The Scottish Government must take action now to improve NHS computing systems as patients are missing out on better care and treatment, warns a report from the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee.
Issues to be tackled include the safeguarding of patient privacy, timescales and continuity for the national roll out of “telehealth” schemes and tackling resistance from medical staff in using technology.
Business in the Chamber begins on Wednesday at 2.30pm with Time for Reflection given by Sister Isabel Smyth, Honorary Lecturer at Glasgow University’s Centre for Inter Faith Studies and Secretary to the Catholic Bishops Committee for Inter Religious Dialogue.
The Scottish Women’s Convention held their annual International Women’s Day celebrations in the Debating Chamber at Holyrood on Saturday.
The event was hosted by Trish Godman MSP, Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament.
Speakers on the day included:
• Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing
• Johann Lamont MSP
• Annabel Goldie MSP, leader of the Conservatives in the Scottish Parliament
• Elspeth King, curator of the Smith Art Gallery in Stirling
• student Amal Azzudin (pictured), who has campaigned against the poor treatment of asylum seekers.
Nearly 400 women from all over Scotland attended the event, which was being held in the Parliament for the third time. The theme of the day was ‘Why Women Should Vote’.
The three topics on which the committee is inviting evidence are as follows: • new offences relating to stalking • sentencing for knife crime • offence of engaging in paid-for sexual activity (and related new offences)
More information on the call for evidence is available on the committee’s web page. The closing date for written submissions is Wednesday 17 March.
Committee convener Ross Finnie MSP said: “A wide variety of groups and individuals, from medical practitioners to charities and lawyers in the UK and overseas, will have a view on the issue of assisted death.
“We want to hear from as many of them as possible to help us shape our consideration of the Bill as it progresses through Parliament.”
