Former Labour MSP for Kirkcaldy
6. To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving NHS Fife to meet its target of putting stroke patients into a designated stroke ward within one day of being admitted to Victoria hospital. (S3O-13349)
On a recent visit to the Victoria hospital stroke unit, I was very impressed by and cannot praise highly enough the dedicated and highly trained nursing staff, who make such a difference to the recovery and quality of life of stroke victims in Fife. However, I was informed during my visit that, of the 23 beds in the unit, six were occupied by patients who no longer required an acute bed. What...
What assessment has the Government made of the impact of the withdrawal of funding for school-college partnerships, particularly on the most vulnerable students who will not be able to access college placements?
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is working with stakeholders to combat coastal erosion.
I, too, thank the clerks and the lawyers who have given us immense support on these very complex and technical changes, to which we have given substantial consideration. I highlight an issue that is distinct from those that were outlined by the convener—the role of the Presiding Officer in relation to financial resolutions. As a starting point, it was clear to the committee that, to ensure...
I rise to support the amendments in the name of Irene Oldfather and Elaine Murray. As members will be aware, I lodged an amendment at stage 2 calling for an outright ban on the use of snares. I withdrew the amendment to allow for further public and parliamentary debate. At that stage, I highlighted the evidence of animal suffering that Irene Oldfather and others have outlined in the chamber...
Maureen Watt summed up the debate on banning snaring when she said “I hope that”. For animal welfare’s sake, I hope that it is more than a hope.
I am pleased to contribute to the debate and to outline the importance of the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill, which gave us the opportunity to ban snaring of Scotland’s wildlife. Significantly, there is a difference between the protection that the law offers pets and livestock and the protection that it offers wild animals. The bill provided the opportunity to narrow that...
