Today at First Minister's Questions, I asked the Scottish Government for its views on recent comments made by the BMA that "virtually no progress" has been made to allow medical professionals to come and work in Scotland after Brexit.
Category: Scottish Parliament
PORTFOLIO QUESTION ON 2 SISTERS, CAMBUSLANG CLOSURE
For the third time, I raised the closure of the 2 Sisters chicken factory in my constituency with the Scottish Government. In response to my question, the Business Minister outlined the support the government are offering the workers and the local community.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON VETERANS HEALTH & WELL-BEING REPORT
The Scottish Veterans Commissioner has recently published a report on Veterans Health and Wellbeing. Recommendation 4 of the report would establish a national managed clinical network on veterans’ health, based on evidence from the existing managed clinical network on perinatal mental health - an area where my professional experience lies.
FMQ ON MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK
At First Minister's Questions this week, I had the opportunity to ask how the Scottish Government were marking this year's Mental Health Awareness Week. As a follow-up question, I asked the First Minister about a campaign which is calling on internet providers and search engines to do more to take down websites which offer instructions on how to self-harm.
DEBATE ON THE EVERYONE’S BUSINESS CAMPAIGN
It was a pleasure to hold a debate today (17th May) on the Maternal Mental Health Alliance’s Everyone’s Business campaign on perinatal mental health care. Perinatal mental health problems are those which occur during pregnancy or in the first year following the birth of a child – and include illnesses like antenatal and postnatal depression, anxiety, psychosis, and post-traumatic stress disorder, among others.
PORTFOLIO QUESTION ON RE-TRAINING REFUGEES TO BECOME DOCTORS
Many of the refugees who come to Scotland are doctors and dentists. The SNP Scottish Government have introduced a great scheme which allows them to re-enter the medical profession. I asked the Cabinet Secretary about this today (16th May).
DEBATE ON NHS TAYSIDE’S SUICIDE RATES
Last week (9th May), I took part in a debate looking into the tragedies of male suicides within the NHS Tayside boundary. One suicide is one too many, and I welcome the inquiry into NHS Tayside to see whether there have been particular failings by the health board.
DEBATE ON THE TRANSPORTATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Clare took part in a debate on the transport of nuclear weapons - highlighting studies which have found that Trident warheads were transported through her Rutherglen constituency on the M74.
DEBATE ON DOG ATTACKS
Over the last 18 months, I have been working closely with Friends of the Calder, and in particular with the group's chair Susan Lindner Kelly, regarding dogs in Blantyre parks. I therefore took part in a debate looking at the figures of dog attacks in Scotland.
GENERAL QUESTION ON TOURISM WITHIN MY RUTHERGLEN CONSTITUENCY
At Parliament, I raised the issue that VisitLanarkshire and VisitScotland poorly serve my Rutherglen constituency in attracting tourism to the area.