Chamber and committees

As an amendment to motion S6M-07367 in the name of George Adam (Revision to Business Programme), leave out “4.30 pm Decision Time” and insert—

“followed by Ministerial Statement: NHS Strikes

followed by Ministerial Statement: Curriculum for Excellence Achievement Statistics

5.30 pm Decision Time”.

As an amendment to motion S6M-07367 in the name of George Adam (Revision to Business Programme), after

"12.00 pm First Minister’s Questions

insert"

leave out—

"followed by Stage 3 Debate: Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill"

and insert

"followed by Ministerial Statement: NHS Strikes

followed by Ministerial Statement: Curriculum for Excellence Achievement Statistics”.

That the Parliament agrees to the following revisions to the programme of business for—

(a) Wednesday 21 December 2022—

delete

3.15 pm Portfolio Questions: Rural Affairs and Islands; Health and Social Care; Social Justice, Housing and Local Government

followed by Stage 3 Debate: Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill

delete

followed by Members’ Business — S6M-07192 Douglas Ross: Maternity Services at Dr Gray's

(b) Thursday 22 December 2022—

after

12.00 pm First Minister's Questions

insert

followed by Stage 3 Debate: Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill

followed by Portfolio Questions: Rural Affairs and Islands; Health and Social Care; Social Justice, Housing and Local Government

delete

1.15 pm Decision Time

and insert

4.30 pm Decision Time

followed by Members’ Business — S6M-07192 Douglas Ross: Maternity Services at Dr Gray's

That the Parliament congratulates the 20 community nurses and midwives, who have been awarded the prestigious title of Queens’s Nurse at the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland Awards ceremony on 2 December 2022; further congratulates Laura McCann and Colette Fotheringham of NHS Forth Valley, Robert Campbell of NHS Lanarkshire and Elizabeth Briody from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde from within the Central Scotland region; understands that Queen’s Nursing in Scotland dates back to the late 19th century, when nurses completed specific training, which allowed them to work as district nurses, where they provided healthcare and health promotion to people in their own homes and became well respected figures within their community; further understands that, after a hiatus following the introduction of the national certificate for district nursing in 1969, it was reintroduced in 2017 where 20 nurses are chosen to take part in a transformational development programme, which would represent the range of contemporary community nursing and midwifery roles in place today; notes that nurses are selected for their clinical expertise and compassionate care; further notes that they then complete a nine-month programme, where they choose an issue for development, which, they believe, will have a significant impact on those they care for, and wishes the winning Queen’s Nurses all the best in their future endeavours.

That the Parliament celebrates the success of Hamza Yassin on being crowned Strictly Come Dancing winner 2022; understands that the TV presenter and cameraman impressed judges week in, week out, alongside dancing partner Jowita Przystal during the 2022 competition, eventually coming out on top of his competitors, and lifting the famous Strictly Come Dancing glitterball trophy; notes that Yassin, who was born in Sudan, has lived in Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan peninsula for 11 years, and is a regular face on Countryfile, Animal Park, and CBeebies, and has presented a number of other wildlife shows; believes that Yassin received significant public support throughout the competition, particularly after performing an Afrobeats-inspired dance, with dance schools and studios across the UK reporting an uptake in interest in this genre of dance classes, and praising his impact; congratulates Hamza Yassin on what it considers this significant achievement and all his hard work, and wishes him the very best of luck in the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour, which commences January 2023.

That the Parliament recognises that a Santa Run presented by the Neilston Players will once again occur on Christmas Eve in 2022; understands that, since 2016, the Neilston Players, a community drama group, has taken on responsibility for the organisation of the long-standing annual Santa Run for the benefit of the children of Neilston and Uplawmoor; further understands that the Santa Run entails Neilston Players members helping Santa Claus stop at several locations within Neilston and Uplawmoor to meet with local children; celebrates that, unlike the previous two years, the Santa Run will return to its normal format of face-to-face meetings between Santa and the children; further celebrates that the members of the Neilston Players dedicate their time and talent to producing, not only the Santa Run, but a much loved and anticipated annual pantomime for their local community, and wishes them the very best for Christmas Eve and their future shows.

That the Parliament commends Cambusnethan Talbot Red’s 2012 on its fundraising event to provide gifts to children with life-limiting illnesses through the Les Hoey MBE DreamMaker Foundation; understands that the club raised money through a World Cup 2022 predictor game, allowing them to buy individual and personalised gifts; welcomes what it sees as this act of kindness, and thanks all the team, coaches and parents, along with the Les Hoey MBE DreamMaker Foundation for their support within the community.

That the Parliament congratulates Glencairn Primary School on its 120th anniversary; understands that the school was officially opened in 1902 by Lord Hamilton of Dalzell; further understands that, during the celebrations, P7 pupils read extracts from the first school logbook and described the school journey from the early years to the present day; understands that this included that in 1974 a group of pupils with hearing impairments were taught by Teachers of the Deaf and only integrated with other pupils in the dinner hall and playground, and that this was the case until 1984, when the new head teacher decided on a policy of total integration of pupils to ensure inclusiveness and equality for all, regardless of hearing ability; commends the outstanding dedication shown by the staff to the pupils, parents and carers; acknowledges what it sees as the important role that the school has played over the past 120 years to the local community, and wishes staff and pupils all the best for the future.

That the Parliament understands that what it sees as the progressive approach taken by Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions in committing to a care experience guarantee, has been hailed by a new report, What is the Experience of Students from a Care Background in Education?, which was published by Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) on 30 November 2022, and highlights what it sees as the positive impact this guarantee has had on students with care experience; notes that, according to the report, the proportion of care experienced applicants has more than tripled over the last five years; understands that, since 2019, Scotland’s universities have operated a system of minimum entry requirements in their admissions processes for applicants who apply from socio-economically disadvantaged areas; further understands that Scotland’s universities also commit to offering an undergraduate place to any care experienced applicant who meets the minimum entry requirements; believes that Scotland’s universities are leading the way across the UK in their commitment to widening access to university to underrepresented students, including students with experience of care, and understands that Scotland’s universities have achieved this by reaching the interim targets for access set by the Scottish Government’s Commission for Widening Access in its report, A Blueprint for Fairness: Final Report of the Commission on Widening Access, which was published on 14 March 2016, with 16% of entrants coming from Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD20) backgrounds in 2021. 

That the Parliament commends Ashley McCaig from Newmains on bringing Christmas cheer to the village and raising funds for St Andrew’s Hospice; understands that Ashley converted her garden into a winter wonderland, collected donations, and sold raffle tickets for the St Andrew’s Winter Raffle; notes that the hospice provides specialist palliative care to people living with life-limiting illnesses, and that its mission, which is to provide support not only for patients, but also for their loved ones and carers, is central to its ethos; thanks Ashley and all those who donated, and wishes them, and St Andrew’s Hospice, all the best for the future.