Seòmar agus comataidhean

Good morning, cabinet secretary.

In session 5, the Health and Sport Committee reported on the creation of a national digital platform and problems around data sharing. There has been a huge increase in use of technology. Before the pandemic, there were around 1,200 Near Me and video consultations per month; there are now 12,000 per week. What progress is being made on use of a single digital platform and on the problems around data sharing?

Earlier, you talked to Gillian Mackay about face-to-face consultations with GPs. Is there a guarantee that any individual who wants a face-to-face consultation with any part of the NHS can get one?

On use of new technologies and platforms, what safeguards have been put in place to protect patient data?

Bill Kidd has raised a relevant point. If a legal framework and process for overriding the measures already exist, we have no option but to close the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders. I have to say, though, that I am very sympathetic to the petition.

Considering that the Scottish Government plans to lodge secondary legislation and given the work that the Criminal Justice Committee is already doing on a previous petition, we should close the petition under rule 15.7 of the standing orders. If the petitioners are not happy with the outcome, they could bring the petition back in a year’s time.

I agree that we should keep the petition open. The issue affects rural communities more than any other. Before we do anything else on the petition, we will need to wait and see what is in the national planning framework when it is published. In the meantime, I would like us to write to all the relevant stakeholders to find their views on the petition. There is a whole list of stakeholders here: Heads of Planning Scotland, the Royal Town Planning Institute, Scottish Renewables, Planning Democracy and Planning Aid for Scotland.

I think that we should act on the recommendation of the Scottish Government and write to the petitioner, asking whether she can bring a specific case forward.

I think that we should write to the Scottish Government, asking whether it is possible for a non-CalMac fleet vessel to provide an all-year-round service from Campbeltown to Ardrossan.

I agree with my colleague Bill Kidd. Given the work that the Scottish Government and the third sector have done and the accessibility of face masks when people go to train stations, shops or any public buildings, I think that the aims of the petitioner have been met. I would be happy to close the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders.

The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 places duties on ministers to ensure that public bodies exercise their functions with regard to communities. Is there enough protection in that? It is a difficult one. The ethical standards commissioner can come in if communities do not agree that they have been consulted or invited on to boards. I think that protections are in place for anybody who disagrees.