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I support David Torrance’s position on writing to the health boards. The petitioners would probably like to see some action being taken in the period between now and Christmas. I think that having the health boards gather that information through correspondence and then having the cabinet secretary in after Christmas would make the most of the time that we have, as it would mean gathering information while we are doing other things as well as having an in-person session to make sure that we cover the issues.

In the letter, could we also ask for an update on the consultation that is still outstanding? Your point that we probably should have seen the SI earlier is even more concerning, given the closing date of the consultation that we have been advised of. There could have been several weeks where a consultation was still live but we were being asked to consider the instrument.

Has Cricket Scotland established a formalised method of communication for sharing updates and examples of good practice among regional associations, clubs and itself?

This question is more for Mr Dunlop, I think.

In the debate on this issue that Kaukab Stewart brought to the chamber earlier in the parliamentary session, it was widely recognised that the issues raised with regard to cricket might not be unique to cricket. Obviously it is important that we take this opportunity to look towards the future and help ensure that such situations do not happen again anywhere in sport and that we provide an opportunity for good-practice sharing.

Given that, would sportscotland consider forming, at an appropriate time, a representative working group to look at the findings of the independent report and to prioritise actions that can be taken to help all governing bodies of sport be fully inclusive? Such a working group could include governing bodies themselves and a representative body in the form of the Scottish Sports Association to ensure that sports are involved in all discussions and that resulting actions and developments are done with sports, not just to them.

I just have one question, which I will direct to Vicky Irons. What impact does confusion about lines of accountability have on the planning, quality and delivery of services?

Given how important it is to communicate a lot of the work that is going on at national level to the clubs and the regional associations, what time frame do you expect that you need to formalise a new way of communicating with the regions and the clubs?

Do I have time for one more question, convener?

During the pandemic’s most acute period, the public received a large amount of information about services and what their care would look like, and many people very much valued that. Many will understand why operations have to be postponed, but some constituents feel that information is lacking on next steps and what other support is available while they wait for a new operation date.

What work is being done to ensure that patients have information on how to keep themselves well and get support while waiting for an operation or, indeed, when an operation is cancelled? I direct that question to Caroline Lamb.

Those listening earlier will probably recognise this question, because I put it to the first panel. During the pandemic’s most acute period, we had really good information at national level about services and what patients’ care would look like, and a lot of people valued that. Many will understand why operations have to be postponed, but some constituents feel that information on next steps and the other support that is available while they wait for a new operation date is not what they would like it be. What work is being done at health board level to ensure that patients have information on how to keep themselves well and how to get support while waiting for an operation? I also want to link that to Emma Harper’s earlier question and ask: what communication is being provided on urgent care?

I will direct that question to Dr Armstrong, given the size of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

I will probably go back to Leigh for my next question as well. Is there an argument in the first instance—we touched on this earlier—for preventative measures to be taken in areas with higher excess mortality or where the number of healthy years of people’s lives are expected to be lower?