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As Rhoda Grant has indicated, the region is so sparse that it is almost a postcode lottery. I concur that it would be useful to get the petitioner in to give evidence on the process in order to inform how we can progress the petition.

Mr Avery, you have talked about the lack of communication and consultation with staff and communities in the whole process. How are industrial relations progressing? What impact has the handling of the whole affair had on industrial relations between HIAL and Prospect?

I thank Monica Lennon for her evidence. It has shone a light on the process and identified some of the failings and the lack of support that individuals believe exist.

It would be appropriate for us to write to the Coroners Society of England and Wales seeking details of its approach to tissue sample retention and how it mitigates the challenges that are set out by the Royal College of Pathologists. That will give us an idea of where we are with the matter, because there seems to be a lack of support, training and identification. By writing to the society, we would at least get an idea of what is happening south of the border, which seems to work much better for individuals who face the issue.

Have you identified any areas in which public participation is not suitable? As I said, there is a risk that damage could be caused by going down a certain route. Have you found any areas that we should stay clear of, because they could be problematic?

I thank the panel members for their comments so far.

When you identified the way forward, you wanted to be ambitious, creative and inclusive. To achieve all that, you needed to have a vision. That vision has come out a little bit in the discussion that we have had so far, but it would be good if you would identify how, as a group, you came about agreeing on a vision for the whole process.

You have identified your vision, which gives you your starting block, and you touched on the lessons that you have learned from citizens assemblies. Your goal is to enhance democracy but there is also a trust element, which is about individuals feeling that their participation makes a difference. Is there not potential that, if that does not happen in all cases, trust in your goal, aspiration and vision could be damaged?

I acknowledge that the pandemic has had a knock-on effect on the process. The most sensible approach would be to wait until we have the pilot evaluation. At that point, we could communicate with the Scottish Ambulance Service on the outcomes of the pilot and the evaluation, and the next steps. We should continue the petition and see how we progress in the timescale that the Ambulance Service has set out.

I concur that we should keep the petition open. We have received information from the Scottish Government about the consultation. It is very important that we highlight the evidence that we have received and that we seek assurances that children and young people will be fully involved in the consultation process, including in co-designing it, to ensure that they are willing participants. As we have discussed in the past, the focus is sometimes on the identity that a school uniform brings, but young people have the right to express their views. If they can do so through the consultation, we might receive more information that might help us to make a decision.

I concur. The issue is important because, as you have identified, convener, there seems to be a bit of a mismatch across regions and areas with regard to individuals with certain disabilities getting travel support.

We should also write to Transport Scotland to request an update on the fair fares review that you mentioned, which is important with regard to ensuring that there is consideration for disabled people across the piece.

Dr Barnes Macfarlane, you have a background as a lawyer. You heard Sarah Axford’s comments. Do you believe that the role of child welfare reporter is being managed in the right way and with the right focus and emphasis to ensure that relationships can be built?