Seòmar agus comataidhean

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect. I would have voted no.

I am grateful to Emma Harper for securing the debate and providing us with the opportunity to mark world asthma day 2023, which took place last month. The global initiative, supported by the World Health Organization, had the theme of asthma care for all. The theme holds immense significance for Scotland, a country where an estimated 360,000 people, including 72,000 children, are diagnosed with asthma.

Asthma is more than just a chronic health condition; it is a challenge that touches every aspect of a person’s life, whether it is their ability to play, learn or even work. It impacts not only those who are diagnosed, but their families, schools and communities. We must see it not just as a health issue, but as a social issue that demands our collective attention and action.

Despite its widespread prevalence, asthma remains a misunderstood condition. Society often underestimates the severity of asthma, not fully comprehending that uncontrolled asthma can lead to life-threatening attacks. The Covid pandemic has highlighted the severity of respiratory conditions and has shone a spotlight on their prevention and treatment. Over 80,000 people in Scotland who have respiratory conditions, including asthma, were asked to shield at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic—they were the largest group of people on the shielding list.

With proper diagnosis, appropriate treatment and effective management, people with asthma can lead active, healthy lives. I acknowledge the admirable efforts of the Scottish Government’s respiratory care action plan, which aims to improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care and self-management of asthma and other lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease—COPD—and bronchiectasis. Those comprehensive efforts are geared towards enhancing the quality of life for those affected by those conditions and reducing the burden on our healthcare system. However, the reports about access to basic asthma care make stark reading. The theme of this year’s world asthma day, “asthma care for all”, speaks volumes about our shared commitment and collective aspirations. I know that the Scottish Government and our health ministers are committed to working with people who are living with asthma to better understand the barriers to accessing support.

In my constituency, we are fortunate to have the fantastic Breathe Easy Fife, which provides a support network for people who are living with any kind of lung condition as well as their families and carers. From social activities and exercise sessions to education and information, the invaluable support helps people to self-manage their conditions, while the invaluable peer support from those who understand what it is like to be breathless helps people to live with their condition, rather than just suffer from it.

We cannot underestimate the impact of the cost of living crisis on our constituents’ health. According to a survey that was undertaken by Asthma and Lung UK, 93 per cent of people in Scotland with lung conditions such as asthma have made significant changes to their lives in response to the cost of living crisis. One in three of those surveyed say that their health has been worsening as they have cut back on food and heating. No household should be faced with those difficult decisions.

We must also turn our attention to the environment around us. There is increasing evidence linking air pollution to the worsening of asthma symptoms, with children being particularly vulnerable. We cannot talk about asthma prevention and care without addressing the need for cleaner air and healthier environments. Poor air quality can cause asthma in children, exacerbate their existing conditions and limit their ability to enjoy the simple pleasures of childhood. The role that clean air plays in that narrative cannot be overstated. Our children breathe at a faster rate than adults and their developing lungs absorb more air per unit of body weight, making them more susceptible to airborne pollutants. Our children deserve to grow up in safe environments, which we must commit to delivering for them.

Recognising world asthma day prompts us to focus our collective consciousness on a health issue that is of immense global and national relevance. In order to provide asthma care for all, we need to face the challenges head on. We need to address the stark disparities in access to healthcare, the geographical variations in asthma prevalence and the gaps in public awareness about the condition. Our approach should be multifaceted, integrating prevention, early diagnosis, effective treatment and long-term management of asthma. Once again, I thank Emma Harper for securing the debate and allowing us to renew our dedication, rekindle our determination and continue our journey towards a world that is free from the constraints of asthma.

As a Langtonian, it is an absolute pleasure to be speaking in this debate to celebrate the tercentenary of Adam Smith’s birth. I offer my sincere gratitude to Michelle Thomson for securing this important debate.

Today, we acknowledge the lasting works of Adam Smith and their on-going relevance in the modern world. His legacy serves as a beacon reminding us of Scotland’s historic contributions to global thought and of the importance of continuing to celebrate influential Scottish figures.

Adam Smith was a multifaceted figure with an intellect that flourished in the fields of engineering, economics, chemistry, political economy, philosophy, literature and medicine. His ideas not only held global importance during his time but continue to reverberate through the centuries, influencing society today.

I will take a moment to pay tribute to Adam Smith’s deep connection to Kirkcaldy. Like me, Adam Smith was born and raised in the lang toun. In fact, my constituency office, just off the High Street in Kirkcaldy, overlooks Kirkcaldy old kirk, where Adam Smith was baptised 300 years ago. It is a constant reminder of the legacy of a son of Kirkcaldy—and, indeed, of Scotland—whose life and works have profoundly shaped the world we live in.

