Chamber and committees

That the Parliament recognises the life-saving role of the Fontan procedure for children born with complex congenital heart disease and a single-ventricle circulation; notes that the Fontan operation is a form of open-heart surgery, which enables oxygen-poor blood returning from the lower body to bypass the heart and flow directly to the blood vessels of the lungs, separating oxygen-poor and oxygen-rich blood and significantly improving oxygen levels throughout the body; recognises that, following Fontan surgery, many children experience improved oxygenation, energy and quality of life, allowing them to survive into adulthood; further recognises, however, that the Fontan circulation is a form of palliation rather than a cure and that people living with it require lifelong specialist surveillance and multidisciplinary care; notes what it sees as the growing current and foreseeable clinical needs of people in Coatbridge and Chryston and across Scotland who are living with Fontan circulation and complex congenital heart disease; understands that international prevalence data suggest that between 300 and 400 individuals in Scotland currently live with it, with adult survival now up to 90%, resulting in a growing adult population at increasing risk of Fontan-associated complications and multi-organ disease; notes that complications can include progressive heart failure, arrhythmias, protein-losing enteropathy, plastic bronchitis, kidney dysfunction and liver disease, with up to 50% of adult Fontan patients developing clinically significant liver disease; understands that approximately 20 to 30% might ultimately require multi-organ transplantation such as heart, liver and/or lung transplants; believes that the increasing number of adults living with Fontan circulation represents a significant and evolving clinical need for NHS Scotland; notes with concern that Scotland currently lacks a dedicated national pathway for failing Fontan circulation and complex congenital heart disease requiring transplantation, resulting in some patients being referred outwith the country, most commonly to specialist centres in England; recognises the physical, emotional, financial and logistical burden that this can place on patients and families, including prolonged separation, fragmented continuity of care and ongoing cross-border follow-up requirements; notes what it sees as the absence of a formalised Scottish shared care model for post-transplant surveillance and long-term management; acknowledges Scotland’s existing strengths, including the Scottish Adult Congenital Cardiac Service (SACCS), established heart transplant infrastructure at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital, experienced cardiothoracic surgical programmes and national service planning capability; believes that these existing strengths provide a strong foundation for developing a coordinated Scottish Fontan service; further believes that there is a strategic opportunity to develop a national Scottish Fontan hub to provide structured lifelong surveillance, early identification of Fontan-associated complications, multidisciplinary assessment, risk stratification, transplant planning and coordination, and post-transplant shared care; considers that such a model could improve patient safety, equity of access, continuity of care and clinical outcomes, while supporting the principle of providing specialist care as close to home as clinically appropriate; notes the view that, in the context of any future changes to the organisation or provision of specialist health services in Scotland, particular consideration should be given to the arrangements required to ensure continued access to specialist transplant centres in England for patients from Scotland, where clinically appropriate, and notes the view that clear and sustainable cross-border pathways should form an important part of the long-term planning for Fontan and complex congenital heart disease services, and acknowledges the calls on the Scottish Government to engage with NHS Scotland, SACCS leadership, transplant centres, relevant clinical specialists and patients and families affected by Fontan circulation to undertake a feasibility assessment for the development of a national Fontan hub and structured complex congenital heart disease transplant pathway, including consideration of workforce planning, specialist training, infrastructure, cross-border arrangements, research and data collection, and the long-term sustainability of the service.

That the Parliament notes the launch of the National Quality Service Standards (NQSS) by Scottish Women’s Aid; understands that the NQSS is an accreditation framework for specialist services supporting those affected by domestic abuse, which has been developed by Scottish Women’s Aid in partnership with its network, survivors and sector experts and is due to be launched on 29 October 2026; notes that organisations, such as the Aberdeen Donside-based Grampian Women’s Aid, have already received accreditation; believes that the NQSS framework ensures that every woman and child accessing support from Scottish Women’s Aid receives consistent, reliable, compassionate and high-quality support, no matter where they are, their background or their circumstances; understands that services looking to achieve accreditation must complete a formal, five-stage, assessment process, providing evidence of how they meet each standard, with the decision then being made by an expert panel; commends the work carried out by Scottish Women’s Aid in developing this accreditation to ensure that every woman and child receives the same level, standard and quality of support, and wishes it every success with the uptake of the accreditation.

