Chamber and committees

I thank the panel members for being here. It was reassuring to hear the cabinet secretary set out such a clear commitment and focus on taking women’s lived experience into account and making sure that there is equitable access across the country. The cabinet secretary has answered what would have been my first question, which was about where the boards are with that recommendation.

What is the Scottish Government doing to improve waiting times for perinatal mental health services and to align them with the timescales of pregnancy? Have the thresholds for referral to specialist mental health services changed because of the increased demand?

That is good, and that information is positive. Have the thresholds for referral changed due to the increased demand? What supports are in place while people are waiting for referrals to come through?

Yes. I thank Paul Mitchell and Leon Thompson for their answers.

I agree with Ross Greer and Fergus Ewing.

I challenge the assertion that it is all about serious offences. It is certainly not. For example, often, young men who are unable to find a toilet after being out at a nightclub can end up with indecent exposure offences. I have experienced that in my work with young people.

It is important to bear in mind that we have all supported keeping the promise and that care-experienced young people are more likely to be involved with the law. The five-year period is a key time for them when they are considering employment or further training, for instance. We must give people the opportunity to move on and have success in life. Right now, care-experienced young people are statistically not nearly as likely to be successful and we must do all that we can to support their success without putting people at risk. Proper safeguards are in place.

My question is for Paul Mitchell. I am lucky because, after this meeting, I am heading over to Bellshill to meet Darren McGhee, the managing director at DMG roofing. The company is opening up an academy of roofing, which is really interesting. It has an older workforce and is looking to invest in younger people. Darren actually won the Britain’s top tradesperson award, and I know that he has been doing excellent work to promote the value of apprenticeships, and of having the qualifications and skills as a tradesperson. He is also connected with SDS and careers advisers for more than 60 schools. He offers pupils work experience tasters, which can capture the interest of young people. That is the real McCoy, with a bag of nails and materials, to attract young people and bring them on.

What can the Scottish Government do to support stronger links with schools and education that inspire our young people to consider skilled trades and a career that will be full of opportunities?

I will.

I thank the panel for coming along today. I have a question for Professor Logan. I asked Shirley-Anne Somerville a question on the subject in Parliament, noting that Skills Development Scotland and the General Teaching Council for Scotland have noted the value of bringing computer experts into the classroom to upskill teachers and pupils together on issues such as cybersecurity. A number of partners are already working with schools to introduce industry skills, and Skills Development Scotland, which is quite heavily involved in supporting that work, has established a framework that brings agencies together to help them to tackle the challenge. Is this an area that the senior steering group will be, or should be, focusing on?

A lot of women find that breastfeeding has a huge impact on their mental health. There is a need for support so that women can make informed choices about their individual circumstances. A skilled hands-on approach is important, with the right support from health professionals. What workforce training is needed to provide the practical support that women need with breastfeeding?

What impact are workforce issues having on patient care and on the ability of GPs, midwives, health visitors and others to work together effectively as a team? Last night, I spoke to some women who felt as though people all had bits of their jigsaw, but it was not necessarily coming together so that the whole picture could be seen. They found it difficult to get help as a result.

No, but I want to thank the panel for those answers. I realise that none of the witnesses necessarily has particular expertise in the area.

I absolutely agree that a happy mum means a happy baby, and supporting mums in making the right choices for their circumstances must be right at the top of the list. However, I want to point out that there is huge evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding not just for babies but right through to adulthood.