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To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that, during freezing temperatures in December, ambulances were called out to 800 people with hypothermia. (S6T-01077)

The cabinet secretary will be aware that allied health professionals have unique skills that help with discharge from hospital. They are essential in making that happen and returning people home safely, which undoubtedly helps with pressures on acute beds. AHP services are currently under pressure, with vacancies across the country. What discussions has the Government had to ensure that the increase in bed capacity also gives patients access to that essential group of staff?

I am sure that the Government understands that there are people in this country who have been switching off their heating almost entirely throughout the winter so far, due to fear that they simply cannot afford it. It is clear that the Tories are the architects of this dreadful cost of living crisis. The sooner that they are replaced with a UK Labour Government, the better.

It is important, though, to focus on what we can do in this Parliament. I am aware of the fuel insecurity fund, which was increased to deal with the challenges faced by our most vulnerable. However, will the Government review the fund and assess whether the money that is available for families and older people in our communities is actually getting to them—we have heard from constituents that that may not be happening in good time—and whether it is close to enough, when the lowest temperatures since 2010 have been recorded in parts of Scotland?

I reiterate my agreement that the Tories at Westminster have created this cost of living crisis. My point would be that they will pay for that at the ballot box next year, which will help to address the crisis.

Following yesterday’s briefing from the First Minister and the cabinet secretary, it is clear—if it was not already—that the Scottish National Party has lost control of the health service. Record numbers of people are waiting more than 12 hours at accident emergency and, crucially, nurses and social care workers are feeling the strain of poor pay and underfunding of services. Patients are suffering as a consequence.

Our national health service is our proudest possession. Staff and patients are concerned. How can the cabinet secretary be confident in the slightest that, when the temperatures drop again to dangerously low levels, vulnerable individuals suffering from hypothermia will even be able to receive treatment and attention as quickly as they need it?

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prepare for any potential surge in avian flu cases over the winter. (S6O-01712)

Members will be pleased that some of the points that I had intended to make have already been made, so I will be quite brief. I thank Douglas Ross for bringing the debate to the chamber. One of the first speeches that I made in Parliament, in June 2021, was on a motion lodged by Douglas Ross that called for action to deliver locally based maternity services for women in Moray. I think that we can all agree that it is a concern that we are here again, some 18 months later, debating the same topic.

I was going to discuss the issues that exist in my South Scotland region, which Finlay Carson talked about. The fact that women are having to travel from Stranraer right across to Dumfries is wholly unacceptable. Anyone who has been on that road would accept that point. I hope that the cabinet secretary has something to say about it.

As members will know, I have raised the issue of a women’s health champion many times in the chamber. Unfortunately, that issue is yet another example of the Scottish Government falling short on women’s health. It is clear that a women’s health champion is needed to spearhead many women’s health-related campaigns and issues. The situation with regard to maternity services is a clear indication that we need to get such a champion in place. I have been asking since June when an appointment can be made, and I ask the cabinet secretary to ensure that it is one of the first appointments made in 2023.

We need to have someone who can push on issues such as maternity services, scrutinise what is being done, go back to the Government and report to us so that we have the information that we need. That would benefit the women in Moray, whom we are discussing in this debate, and those in my region, and I am sure that there are examples of other areas in which women would benefit from the appointment of a women’s health champion. Therefore, it is really important that we get that done.

I pay tribute to the campaigners who have consistently stood up for the services that they want. It is our responsibility to keep bringing the issue back to the chamber and to push the Government harder and harder on it. I will not stop asking for a women’s health champion to be put in place, because I fully believe that having such a champion will help us to address some of the issues.

We have seen particularly large avian flu outbreaks in the north-east of Scotland, as well as the infection of many coastal birds in my South Scotland region, followed by a recent outbreak at Coalhall in East Ayrshire. That led, quite rightly, to strict biosecurity measures being introduced in November, which are undoubtedly very necessary.

However, has the Government considered the financial implications for farmers of the new housing measures for birds? What is being done to help them with the financial burden, given that we know that the winter will make flu infections more likely?

In the absence of Jim Fairlie’s debate on male suicide this week, it is important to recognise that 75 per cent of the people who died by suicide in 2020-21 were male and that a high proportion of those males were young and from a more deprived area. Every death by suicide is a tragedy—it means a life lost and a family grieving a loved one. It is abundantly clear that we need a strategy that not only promises but delivers.

How will the Scottish Government work with organisations that have close links to large groups of young men, such as football clubs—there is Kilmarnock Football Club, in my area, and Ayr United in South Ayrshire, which is in my region—to ensure that we continue to make progress together towards fully removing the stigma of talking about mental health and suicide, particularly among the young male group?

When I originally thought about speaking on this group, I wanted to speak only to my colleague Pauline McNeill’s amendment. However, having listened very carefully to the debate, I cannot not speak about some of the points raised in some of the very considered speeches that have been made. I obviously cannot mention everyone, but I appreciate the effort that people have put into speaking on this group.

In particular, I want to speak about my colleague Jackie Baillie’s contribution, during which she spoke about legislators needing to ensure that the public have confidence in what we have done and clarity on the legal obligations in the Equality Act 2010, particularly for public bodies, in relation to both women and transgender people—other members mentioned that, too.

Originally, I wanted to say that although we have talked a great deal about obtaining a GRC, in amendment 117, Pauline McNeill—like others, of course—quite rightly highlights the extent to which a GRC affects rights obtained under the 2010 act. That has been the crux of much of the opposition to the bill as it has gone through. Many people have asked and are worrying about what will become of the rights and freedoms of women, especially in settings of refuge and treatment.

The Equality Act 2010 made clear that the delivery of single-sex services, when proportionate and legitimate, is protected, but the bill seems to cloud that understanding, as we have heard. That outcome benefits no one and gives no public confidence.

As members have evidenced and clarified during the debate, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has said that the Government has amended the 2004 act to the extent that clarity on the operation of the 2010 act is necessary. I am not going to go back over those arguments, because they were made very well by others.

I thank the member very much for that intervention, and I know that he has asked other members the same question. Let me be absolutely clear that I have come to the chamber today to go through all the amendments. I have spent hours and hours here because this is an important debate. I will consider every amendment, and I thank members who have indicated which ones they will support and which they will not. I have considered every amendment and will continue to do that.

I want to put on record that I am concerned that some believe that even asking questions about these matters is, in itself, offensive, but I am glad that we have had this debate. I thank members for being able to discuss them, as that has been very important for public confidence.

I argue that the reason why these matters keep being discussed and debated is precisely because we do not have clear answers in relation to provision, so we must amend the bill to reflect those interests. I ask members to support amendments that contribute to that.

I agree with my colleague Pauline McNeill’s interpretation that it is unclear whether the bill affects the Equality Act 2010 or its operation. Others have made that point very well.

It is important that we approve some guidance in this Parliament and I would expect that to be done as part of amendments to the bill.