That the Parliament welcomes the award of £1.2 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to the Buckhaven Heritage project; understands that the project, led by Fife Council in partnership with Fife Historic Buildings Trust, aims to deliver heritage-led regeneration in Buckhaven, celebrating the town’s historic buildings and creating new opportunities for local people; notes that the project is supported by a local partnership board, including Autism Rocks, the Community Trade Hub and Buckhaven and Denbeath Community Council; recognises that the funding will support improvements to key community buildings, including Buckhaven Parish Church and the Community Trade Hub, alongside enhancements to green spaces, the restoration of historic features and initiatives celebrating the town’s fishing, mining and social history; particularly welcomes the planned traditional skills training programme, which will provide young people with opportunities to develop skills in stonework, joinery and conservation, as well as pathways into further training and employment; acknowledges the important contribution of National Lottery players in supporting heritage projects across Scotland, and commends all organisations and community partners involved in securing this significant investment in Buckhaven’s heritage, regeneration and future.

That the Parliament recognises the support provided to families by the specialist respite centres for children with complex needs at Sunndach in Livingston and Calareidh in Edinburgh; commends the staff at the centres for the highly specialised care and support that they provide, which it considers a lifeline to families across the Central Scotland and Lothians West region and beyond; notes with concern that these facilities have been under review by NHS Lothian since November 2024; understands that the NHS board has agreed to pause any decision regarding the future of these services pending further meaningful engagement with affected families, and notes calls on NHS Lothian to reinstate and maintain a full service at both Sunndach and Calareidh to ensure that families of children with complex needs can continue to have access to this vital support, both now and in the future.

That the Parliament notes with concern Loganair's announcement that it will end all services from Dundee Airport on 23 October 2026, including the public service obligation route to London Heathrow, which has operated since 2014, and its links to Kirkwall and Sumburgh; understands that Loganair is currently the only airline serving the airport and that its decision puts around 16 Loganair posts at risk, with wider implications for airport security, firefighting and other staff; recognises the importance of Dundee Airport to the city, the wider Tay Cities region and the north east of Scotland, including for business, tourism, higher education and the city's growing life science and digital industries; notes reports that Highlands and Islands Airports Limited has said that a review of the airport's opening hours is required; welcomes Dundee City Council's efforts to explore a replacement air link to London; calls on the Scottish Government to work urgently with the UK Government, Dundee City Council, Highlands and Islands Airports Limited and airlines to secure a replacement carrier and a sustainable London route; further calls on the Scottish Government to confirm that Dundee Airport will remain open and operational while that work is carried out, and to provide certainty and support to affected staff, and asks the Scottish Government to publish its assessment of the reasons that the route became unsustainable, including any effect of competition from Edinburgh Airport.

That the Parliament welcomes the announcement that Extracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP) is now available in Aberdeen through the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service; understands that previously, patients needing this specialist treatment had to travel to either Glasgow or Edinburgh to receive care; notes that by bringing ECP to Aberdeen means that patients have less travel, more time at home with their loved ones and a better overall treatment experience; commends the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service on bringing ECP treatment to Aberdeen, and notes the benefits that the service will have for many others across Aberdeen and the wider north east region in the years to come.

That the Parliament congratulates business owner Hannah Brown and her business, PEAT’D, on being awarded the STV-supported Growth EDGE Award, comprising £70,000 and £75,000 worth of advertising airtime; understands that Hannah spent 12 years working in the whisky industry and has used her knowledge of peat smoking to create a peat-smoked tomato sauce which, it believes, is unlike any other; recognises this achievement, and wishes Hannah and everyone involved with PEAT'D all the best for the future.

That the Parliament recognises Professor Lorna Swan, Director of Medical Education and Consultant Cardiologist at NHS Golden Jubilee in Clydebank, on receiving the title of Honorary Professor; understands that the University of Glasgow has awarded the title in recognition of Professor Swan’s leadership in clinical education and her dedication to advancing the next generation of healthcare professionals; further understands that Professor Swan has extensive research experience in the management of cardiovascular disease in pregnancy, and celebrates what it sees as worthy recognition of our NHS consultants by esteemed Scottish universities.

That the Parliament recognises that the NHS Golden Jubilee hospital in Clydebank has received the accolade of being the highest-rated hospital in the UK; understands that the hospital received an average rating of 4.71 out of 5 based on Google reviews; welcomes these reviews as reflective of patients' experiences; recognises the expertise, dedication and care of staff at the NHS Golden Jubilee Hospital, and congratulates them on this achievement.

That the Parliament congratulates Emma Ruxton of the Royal Northern Countryside Initiative (RNCI) on winning the Rural Champion Award at the Helping It Happen Awards 2026; notes that 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the awards, which are organised by Scottish Land & Estates, and that the award came with a £10,000 prize, provided by The Royal Countryside Fund, to support the charity's activities; understands that RNCI engaged with almost 20,000 children and young people across northern Scotland in the 2024-25 academic year; recognises Emma's contribution over the past decade to supporting young people's understanding of farming, food production, and the working countryside; commends the farmers, businesses and volunteers who support RNCI's farm visits and classroom activities, and wishes Emma and RNCI continued success.