Seòmar agus comataidhean

I will not take up a lot of time, convener.

Minister, you mentioned having stakeholders on one side and your policy people on the other side. We talk about the transition for farmers, but we talk about a just transition in other areas as well. That involves thinking about co-development, co-design and diversity of food production and food security. It is different for sheep, beef, dairy and arable, so I assume that that means that there has to be a lot of diverse engagement. We know that, as Jonnie Hall said, one size doesnae fit all, so there has to be wider engagement.

I am looking at the number of farmers. There are 66,800, so I assume that 66,800 letters went out. How do we know that they are reading the letters? I know that you are engaging—that is my understanding—but how do we close the communication loop?

I have a question for Dr Eory. Correct me if I am wrong, but you said that people should drink less milk. However, when we look at milk processing and the supply chain, more cheese, high-value products and protein yoghurts are being made. In my work on the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, I am keen to make sure that folk have nutritional foods as well.

David McKay mentioned Food Standards Scotland’s “Eatwell Guide”. My understanding is that milk, which has calcium, B12 and other such things, is more nutritious than soda pop, which is carbonated water that rots your teeth. Are you suggesting that folk should drink less milk?

I will pick up on what Ariane Burgess said about data. Last week, representatives from the farming sector told us that there was a lack of baseline data for the agricultural sector that makes it challenging to measure progress.

I know that that is a challenge—most emissions are from nitrous oxide in the soils and methane from livestock and manure, for instance—but we know that there are differences between emissions from beef-fed cattle that are out on the hill and from dairy cattle in sheds. We cannae just put all beasts in one shed, so to speak.

What are your thoughts on the wider aspects of capturing data and even working with other countries such as Denmark to build on what they are doing?

Good morning. I want to pick up on what Dr Mike Robinson said. I should have written the words down, but I think that you said that people are reluctant. In your personal experience or perception, who is reluctant to progress?

I am thinking about people in rural areas. What if someone didnae want to go to their GP or speak to a pharmacist because in small rural places everybody knows everyone’s business? What effect would the bill have on individuals who are seeking treatment but who do not want to go to their GP or a health professional?

You talked about substances with regard to the bill not being intended to be about nicotine, but the previous panel talked about future proofing. We are now seeing evidence of young people vaping at levels such that nicotine is affecting their sleep, their attendance at school and their health. Should nicotine be included in the bill?

Our briefing from the Scottish Parliament information centre refers to the charter of patient rights and responsibilities. That already exists, and people already have a right to seek a second opinion. Would the bill build on that? Is it required? Rights to access person-centred treatment already exist. We know that, when people who are being harmed by alcohol or drugs are treated, it can take years for them to recover, and it is complicated. We know that engaging people has to be about partnership, collaboration and building relationships. Given that patient rights already exist, does the bill not muddy the waters?

Okay. Thank you.

I am interested in what the panel has said about there being lots of pathways for people, and Lyndsey Turfus has mentioned housing and all the other things for which people need referrals. I am thinking about the challenges that face people in rural areas, where everybody knows you. When you walk into a GP practice, it is as if people know, suspect or understand why you are there. Indeed, a person who lives in a rural area who has a substance use disorder might well not go to their GP or take a medical route. Would the bill impact on people who seek treatment through alternative approaches?

Good morning, cabinet secretary. First, I declare an interest as a former employee of NHS Dumfries and Galloway who worked in the operating room department and perianaesthesia area. As such, I know that safe staffing is always considered in intensive care; whether there is one-to-one or one-to-two staffing depends on the number of people who have been ventilated and intubated. All of that is taken into consideration. It is my understanding, too, that in NHS Dumfries and Galloway, which is an example that I know, people meet three times a day to look at the staffing and the templates, which they use as guidance; to think about and assess patient acuity—that is, how sick the patients are; and then to make adjustments and decisions on that basis.

Just to be clear, as all of those templates across the NHS in Scotland are assessed and implemented, will we be able to look at the reports that are generated to see what is working well in one place versus what has not worked as well in another? Is that the plan with publishing the reports?