Summary

  • The Social Security Committee takes evidence on the Social Security Bill

  • Support for the farm industry and disabled access at Waverley station are raised during general questions

  • Nicola Sturgeon takes the hot seat for first ministers questions

  • Urgent question: Combustible cladding in construction of Glasgow private high rises

  • MSPs debate the Contract (Third Party Rights) (Scotland) Bill for the last time, before voting on whether to pass it at decision time

  1. Postpublished at 14:28 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

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  2. Coming up in the chamber......published at 13:41 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

    We begin with coverage of the first ever urgent question in Holyrood, which will raise the issues arising from Glasgow City Council revealing combustible cladding had been used on some residential buildings.

    Then, rather unusually, there is another member's debate, this time on nuisance calls.

    Media caption,

    Combustible cladding in Glasgow 'not public information yet', says council during committee

    The afternoon session in the chamber continues with the preliminary stage debate on the Edinburgh Bakers’ Widows’ Fund Bill.

    Then MSPs will debate the Contract (Third Party Rights) (Scotland) Bill for the last time, before voting on whether to pass it.

  3. That ends the debatepublished at 13:30 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

    Shona Robison

    The health secretary brings the debate on National Eye Health Week to a close.

    We'll be back at 14:30.

    See you then.

  4. Background: Statisticspublished at 13:27 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

    Callanish, Western IslesImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Callanish, Western Isles

    From RNIB Scotland:and Diabetes Scotland:

    • over 291,000 people in Scotland are living with diabetes, and this number is rising every year
    • attending regular retinopathy screening is an essential part of diabetes care for people, aged 12 or over, who are living with the condition
    • that over 42,000 people with diabetes in Scotland do not have a record of attending a retinopathy screening appointment in the last 15 months
  5. Health secretary will look at the 'postcode lottery' in screeningpublished at 13:27 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

    Labour MSP David Stewart asks for the minister to look at the "postcode lottery" in screenings.

    Health Secretary Shona Robison says she will do that and she is working to establish an equality group to look at this area.

    Ms Robison says NHS Scotland has recently invested in a new IT system to assist with the screening programme.

    The health secretary says ophthalmologists play a crucial role.

  6. Health secretary praises the 'How do you see Scotland' campaignpublished at 13:23 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

    Health Secretary Shona RobisonImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Health Secretary Shona Robison

    Health Secretary Shona Robiison says the "How do you see Scotland" campaign is a "very powerful campaign indeed".

    Ms Robison pays tribute to RNIB Scotland and Diabetes Scotland for their efforts in this campaign.

    The minister says driving continuance improvement in retinopathy screening is a priority.

  7. The number of people with sight loss is set to double by 2030 says Labour MSPpublished at 13:20 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

    Labour MSP Colin Smyth

    Labour MSP Colin Smyth says the number of people with sight loss is set to double by 2030.

    Mr Smyth says people with type one diabetes monitor their blood sugar levels by pricking their finger a dozen or more times a day which is not pleasant.

    The Labour MSP says a small monitor can be put under the skin as an alternative but that it is not available on NHS prescription.

    He calls for the monitors to be made available on prescription.

  8. 'Don't lose sight of what's important; get your eyes checked'published at 13:19 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

    Actor Brian CoxImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Actor Brian Cox

    Actor Brian Cox, who is leading the campaign, said: "Like many Scots, I am living with diabetes and I am aware of the various challenges it can bring.

    "To help me stay healthy, I make sure I attend my diabetes check-up appointments, including retinopathy screening, and I encourage all people with diabetes to do the same.

    Kelpies as seen with diabetic retinopathyImage source, RNIB
    Image caption,

    Kelpies as seen with diabetic retinopathy

    "Sight loss is a potentially devastating complication of diabetes which can develop if people are not supported to manage their condition well.

    "However, regular retinopathy screening means that changes to the eye can be detected early enough to allow treatment which can prevent further deterioration and irreversible damage.

    "I'm proud to support the 'How Do You See Scotland?' campaign from Diabetes Scotland and RNIB Scotland during National Eye Health Week. Don't lose sight of what's important; get your eyes checked."

  9. 15% of those eligible for eye screening have not been attending in the past 15 monthspublished at 13:15 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

    Tory MSP Alexander Burnett

    Tory MSP Alexander Burnett says 15% of those eligible for eye screening have not been attending in the past 15 months.

    Mr Burnett says screening is different to an eye test because it specifically takes pictures of the blood vessels at the back of the eye.

    The Tory MSP says there is no cure for diabetic retinopathy but there are treatments.

