Chamber and committees

Does it seem to you to be reasonable that women who might be back living in Scotland now but who were in England at the time of mesh removal will be excluded from eligibility?

Just to be clear, are women given options to consider when they go away? Does that play a big part in the decision in the second consultation? Do they have real input in that?

It is good to see you, cabinet secretary. It was reassuring to hear many of your answers to the questions from Sandesh Gulhane, Gillian Mackay and David Torrance, and it was good to get reassurance on David Torrance’s question about additional funding being available if required. I would like to confirm the position and to be clear. Some of the on-going treatment costs for women are for multiple corrective procedures that are required. I take it that they would also be covered and that it would be ensured that those costs were reimbursed.

That is great. Gillian Mackay mentioned trust, which is a huge thing for the women. It is important for their views and their expertise in their condition to be taken seriously. I know that you have engaged with the women, but are engagement and discussions with them continuing as we go through the process?

This is not directly related to the bill, but it is important for the women concerned that we learn from what has happened. This is not the first time that women have felt like they have not been listened to, believed or respected. Looking at the situation from that point of view, and thinking about the impact on the mental health of professionals and their families, which can be devastating, will there be an opportunity later to take a holistic view of all the learning points and possibly to embed them into learning, including for health professionals during their initial training and for their development?

What further detail is required on eligibility for the scheme? Is there anything more that we should look at?

Earlier, we heard about the importance of trust and there was mention of the fact that there is now a full complement of staff with the required expertise at the specialist centres. We heard from women today—some of whom have been treated by Dr Veronikis—that NHS imaging often cannot see mesh because it is placed behind the bone, and that Dr Veronikis has designed and developed new specialist surgical tools. Have our specialist centres considered those issues and developments? Have lessons been learned and incorporated into the processes? That would be a step in the right direction in re-establishing trust.

That is great. It is good to know that we are looking at what success looks like and taking forward the collaboration and engagement.

I want to ask about class contact time. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report raised the issue of preparation and planning. Will that have an impact on the attainment gap? Will there be a focus on that?

I will pick up on the comments about the wellbeing and confidence of children.

Michael Marra talked about data. The Audit Scotland report on education outcomes noted that better data is needed to understand whether outcomes such as wellbeing and confidence are improving. It was mentioned that a survey will come out in December. What plans are there to work with stakeholders to develop and publish consistent and robust national data that reflects those priorities of health, wellbeing and confidence? Will that be built into the national framework through its being updated to reflect that data and the fact that it is a priority that impacts outcomes?

I want to ask about the poverty-related attainment gap. What lessons have been learned from the 2020-21 session? What plans do you have to incorporate those lessons? What longer-term strategies are you considering?