Adam Smith lived in Kirkcaldy for a great proportion of his life and his legacy is felt throughout the area and beyond. His legacy has brought enrichment to locals and tourists of Kirkcaldy and Fife alike. The lang toun is full of historical monuments to Smith’s life, including the old kirk, Adam Smith Close and the Adam Smith heritage centre. That is a rare example of the once-common rig buildings in Kirkcaldy on the Esplanade, which was said to have fostered inspiration for Smith’s work, “The Wealth of Nations”. A more recent building is the Adam Smith theatre, which is set to reopen.

This year, to celebrate his 300th anniversary, Kirkcaldy will be putting Adam Smith firmly in the spotlight and honouring his legacy at various events across the town. I am so pleased that the organised events have attracted so many people from across the country to experience Adam Smith’s home town and the contributions that he made to it.

Fife College’s scholarship programme also launched a new Adam Smith 300 enterprise scholarship on the day of Adam Smith’s 300th anniversary. Aimed at supporting students who are taking steps into setting up their own business, it will include financial support as well as mentoring support and guidance from Business Gateway Fife. That is great news for students and a fantastic way to celebrate this milestone.

It is important to recognise the pivotal role that Scottish universities have played in fostering Scottish figures, including spreading Adam Smith’s transformative ideas. It was at our Scottish universities that Adam Smith’s spirit of curiosity and formidable intellect were cultivated, along with several other Scottish economists and philosophers. Our world-leading Scottish universities have provided space for ideas to flourish—ideas that would forever change the course of Scottish and global human society.

As we commemorate this momentous occasion, let us remember that it is crucial to continue to celebrate the life and works of influential Scottish figures. Their legacy serves as a reminder of the invaluable contributions that Scotland has made to the world. Adam Smith, an intellectual giant, a man of unquenchable curiosity, a product of Scottish enlightenment, is a shining testament to that.

Adam Smith was a leading light in the Scottish enlightenment, in which extraordinary intelligence and thinking of the 18th century forever altered our understanding of the world. The Scottish enlightenment, with Adam Smith at its vanguard, was an outpouring of intellectual and scientific creativity by Scottish theorists. That work gained global recognition for its assertion of the importance of human reasoning and the use of empirical methods of inquiry. That was a seismic shift away from dogma and authority to a world where the application of reason, observation and experiment became our guiding principles.

The great thinkers of the Scottish enlightenment, including Adam Smith, have influenced the culture of Scotland in several areas, including architecture, art, music and philosophy. The influence of that movement spread beyond Scotland, moving and disseminating ideas. Of course, Scotland has changed in important ways since Adam Smith’s death. Although his ideas continue to be of global significance, 300 years after his birth, countries all over the world have faced unprecedented economic challenges that, time and time again, have tested the relevance of modern economic policy.

However, despite the changes and challenges that we have faced, Adam Smith’s light continues to shine brilliantly in disciplines that are as diverse as engineering, economics, chemistry, political economy, philosophy, literature and medicine. We must continue to celebrate his inquisitive nature, unequivocal mind and inclination to question the world. As policy makers and decision makers, it is crucial to champion those values as we strive to build a society that is economically prosperous as well as socially equitable and just.

In the spirit of Adam Smith, let us continue to pursue knowledge and understanding, question, analyse and innovate. As Smith himself said,

“science is a great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.”

I welcome the opportunity to speak in this important Scottish Government debate on the hospital at home programme. The extraordinary initiative has reshaped the landscape of healthcare delivery and quality in our nation. It has touched on and transformed lives in my Kirkcaldy constituency and across Scotland.

There is widespread agreement that our health and social care system has faced a number of challenges and obstacles. We have all spoken in the chamber about complex, prolonged and relentless change. Brexit, the cost of living crisis and Scotland’s changing demographics, in combination with the challenges of a post-pandemic world, have emphasised the urgent need for innovative patient-centred healthcare solutions.

In that context, the hospital at home programme is thriving and ensuring that our constituents receive the right care in the right place at the right time. I therefore very much welcome the additional £3.6 million that has been allocated to support more than 150 extra virtual beds under hospital at home.

Thousands of patients in Fife have benefited from the hospital at home service. In 2021-22, more than 1,000 patients were supported. The additional funding will help the programme to reach more of our constituents and continue to provide comfort and reduce anxiety for people across Scotland.

Hospital at home is a safe and dignified alternative to acute hospital admission. It bypasses the anxiety, disruption and disorientation that are often associated with hospital stays, while delivering the same—or better—quality of care. Whether the specialty be cardiology, geriatrics or any of the plethora of others, the programme transcends conventional barriers and opens the door to healthcare that is truly personalised and patient centred.

