Miles Briggs MSP

That the Parliament welcomes the 30th annual Linlithgow Scotch Hop, which is a programme of weekly Scottish dancing sessions that runs from 17 July to 14 August 2019 at Linlithgow Palace; notes that it is open to all age groups and abilities, including people who have not participated in Scottish dancing before, everyone across the community and visitors to the area; congratulates all involved in organising the event, and wishes everyone taking part an enjoyable and memorable experience.

That the Parliament welcomes the 30th annual Linlithgow Scotch Hop, which is a programme of weekly Scottish dancing sessions that runs from 17 July to 14 August 2019 at Linlithgow Palace; notes that it is open to all age groups and abilities, including people who have not participated in Scottish dancing before, everyone across the community and visitors to the area; congratulates all involved in organising the event, and wishes everyone taking part an enjoyable and memorable experience.

That the Parliament commends Matthew Waterston and Hannah Melville on completing their challenge, Tofino to Fife, to raise funds for St Columba’s Hospice, Alzheimer Scotland and Macmillan Cancer Support; understands that the Edinburgh-based couple cycled the equivalent of the width of Canada, 6,400 km, in 36 days and ran the length of Scotland, 290 km, in one week; acknowledges that they took up the challenge in memory of Matthew’s parents, Andrea, who was from Canada and who had skin cancer, and William, who had Parkinson’s and dementia, and congratulates Matthew and Hannah on so far raising almost £25,000 in support of these three great charities, exceeding their £20,000 target.

That the Parliament commends Matthew Waterston and Hannah Melville on completing their challenge, Tofino to Fife, to raise funds for St Columba’s Hospice, Alzheimer Scotland and Macmillan Cancer Support; understands that the Edinburgh-based couple cycled the equivalent of the width of Canada, 6,400 km, in 36 days and ran the length of Scotland, 290 km, in one week; acknowledges that they took up the challenge in memory of Matthew’s parents, Andrea, who was from Canada and who had skin cancer, and William, who had Parkinson’s and dementia, and congratulates Matthew and Hannah on so far raising almost £25,000 in support of these three great charities, exceeding their £20,000 target.

That the Parliament congratulates Samaritans Scotland on its 60th anniversary; understands that the charity marks the anniversary on 1 June 2019, 60 years to the day in 1959 that the first ever call was taken in Scotland by the Edinburgh branch; understands that, since that first call, the charity has become a leading organisation for suicide prevention, with 19 branches stretching from the Scottish Borders to the Shetland Islands; is aware that it has around 1,000 volunteers in Scotland and that the charity provides emotional support to people when they need it most via phone, email, text, letter or face-to-face conversation, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; recognises that demand for Samaritans’ services has grown considerably over the last six decades; notes that the Edinburgh branch received 550 calls in its first year, while last year the branch alone was contacted more than 45,000 times; further notes that, across Scotland, Samaritans volunteers were contacted more than 249,000 times by people in distress and crisis in 2018 and spent more than 60,000 hours providing emotional support, the equivalent of 2,500 days of listening; recognises the contribution made by past and present Samaritans volunteers in Scotland over the last six decades, and commends the charity’s work to recruit new volunteers and develop new ways of providing support so that it can continue to be there for people when they need it most and help to reduce the number of deaths by suicide in Scotland.

That the Parliament congratulates Samaritans Scotland on its 60th anniversary; understands that the charity marks the anniversary on 1 June 2019, 60 years to the day in 1959 that the first ever call was taken in Scotland by the Edinburgh branch; understands that, since that first call, the charity has become a leading organisation for suicide prevention, with 19 branches stretching from the Scottish Borders to the Shetland Islands; is aware that it has around 1,000 volunteers in Scotland and that the charity provides emotional support to people when they need it most via phone, email, text, letter or face-to-face conversation, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; recognises that demand for Samaritans’ services has grown considerably over the last six decades; notes that the Edinburgh branch received 550 calls in its first year, while last year the branch alone was contacted more than 45,000 times; further notes that, across Scotland, Samaritans volunteers were contacted more than 249,000 times by people in distress and crisis in 2018 and spent more than 60,000 hours providing emotional support, the equivalent of 2,500 days of listening; recognises the contribution made by past and present Samaritans volunteers in Scotland over the last six decades, and commends the charity’s work to recruit new volunteers and develop new ways of providing support so that it can continue to be there for people when they need it most and help to reduce the number of deaths by suicide in Scotland.

