To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the digital prescribing and dispensing pathways programme. (S6O-02192)

I thank the minister for that answer.

Last week, I met a group of local general practitioners who told me about technical problems that they are having in using the electronic system, which have resulted in patients waiting for paper prescriptions that GPs need to print and sign. They also asked about potential expansion of the programme to secondary care patients, who need to wait for paper prescriptions from hospital doctors. Can the minister confirm whether the programme will be progressed in order to alleviate the burden on general practices and hospitals?

To ask the Scottish Government what its strategy is for protecting autistic women from sexual violence. (S6O-02142)

A recent report revealed that 90 per cent of autistic women are victims of sex attacks, but very few of those are reported to the police. The Scottish Women’s Autism Network has teamed up with Police Scotland to raise awareness and create strategies to help that situation. Does the minister believe that an early diagnosis of their condition would help women to cope and might prevent them from becoming victims in the first place?

I am pleased to be speaking in this debate for global intergenerational week and thank my colleague Christine Grahame for bringing it to the chamber. I, too, welcome the new ministers to the front bench.

There has never been more need for intergenerational working. During the pandemic, we saw in practice just how effective generations working together can be, with young people at the forefront of helping older people in their community.

Intergenerational week first took place in 2020 as a local campaign by St Monica Trust. Following its success, it grew into a national campaign in 2021, before it went on to become the global campaign that it is now. The campaign is led by Generations Working Together, which is an intergenerational charity that is based—I am happy to say—in Scotland. Eight countries—including America, Spain, Australia and Sweden—take part alongside partners from every nation in the United Kingdom.

More than 150 organisations have registered their support for global intergenerational week and that number continues to grow. It is through intergenerational practice that younger and older generations are able to come together and learn from each other. I was very close to my gran and I carry her influence and wisdom with me every day. One of the highlights for my late father-in-law, who died at the age of 99, was when local schoolchildren came to visit his care home. That and the regular therapy dog cheered everyone up.

I attended the first intergenerational meeting in my constituency of Strathkelvin and Bearsden in 2020, and was impressed by the passion and commitment of everyone, young and old.

One example of intergenerational practice could be the older generation and local communities helping to teach younger generations how to cook. We adults sometimes take that skill for granted as cooking is often learned from older generations in families and passed down as the foundation for a better quality of life.

As we heard from Christine Grahame and Carol Mochan, sharing skills can help both generations, the young and the not so young. Today, passing on information technology skills is a great way of bringing generations together. I know that I have enlisted the help of my son and grandchildren on many occasions.

Crucially, intergenerational practice is one way in which we can help to fight the growing epidemic of loneliness in our communities. It is estimated that around 500,000 older people can go five or even six days without speaking to or seeing anyone at all, and the number of people over the age of 50 who are experiencing loneliness is set to reach 2 million by 2025-26. That is a 49 per cent increase on the 2016-17 figures. I am sure that we all agree that that needs to change.

East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action, which is a fantastic organisation that is based in Kirkintilloch, runs a highly successful befriending service, which has proved to be a lifeline to young and old. One older resident loved to watch horror movies but had no one to share her interest, so she was matched up with a young volunteer who shared her love of the genre and once a week they watched a movie of their choice—a perfect example of intergenerational success.

I am pleased that the Scottish Government is committed to tackling loneliness and isolation across all generations in Scotland. Generations Working Together is a national charity and the centre of excellence in intergenerational training that delivers training to communities. It is crucial that no one in any community in Scotland feels isolated or lonely. That is not the society that we want for our wonderful nation.

I strongly encourage all members to encourage intergenerational practice across their constituencies and regions, and to raise further awareness of global intergenerational work in the areas of Scotland they represent. It is important that we have a Scotland where individuals and communities are more connected, and that everyone has the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships regardless of age, status, circumstances or identity.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Can I check that my vote was cast?

Twechar, in my constituency, has been without a GP surgery since 2019. The ever-growing village is in a semi-rural area on the border between East Dunbartonshire and North Lanarkshire. The only option for residents is to register in the one practice in Kilsyth or in one of the two practices in Kirkintilloch, which are both some miles away.

Does the cabinet secretary agree that residents deserve a better service than that and that the HSCPs and health boards in the two local authority areas should work together to find an acceptable solution?

To ask the Scottish Government when it last assessed access to GP services in rural areas. (S6O-02058)

This is a momentous day for at least 60,000 mothers who were forced to give up their child, not least Marion McMillan and the other brave campaigners who have spent their lives fighting that heartbreaking injustice. Does the First Minister agree that that dark period in our history should never be forgotten and should inspire progressive policies, to ensure that nothing like it ever happens again?

As we approach the 10-year anniversary of Police Scotland, it is important to recognise its achievements since 2013, but it is equally important to consider what the next steps of reform are. Does the cabinet secretary agree that utilising evolving digital technologies, such as the digital evidence sharing capability—DESC—service in Dundee, could make a big difference to police officer workloads, in particular?