Last year, hospital at home offered more than 63,000 bed days for adults—more than 60,000 days when older adults could heal in the comfort and familiarity of their homes, while surrounded by loved ones, and more than 60,000 days when the dread of an acute hospital admission was replaced by compassionate care that respected people’s routines, homes and dignity.

By reducing the pressure on our hospitals, the service creates a virtuous circle of care. Fewer acute admissions means more time for hospitals to focus on complex cases, less strain on our devoted healthcare professionals and more efficient utilisation of resources. The hospital at home programme is not just beneficial for patients; it is a holistic solution that aids the entire healthcare ecosystem.

None of those achievements would have been possible without the relentless dedication and concerted effort of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland and the clinical networks, whose tireless work has supported the development and implementation of hospital at home. I recognise the invaluable service of our dedicated doctors, nurses, therapists and other healthcare professionals who make hospital at home a reality, who navigate the complexities of individual patient needs, often at unsocial hours, and who continue to learn and evolve in order to serve their patients better.

Hospital at home is not a replacement for hospital admissions; it is only an alternative. I have full confidence that the Scottish Government and our health ministers will continue to manage the pressures that remain on services across our health and social care system.

It is vital that we build a health service that best meets the needs of the people whom it will serve, which is why the Scottish Government is committed to doing what it can to ensure that those with experience of social-care support and community healthcare have a sufficient chance to share their views. That includes patients who have experienced the hospital at home service. Anyone who uses the service, who has a loved one who relies on care or who has worked in the sector will be able to have their say on our future healthcare landscape.

Hospital at home represents a leap in the evolution of healthcare delivery in Scotland. It embodies an ethos that recognises holistically patients’ needs, upholds their dignity and optimises the country’s health resources. As we continue to tackle the many challenges that Scotland faces, I welcome the continuation of hospital at home so that everyone can receive the right care at the right time in the right place.

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the net zero secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding how the £7 million of grants allocated through the hydrogen innovation scheme will support Scotland’s low-carbon economy. (S6O-02280)

H100 Fife is a first-of-its-kind demonstration project that is leading the way on decarbonising home heating. It will provide evidence for future low-carbon policy decisions and a clear pathway towards net zero heating for Scotland. Does the cabinet secretary agree that hydrogen power offers a promising opportunity as we look to transition from fossil fuels and decarbonising home heating?

It is important that we learn lessons from recent national health service capital investment projects elsewhere in the United Kingdom. As we know, in England, 10 of the 40 new hospitals that were pledged by Boris Johnson have faced lengthy delays as a result of not having the full planning permission that they needed to go ahead. Can the cabinet secretary advise what steps can be taken to guard against similar delays being experienced here, and can he provide any further information about anticipated pressures facing capital investment in NHS hospitals, given the current difficult economic context?

It is my great pleasure to open this evening’s members’ business debate on race for life and to recognise the work that Cancer Research UK does to support our constituents. I thank my colleagues for supporting my motion and allowing the debate to go ahead. Such widespread support is a testament to the thousands of participants and volunteers who have been involved in race for life events across our country during the past 30 years. It also pays tribute to the huge success of that vitally important initiative.

I also thank Emily and Sorcha from Cancer Research UK for taking the time to travel to Parliament for this debate, and I welcome them to the public gallery.

The debate gives us the opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable work that is undertaken by race for life and Cancer Research UK and by the staff, volunteers and participants who form the backbone of the initiative. The hard work that is done behind the scenes to organise and run these events is a great achievement.

For three decades, Cancer Research UK race for life has provided the opportunity for communities to raise money for life-saving cancer research. Its track record is seriously impressive. In 30 years, more than 10 million people have taken part in race for life events, raising more than £940 million for life-saving cancer research and supporting more than 130,000 cancer patients across the country with radiotherapy every year.

All race for life sponsorship goes to Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work by funding laboratories, tests and treatments for all 200 types of cancer. Thanks to significant investment, dedication and research, there have been noticeable improvements in early cancer diagnosis and treatment across Scotland. The initiative, spearheaded by our Government and delivered by exceptional national health service staff, is making a difference to the lives of the very people whom we are here to represent. We have made significant progress in improving cancer survival rates in recent years thanks to the tireless work of researchers, medical professionals, campaigners and thousands of fundraising efforts such as race for life.

We cannot forget that the heart and soul of race for life is the participants. An astonishing 10 million individuals have donned their running shoes, sweatbands and pink ribbons to stand up against cancer. They come from all walks of life, all levels of fitness, all backgrounds and all genders and they are unified by a shared objective of improving cancer research and, ultimately, beating cancer. It is their collective spirit, dedication and selfless endeavour that we are here to celebrate and honour today.

