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That the Parliament notes reported concerns regarding the current capacity of Raigmore Hospital in Inverness; acknowledges the role of the National Treatment Centre Highland in addressing elective surgery waiting lists; recognises the dedication of NHS staff in delivering healthcare services across Scotland, including in Inverness and Nairn; notes the view that the delivery of high-quality care must be supported by adequate clinical space and staffing levels; further notes calls for a review of hospital capacity in the region, and remains mindful of what it sees as the ongoing importance of ensuring that healthcare infrastructure meets the evolving needs of the Highland population.

That the Parliament welcomes the launch of the Kirkcaldy Muslim Scout Group at Kirkcaldy Central Mosque and Community Centre; congratulates the volunteers, families and community partners who have worked to establish this new section of the Scouting movement; notes that the Group will offer children aged four to 10-and-a half  a fun, inclusive and welcoming space to learn new skills, make friends and take part in games, crafts and outdoor-focused activities; recognises that Scouting in Scotland is the largest mixed volunteer-led youth movement in the country, supporting 35,000 young people and delivered by over 10,000 adult volunteers; understands that Scouting in Kirkcaldy, as part of the East Scotland Region, continues to grow and provides thousands of young people with opportunities to build confidence, resilience, teamwork, leadership and communication skills that prepare them for life; acknowledges what it sees as the wider impact of the Scouting movement across Scotland in helping young people develop practical skills, such as first aid, outdoor skills and problem solving, alongside the personal qualities of responsibility and respect for others; commends the work of the Muslim Scout Fellowship and community leaders in supporting the development of Scouting in Scotland’s diverse communities, and wishes the Kirkcaldy Muslim Scout Group every success as it begins its programme of activities and welcomes children and families from across the community.

That the Parliament congratulates Clackmannanshire Women’s Aid on reaching its 50th anniversary in 2026; recognises the organisation’s outstanding contribution over the past five decades in supporting women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse and gender-based violence; acknowledges that, since its founding in 1976, the organisation has supported thousands of women and children on their journeys to safety, recovery and independence; commends the dedication of its staff, volunteers and supporters, whose work has helped establish Clackmannanshire Women’s Aid as a vital part of the local community through the provision of refuge accommodation, outreach support, advocacy and prevention education; believes that, while much progress has been made, the need for these services remains as urgent as ever and that there must be a renewed commitment to creating a future free from violence against women and girls; welcomes the programme of events and activities planned throughout 2026 to celebrate the anniversary, amplify the voices of survivors and raise awareness across the wider community, and wishes everyone involved with Clackmannanshire Women’s Aid every success for the future as it continues its essential work across the Wee County.

That the Parliament welcomes the recent announcement that the University of Aberdeen has been awarded a major five-year programme grant worth over £1.1 million from the British Heart Foundation in order to drive forward research that could lead to a new way of protecting people from heart disease; understands that the project, which is being led by Aberdeen’s Cardiovascular and Diabetes Centre, will build on earlier discoveries showing that blocking a key enzyme in immune cells may help to reduce the build-up of fat in the arteries, a process known as atherosclerosis, which causes most heart attacks and strokes; notes that the funding will also bring together an international team, with partners at the universities of Liverpool, Leeds, Dundee, Copenhagen, Leiden and Nantes, who will explore whether this approach could benefit those at high risk of heart disease, including those with inherited high cholesterol; understands that, if clinical trials are successful, this could eventually lead to a new type of cholesterol-lowering medicine, which could be used either on its own or in combination with statins, offering hope to those who don’t respond well to current treatments; recognises that pioneering studies such as this one are vital, given that across the UK, where every three minutes, someone dies due to cardiovascular disease; believes that this must change in the future; notes the hard work and dedication of all members of the team involved in the research, and wishes them all the best with their work going forward. 

That the Parliament recognises the success of Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club in securing a promotion to the Scottish Championship; applauds what it sees as the tenacity shown by the players, coaching staff and board following a challenging period for the club; considers that this success reaffirms the vital relationship between the club and the City of Inverness; believes that the club is an integral cultural and economic asset to the Highlands; expresses its gratitude to the dedicated supporters who showed up to cheer on the team each week, and hopes to see another such motion celebrating the next promotion in the not too distant future.

That the Parliament welcomes the first Arthritis Awareness Month, which takes place in May 2026 in Scotland and across the UK; acknowledges that arthritis and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions affect over 1.7 million people in Scotland, can strike at any age, including during childhood, and can impact all aspects of life; expresses its commitment to improving the MSK health of Scotland through prevention, early diagnosis, supported self-management and timely access to multidisciplinary services and treatment; recognises that reducing long waiting times for orthopaedic surgery is a priority, and applauds what it sees as the excellent work of Arthritis UK in Scotland to raise awareness of arthritis and change lives through world-class research, campaigning and service delivery.

That the Parliament recognises National Fishing Remembrance Day 2026, which took place on 10 May 2026; understands that the day serves as an opportunity to remember and honour those who have lost their lives in the UK fishing industry; recognises the importance of the fishing sector to many coastal and rural communities across Scotland and the wider UK; believes that commercial fishing remains one of the most dangerous professions in the country, with around 11,000 people working in often challenging and unpredictable conditions at sea; acknowledges the lasting impact that tragedies within the fishing industry have on families, friends and local communities; recognises the work of organisations such as The Fishermen’s Mission in supporting current and former fishermen and their families, and believes that National Fishing Remembrance Day also provides an important opportunity to continue raising awareness of safety at sea, improved working practices and support for those employed within the industry.

That the Parliament congratulates NHS Borders staff members Michelle Brownlee and Karen Bacon on their recognition at the RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards 2026; notes that Michelle Brownlee, who is a healthcare support worker in the intensive therapy unit at Borders General Hospital, was named runner up in the Nursing Support Worker of the Year category in recognition of her 19 years of dedication to patient care, staff support and improving outcomes for patients with complex needs; further notes that Karen Bacon, who is an ITU clinical nurse educator, was highly commended in the Learning in Practice category for her work developing education and training programmes for nursing staff across NHS Borders; recognises the important contribution both make to patient care, staff wellbeing and recruitment within intensive care services in the Scottish Borders, and thanks all NHS Borders nursing staff and healthcare workers for the care and professionalism they show to patients every day.