As an amendment to motion S5M-17281 in the name of Alex Cole-Hamilton (Treatment Time Guarantee), insert at end "; notes the health secretary’s comments that there are still too many people waiting too long for the treatment that they need; further notes that the treatment time guarantee is not the only waiting time target being missed, with others including the 18-week referral to treatment standard, the 62-day cancer urgent referrals standard, psychological therapies waiting times and the CAMHS waiting time standard; is concerned that waiting times are too long, and believes that the Scottish Government needs to take action to give the NHS the resources and the leadership that it needs to tackle this crisis."

As an amendment to motion S5M-17281 in the name of Alex Cole-Hamilton (Treatment Time Guarantee), insert at end "; notes the health secretary’s comments that there are still too many people waiting too long for the treatment that they need; further notes that the treatment time guarantee is not the only waiting time target being missed, with others including the 18-week referral to treatment standard, the 62-day cancer urgent referrals standard, psychological therapies waiting times and the CAMHS waiting time standard; is concerned that waiting times are too long, and believes that the Scottish Government needs to take action to give the NHS the resources and the leadership that it needs to tackle this crisis."

That the Parliament congratulates the PBC Foundation on its work in providing dedicated support and information to people living with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), which is a rare autoimmune condition that currently has no cure; recognises that, over the last 22 years, the foundation has contributed to creating a healthier nation; notes that it provides its core services through face-to-face meetings and by offering online support to its over 1,050 registered service users in Scotland; understands that its services also include a support helpline, a quarterly publication and a network of 11 regional volunteers in Scotland and 46 UK-wide that provides peer support and information; understands that, subject to funding, the foundation holds self-management workshops that equip people with PBC with the tools and techniques required to take an active role in their own care; notes that it also encourages family members and carers to attend workshops and conferences in light of the significant role that they can play, and wishes it continued success with its endeavours.

That the Parliament congratulates the PBC Foundation on its work in providing dedicated support and information to people living with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), which is a rare autoimmune condition that currently has no cure; recognises that, over the last 22 years, the foundation has contributed to creating a healthier nation; notes that it provides its core services through face-to-face meetings and by offering online support to its over 1,050 registered service users in Scotland; understands that its services also include a support helpline, a quarterly publication and a network of 11 regional volunteers in Scotland and 46 UK-wide that provides peer support and information; understands that, subject to funding, the foundation holds self-management workshops that equip people with PBC with the tools and techniques required to take an active role in their own care; notes that it also encourages family members and carers to attend workshops and conferences in light of the significant role that they can play, and wishes it continued success with its endeavours.

To ask the Scottish Government how many addiction support workers have been employed in Alcohol and Drug Partnerships in each year since 2007, broken down by partnership.

To ask the Scottish Government how many addiction support workers have been employed in Alcohol and Drug Partnerships in each year since 2007, broken down by partnership.

To ask the Scottish Government how many nurse endoscopists have been employed by the NHS in each year since 2007.

To ask the Scottish Government how many nurse endoscopists have been employed by the NHS in each year since 2007.

To ask the Scottish Government how many complaint communications Ministers have received from members of the public regarding waiting times for NHS treatment in each year since 2007.

To ask the Scottish Government how many complaint communications Ministers have received from members of the public regarding waiting times for NHS treatment in each year since 2007.

To ask the Scottish Government what preventative measures it is taking to mitigate any impact on NHS Lothian services from the extra costs incurred in building the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.

To ask the Scottish Government what preventative measures it is taking to mitigate any impact on NHS Lothian services from the extra costs incurred in building the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been reported as going missing while under the care of mental health services in each year since 1999.

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been reported as going missing while under the care of mental health services in each year since 1999.