Earlier this month, more than 1,600 people took part in the 2023 race for life in Beveridge park in Kirkcaldy in my constituency. They raised an inspiring sum of £92,000 for cancer research, and I was delighted to meet many of them and participate at the finish line by awarding them their medals. As anyone who has attended race for life events will know, the atmosphere is deeply moving, as communities come together to celebrate the lives of those dear to them. From the moment that I arrived, the park was awash with colour from a sea of pink T-shirts to colourful wigs and even a dog in a tutu. Every person was there for the same reason—to have fun and remember the lives and experiences of those whom they loved.

It is easy to get swept away with facts and figures, but the reality of this terrible disease really hit home when I was speaking to participants about their stories and their motivation for signing up. There were stories such as that of 11-year-old Saoirse O’Halloran from Fife, who was chosen as the VIP starter to sound the horn at the start of the events in Kirkcaldy. Earlier this year, Saoirse was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a cancer of the white blood cells. She stood at the start line and cheered on the participants, who included her mum, sister and brother.

Also participating was Joanna Keddie, who was running in memory of her mum, Sheena, a nurse from Kirkcaldy Victoria hospital, who died from breast cancer last year. Speaking after the race, she said:

“I was thinking of my mum every step of the way today.”

That was echoed time and again as I spoke to people who shared their stories with me and made comments such as,

“I know my dad would be proud of me right now”,

and

“Today, I felt my best friend was still here running beside me”.

Then there are those who have battled cancer and won, and are running to show others that this cruel disease can be beaten. I was left in awe of their bravery and determination.

I cannot express enough how proud I am of my constituents who participate in those events to fundraise and help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, which helps to save more lives. Every individual is a beacon of hope and a symbol of resistance against cancer.

I acknowledge and thank the organisers and tireless volunteers who make those events possible. Cancer touches us all at one point or another, be it through personal experience or through our loved ones, neighbours or colleagues. The funds raised at race for life events have been and will continue to be instrumental in groundbreaking research, providing the resources and tools necessary to continue our fight against cancer. The funding contributes to a wide array of cancer services, including the gloves that help scientists stay safe while in the lab, and the microscopes and other equipment used to measure the size of tumours and learn how they grow. An invaluable cancer chart helps thousands of people who are affected by cancer and are going through very challenging times.

That groundbreaking work, which is supported by events such as race for life, contributes to more people surviving. We must not underestimate the importance of ensuring that the voices and experience of people who are affected by cancer are at the heart of policy.

Many of our constituents are impacted by cancer, and it is crucial that they are the centre of our approach going forward. Thousands of families in our communities have faced the indescribable pain of losing loved ones to this dreadful disease. We owe it to them to strive for continuous improvements in our healthcare services, particularly in the field of cancer research.

I am grateful that Scotland’s commitment to investing in the detect cancer early programme with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment is further enabling early detection. I note the contribution of the transforming cancer care programme, which is a first of its kind in the United Kingdom, in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, to improving the services that are offered to cancer patients.

A significant breakthrough has been rolled out in rapid diagnostic centres across Scotland, including the one in the Victoria hospital in Kirkcaldy, in my constituency. Those centres aim to provide an all-clear diagnostic within 28 days of a referral, making the process faster and less anxiety provoking for those involved.

Although we celebrate the achievements, we cannot afford to be complacent. We still face challenges, and we need to tackle the health inequalities that contribute to lower cancer survival rates in more deprived areas. The road ahead is still long and filled with challenges. The optimism of race for life events is infectious, and I am firm in my belief in our collective ability to rise to the challenge. Scotland has a strong foundation to build on to improve cancer outcomes, and I am incredibly grateful for the brilliant work of Cancer Research UK to help Scotland continue to drive that progress.

I conclude my contribution with a sense of pride and admiration as we honour and celebrate the 30th anniversary of race for life, an initiative that has touched the lives of thousands of people across Scotland. It is a pleasure to be able to formally acknowledge the incredible work that race for life and Cancer Research UK do, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to participants, volunteers and supporters of this wonderful initiative. I also extend my best wishes to everyone across Scotland who will take part in the upcoming race for life events this year.

NHS Scotland Assure was established by the Scottish Government to improve the quality and management of healthcare construction and refurbishment projects across NHS Scotland. How can it be used to ensure that we have the wide range of skills and expertise—not least expertise in ventilation engineering—required for the construction of those particularly complex structures?

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce the gender pay gap. (S6O-02220)