To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on the culture sector and livelihoods of the reported closure of Creative Scotland’s open fund for individuals due to budgetary constraints. (S6T-02065)

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to tackle any inappropriate care and overcrowding in national health service emergency departments. (S6O-03648)

On an average evening at 10 pm, more than 10 per cent of patients across Scotland’s emergency departments are being treated in corridors, because of a lack of space. Worryingly, more than half the emergency departments that were surveyed had patients in corridors. Delayed discharge also continues to be a concern. Last year, Shona Robison said:

“we remain ... committed to eradicating delayed discharge.”—[Official Report, 21 September 2023; c 13.]

One year on, are we any further forward in giving back to patients the dignity and respect that they deserve?

I am pleased to speak in the debate, which marks action mesothelioma day 2024, and I thank Marie McNair for bringing this important members’ business debate to the chamber once again, for the third year in a row.

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer, and it is one of the most important issues that I have dealt with in my role as co-convener—along with the other co-convener, Emma Harper—of the cross-party group on lung health. I therefore welcome the fact that members have the opportunity to speak on this issue before the action day takes place on 5 July.

As we have heard, the disease affects households and individuals across the whole of Scotland and the United Kingdom, but certain areas have historically been far more affected. For example, statistics published by the Health and Safety Executive show that Fife, which is part of my region, is one of the areas with a high prevalence of the disease, and almost 500 people there have died from the condition since 1981. That is a large number of individuals.

The help and advice that are provided by support groups operating in communities across Scotland are key to taking on the issue. Marie McNair spoke about the individuals from Clydebank Asbestos Group, in her constituency, and I, too, am delighted to see that some of them have come here this afternoon. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the fantastic work that the group does in supporting individuals.

Likewise, I pay tribute to an organisation in my region, Breathe Easy Clackmannanshire, based in Alloa, which supports the work of the British Lung Foundation and provides services for those facing lung-related health issues. Just last year, the group launched its befriending service, which allows it to reach out to individuals who are unable to attend some Breathe Easy sessions in person, as the service gives people who are housebound the opportunity to have a connection and to be involved. All too often, sufferers feel that they are on their own, and it is important for as many people as possible to know that support is just a phone call away, giving them moral support in facing the condition and assuring them that they are not on their own.

We know that the disease does not just affect a victim’s physical health; it takes a toll on their mental wellbeing, too. The support and empathy that small dedicated organisations provide, in towns and cities right across Scotland, is vital in the fight against the disease.

In increasing awareness of the disease and its effects, it is important that we have initiatives such as the action day. Too often, we hear stories of individuals who do not speak up or seek help, dismissing their pains or symptoms as not being of a serious nature, but they then find that it is too late to get things done. The Parliament has a role to play in increasing awareness.

We must continue to advocate policies that can better protect people from asbestos exposure, and we must continue to educate the public on the dangers of the condition. There are many steps that need to taken and put in place, such as better support for patients, more focused research and improved safety regulations. Those will happen only if the Parliament continues to make its voice heard. Indeed, I pay tribute to Marie McNair for being one of the voices year on year.

I welcome today’s debate, and I join other members in pushing for further action on the issue. It is important to each and every one of us that we protect and support our constituents in our regions and constituencies from this awful condition.

Following Covid and the world’s worst cholera epidemic in 20 years, the emergency medical service in Malawi requires—now more than ever—that robust and resilient emergency systems be in place. What action can be taken to ensure that the funding that was awarded in the past can be replicated?

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not connect. I would have voted yes.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app is still unable to open. I would have voted yes.

The international development policy has highlighted some real opportunities. When it comes to managing the process, we have been talking about the soft power as well as the hard power that we have, but one area that we could think about is how we are developing and extending the development goals to inform refreshment of the national performance framework. Where does the balance sit in that respect? How can we ensure not only that we have this policy but that it develops within the national performance framework?

As I think that you have said, cabinet secretary, the evaluation will be vital so that we can see exactly what we are achieving, but the question is whether we are managing to engage with civil society to ensure that they feel part of the equation, too. You have itemised a number of things, and you have given us a strategy and a policy in a particular format, but there must also be engagement, participation and a process to ensure that, at the end of the day, we are achieving what we have set out to achieve. Elements of that still have to be clarified and adapted, but I would say as a member of the committee that we are managing the process in a relatively good way at this stage.

Thank you.