Chamber and committees

We have seen how the pandemic has made people engage more in daily walks and in accessing the outdoors. Has there been a shift in knowledge about social prescribing because of the pandemic? We know that people have been really isolated and that telephone befriending services were therefore set up. That would be seen as social prescribing that is not about sport but about tackling isolation to support wellbeing. Has the pandemic led to an increase in awareness of social prescribing?

Thanks, convener. There was a bit of a mix of views. Some people had an absolutely excellent experience of accessing alternative pathways and for others it was the complete opposite. A lot of the challenges were about communication, how signposting is delivered and what pathways or social prescribing options are out there.

All those people defined what social prescribing meant, but it was very new to them and when they called the GP practice the receptionist could be the absolute barrier to any progress. Those were a couple of the issues that came up.

People also asked why they could not make online appointments and why they could not just get text messages to remind them when there was an appointment. They raised the issue of joined-up computer information data systems, as well.

Some of the points are the same as those that we heard in the social prescribing session that we had in the previous parliamentary session, so it will be interesting to hear everybody else’s thoughts this morning.

My final question is about community links workers. When I last looked at the data, in March 2021, 218 links workers had been registered or looked at on the Scottish Government’s website, and it looks as though we are on track to have around 323 by March this year. Community links workers are supposed to help to direct people to the alternative pathways, services and social prescribing that are out there. How can links workers’ communication on the alternative pathways and social prescribing that are available for people help to support them?

Good morning, panel. Some of the information that I was looking for has been covered by Dr Chris Williams, who talked about the benefits of ALISS.

Our briefing papers say that Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s “Care Navigation in General Practice: 10-Step Guide” recommends that individual practices collate and maintain their own lists of local service providers. GPs know their own locations, but is it realistic to expect them to collate and maintain their own databases, when programmes such as ALISS are out there? There are also regional programmes. For example, in Dumfries and Galloway, DG Locator is accessible and has an app. How do you feel about Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s recommendation that GPs keep their own database of places for social prescribing?

The inquiry is about alternative pathways to primary care. In the previous parliamentary session, the Health and Sport Committee held an inquiry about social prescribing for physical activity and sport. I am not saying that everybody needs to take up cycling and running, but we know that access to the outdoors can be beneficial, that men’s sheds can support people and that joining walking groups can be helpful. I am interested to hear from the witnesses about their experience of patients’ general attitudes towards social prescribing.

Yes.

I have a quick question. Hannah Tweed mentioned ALISS, the local information system for Scotland, which is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by the Health and Social Care Alliance. I would be interested to hear the panel’s thoughts and perceptions of how it is working, because it is a digital and online service that directs people to the social prescribing that is out there.

In relation to its report on social prescribing, which I have in front of me, Support in Mind Scotland says:

“25 to 50% of GP appointments focus on non-medical issues, such as social isolation, financial struggles and bereavement.”

I am aware of RCGP training for signposting, but does that training also cover signposting for social isolation and financial struggles? That question is for Dr Yadav or Dr Williams.

RLUPs, including those in Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders, help national and local government, communities, landowners and stakeholders to work together to find ways to optimise land use in a fair and inclusive way, as well as meeting objectives in supporting our net zero journey. Can the cabinet secretary provide any further information on how the pilot projects have worked? She has already answered the second part of my question by telling us that future funding will continue, and I thank her for that.

I congratulate my colleague Michelle Thomson on securing this extremely important debate to mark international women’s day 2022. It is so good to welcome the minister back to the front bench. As Ms Thomson’s motion states, this year’s theme is “Break the bias”, which is intended to highlight the impact of conscious and unconscious bias on women and girls, and imagine a world free of bias, stereotype and discrimination. I, too, dedicate my time to the women of Ukraine.

Everyone has a choice to challenge stereotypes. We can choose to fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate the achievements of women. It is important for us all to work to enable that to happen and to strive for gender empowerment and equality.

Members might recall that, in 2020, I secured a members’ business debate on United Nations Security Council resolution 1325, which is on women, peace and security.

The resolution specifically addresses the impact of war on women, and the importance of women as negotiators in conflict resolution and in addressing hatred and discrimination. Janet Fenton, with her Secure Scotland hat on, highlights that security is not solely about the physical security of the country but about security of housing, education, food and clean water supply. As we are seeing the horrific conflict in Ukraine—and witnessing civilian casualties—it is even more important that we highlight the value of women, including the women of Ukraine, being included in negotiations to achieve peace. That is paramount as events unfold.

Internationally, Scotland, working in partnership with the United Nations, has pledged practical and financial support for women and girls to achieve that goal and to learn peace-building and conflict resolution skills. In doing that, women and girls will feel confident in challenging war and intolerance. In a joint Scottish Government-UN programme that runs over three days and consists of talks, seminars and lessons, women and girls will have access to international peacekeeping experts, female role models in positions of power and the opportunity to learn from each other. Will the minister reaffirm the Scottish Government’s commitment to the programme, especially as we dedicate today’s debate to the women in Ukraine?

Earlier this year, I became a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK gender champion. Recently, we had our first meeting and I met other gender champion parliamentarians, including some from Tasmania, Tanzania, Gibraltar and Grenada. The purpose of the CPA gender champions is to represent and advocate for CPA UK gender priorities within our Parliaments. The priorities are: championing and advocating for gender-sensitive spaces for women to enhance their leadership skills; supporting Parliaments to implement gender-sensitive approaches; and supporting the strengthening of gender-based violence legislation. The bottom line of the role is to advance women’s rights in our roles as parliamentarians.

From the initial discussion with CPA colleagues, I realised how far the Scottish Government and our Parliament have come in our journey to advance women’s rights and inclusion in our democratic systems in Scotland. I look forward to advancing the role and I am happy to engage with colleagues from across the chamber about the CPA gender champion role.

There are many ways in which the Scottish Government is promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women. As events continue to unfold in Ukraine, it is so important to enable that. I thank members for speaking in the debate and I look forward to the minister’s response. I support continued efforts to break the bias.