Seòmar agus comataidhean

If we have all the data that you think we need, why are we not seeing an improvement?

When a housing development is greenlit, an assessment is carried out of the impact that it will have on schools, but there is no assessment of whether primary care will be able to cope. We know that there is a historical lack of staff in rural areas and that the lack of homes and transport infrastructure makes it less likely that those areas will attract staff. Should the framework include an assessment of a minimum requirement for the health and care services that should be provided alongside new developments? I have a supplementary question that I will ask later.

I see that Professor Pearce is back.

Mike Corbett has just spoken about physical health. We are in an obesity crisis in Scotland, with a 6.8 per cent increase in one year in the number of primary 1 children who are at risk of being overweight. Covid has undoubtedly had an impact on that. The Observatory for Sport in Scotland has told us that general sport activity has been reducing among children from the age of 11 upwards, and there is an understanding that council-owned sport infrastructure might be too expensive for inclusive engagement. My question is for Jacqueline Lynn. How can we combat that worrying trend, which our current policies do not seem to be tackling?

Covid has had a massive negative impact on the mental health of our children. From missing school to lockdown, it has led to a fourfold increase in mental health and wellbeing issues. I note that Includem’s submission stated:

“there is a lack of … evidence for how school-based interventions contribute to a reduction in health and wellbeing inequalities.”

Dr Booth, your submission says that you feel that teachers need to be cleared

“to concentrate on their core responsibilities for teaching”.

What should we do to improve our children’s wellbeing and mental health?

Absolutely. Irene Beautyman was talking a little bit about this. Can we really use planning as a tool to improve health services, especially in our rural areas?

I accept that the instrument merely makes corrections. However, I want to place on record the fact that I am against the idea of having a performers list. I think that it is outdated and something that we should be able to get rid of across the UK and in Scotland.

Thank you, convener. Covid-19 could obviously take up the entire evidence session, so I will focus my question. We have heard about the impact of Covid-19 on people with disabilities, and that has been well articulated. I would like to know what impact Covid-19 has had on young children based on their ethnicity. How do we get data and information around the prevalence of mental health issues not just in the ethnic community, but throughout children in Scotland?

I suppose that I can put that question to everyone, although if there is anyone in particular who has—

It is good to hear you talk about the positive aspects of the common framework. Does what you are saying also mean that there will be increased sharing in other areas of health research?

I am here, convener.