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If I may test the convener’s patience further, I would like to ask about border controls in relation to regulation. The whole regulatory framework hangs on the control of the flow of goods and border checks. Since we left the European Union, our products, as was mentioned earlier, have been subject to border controls, but we have not applied the same rigour to border controls for EU products coming into the UK. What is your take on that, Lucy Ozanne? The sector would want to see that implemented, would it not?

There is a great deal of compliance with the regulatory framework that we and the EU operate within, is there not?

David Baldock acknowledged that our negotiating position was pretty weak, because of our lack of appliance of border controls. Do you want to amplify your thoughts on that, David?

Mark, I am conscious of the fact that we have not heard enough from you in this conversation. Is there anything that you would like to add?

Thank you for the opportunity to say a few words to the committee this morning, particularly in the light of the summary that you have just presented.

Before I do so, I hope that you do not mind if I take the opportunity to acknowledge the incredible efforts of James Bundy and his family, especially his mum, Selena. Their campaign to improve stroke awareness is not just about public health; it is personal, deeply meaningful and already saving lives.

James works in my parliamentary office, and his commitment to BE FAST comes from his experience of the sudden and tragic loss of his dad, Tony, to a stroke. He is determined to ensure that other families do not face the same heartbreak that the Bundy family have faced. They have channelled their grief into action, and their efforts are already making a difference.

At their campaign’s heart is a very simple but vital improvement, which builds on the existing FAST model by adding two additional early warning signs: balance and eyes. FAST has done an excellent job at helping the public become more aware of stroke symptoms, but we now know, based on evidence, that it does not cover all strokes.

Many people, in particular those who have strokes that affect the back of the brain, do not present with facial weakness or arm numbness. Instead, the symptoms often include a sudden loss of balance or vision problems. BE FAST strengthens FAST by making sure that more strokes are recognised earlier, so that people get the treatment that they need in time.

The evidence is clear: time is everything when it comes to stroke care. Every minute that is lost reduces the chance of survival and recovery, as was the case in the tragedy that befell Tony and the Bundy family. BE FAST awareness is growing among the public and national health service staff, and, already, strokes are being recognised sooner and patients are receiving life-saving treatment more quickly. I therefore conclude that the campaign is already having a positive impact.

Selena has said:

“Life has been tough since the death of my husband. We believe his condition was not picked up using routine tests. We have been campaigning hard on this issue, and we hope to see positive change to help people displaying the lesser-known signs of stroke, to stop this tragedy happening to others.”

Convener, you mentioned specific evidence that the committee had received about the memorability of FAST versus BE FAST. Frankly, I struggle to believe that the public, who send us to this place, cannot grasp the concept of BE FAST when the evidence suggests that they are aware of FAST. It seems to me that experts are being faintly reductive if in their suggestion that the public cannot grasp BE FAST.

The time has come for us to take the next step, because BE FAST is not difficult to remember. In fact, the two-word acronym is arguably slightly easier to remember, because BE FAST also conveys the essence that lies behind the effective countering of a stroke’s effects, which is time. The next step is for Scotland to formally adopt BE FAST in public health messaging, NHS training and emergency response protocols. That simple, practical change will prevent strokes from being missed and ensure that more people receive urgent care when they need it.

I note what you said in your summary, convener, about capacity in the NHS. It is a subject that I have raised with Neil Gray, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, in the chamber. He said on the record that the issues of capacity ought not to prohibit people from turning up in hospital if they believe that they or their loved ones have symptoms of a stroke. Therefore, I do not think that the argument that there is an issue of capacity is valid—especially in the eyes of the Scottish Government, according to the pronouncements of Neil Gray.

As you mentioned, the Stroke Association has submitted additional evidence that suggests that it would now support a trial of BE FAST, and I note that. NHS Ayrshire and Arran has said that it is willing run a trial in its health board area.

I see all that as positive. I hope that there might be an opportunity for James Bundy himself to respond to some of the evidence that the committee has received. I thank you, convener and members of the committee, for the way in which you have engaged with the issue. Your scrutiny of the evidence and your willingness to listen and reflect demonstrates a real commitment to improving stroke outcomes in Scotland. That is what this is all about.

The Bundy family has already helped to change and save lives but, together, we can take that further. It is a small change that will lead to a big difference. It will save lives.

I was directing that question at Professor Cardwell, unless—

In that case, you will be pleased to hear that I do not necessarily agree with it. I think that it is important that we measure what we have now against what we had then.

One aspect of Erasmus+ was that it included academic staff—Turing does not. In the Turing arrangement, staff members are expected to do the bilateral networking that you described earlier, directly funded by themselves or their institution, or through another method. Previously, those exchanges were publicly funded. I want to get a feel for what has changed. Can you quantify the level of academic exchange that is going on now, compared with what we had previously?

I am very happy for you to answer.

I presume that institutions’ bilateral relations have continued, perhaps with more online meetings.

The Education, Children and Young People Committee, when I was a member, took evidence from Taith representatives. I do not know whether you gave evidence, Ellie.