS boards are required to consultthe public on proposals for significant changes to services. It is for NHS GreaterGlasgow and Clyde to decide on the timing of consultation on any proposals for changeto the delivery of maternity services within the Clyde area. I have made clear thatI will introduce a process of independent scrutiny of boards’ proposals before theseare consulted on publicly. The scrutiny stage would review the range of optionsto be consulted on. I am currently considering how independent scrutiny will beundertaken and will make an announcement soon.