  10. There are 260,000 people living with type two diabetes in Scotland today says Ms Harperpublished at 13:12 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

    SNP MSP Emma Harper

    SNP MSP Emma Harper says according to the latest statistics there are 260,000 people living with type two diabetes in Scotland today.

    Ms Harper says early detection leads to early treatment and helps people remain at home longer.

    The SNP MSP says what is happening to the vessels in a person's eye could also be happening in their feet and heart.

    She says she is type one diabetes at risk and she gets checked regularly.

  11. 'Diabetes is a true Scottish epidemic'published at 13:06 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

    Labour MSP David StewartImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Labour MSP David Stewart

    Labour MSP David Stewart says there are nearly one million people in Scotland with diabetes or at risk of contracting it.

    Mr Stewart pays warm tribute to Diabetes Scotland and RNIB Scotland.

    He says: "Diabetes is a true Scottish epidemic."

  12. How do you see Scotland? The campaign to get diabetics to take eye checkspublished at 13:02 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

    How Edinburgh Castle is seen by someone with diabetic retinopathy.Image source, bbc
    Image caption,

    How Edinburgh Castle is seen by someone with diabetic retinopathy.

    This National Eye Health Week, Scottish charities Diabetes Scotland and RNIB Scotland have joined forces, with support from actor Brian Cox CBE, to raise awareness of the importance of specialist eye screening for people living with diabetes.

    According to latest figures from the Scottish Diabetes Survey 2016, external, over 42,000 of the 287,336 people who are eligible for diabetic retinopathy screening in Scotland do not have any record for the previous 15 months.

    To launch the campaign, Brian Cox, star of films such as The Bourne series, X-Men 2 and this summer’s Churchill, has narrated a 90-second film [http://bit.ly/SeeScotland, external] which will be shown in Scottish cinemas during National Eye Health Week.

    Brian CoxImage source, bbc
  13. Early diagnosis can lead to prevention of sight losspublished at 13:02 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

    Tory MSP Miles Briggs

    Tory MSP Miles Briggs says campaigns that show the impact of different stages of sight loss are very effective.

    Mr Briggs says early diagnosis can lead to prevention of sight loss.

    The Tory MSP says anyone with diabetes who believes they are not being invited for eye checks should speak to their GP.

    Mr Briggs pays tribute to the actor Brian Cox for his work in the area.

  14. Background: Diabetic sight loss cut by screening, research showspublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

    There are still 20% of diabetics who do not take up the offer of annual eye screeningImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    There are still 20% of diabetics who do not take up the offer of annual eye screening

    The proportion of diabetics who go blind or suffer sight loss has almost halved since a new national retinopathy screening programme started in 2007.

    Swansea University research over eight years has now been published in the British Medical Journal., external

    New certifications for severe sight impairment have fallen from 31.3 to 15.8 per 100,000 people.

    Diabetics aged over 12 are offered annual screening and health experts said the study shows a "clear benefit".

    Retinopathy, external is damage to the retina in the back of the eye and is a complication which can affect people with diabetes. Persistent high levels of glucose can lead to eye damage.

    Read more here.

  15. Eye health checks are vital says Mr McMillanpublished at 12:56 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

    Stuart McMillan

    Mr McMillan says eye health checks are vital and he commends the work of Diabetes Scotland and RNIB Scotland.

    The SNP MSP says he know the government is committed to increasing awareness of good eye health particularly in areas where the take up is low.

    He says, since eye checks were made free in 2006, there has been a 29% increase in eye checks.

    Mr McMillan says the government has the responsibility of making sure hard to reach communities are taking up free eye checks.

  16. Postpublished at 12:52 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

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  17. Postpublished at 12:52 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

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  18. Diabetics are entitled to a free yearly eye checkpublished at 12:52 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

    SNP MSP Stuart McMillan

    SNP MSP Stuart McMillan says there are members of RNIB Scotland in the gallery.

    Mr McMillan says National Eye Week should remind people, across Scotland, to look after their eye health.

    The SNP MSP says good eye health has prevented sight loss.

    He says diabetics are entitled to a free yearly eye check.

  19. Here's the motion for the debate.....published at 12:51 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

    MotionImage source, Scottish Parliament
  20. National Eye Health Week 2017 debatepublished at 12:50 British Summer Time 21 September 2017

    Retinopathy looks like this when screenedImage source, bbc

    SNP MSP Stuart McMillan will now lead a debate on National Eye Health Week 2017 and the Threat to Vision Posed by Diabetic Retinopathy.

    Mr McMillan uses his motion to congratulate Diabetes Scotland, external and RNIB Scotland, external on their campaign to mark National Eye Health Week 2017 by highlighting the threat to vision posed by diabetic retinopathy for people with all types of diabetes.

    He welcomes the emphasis given to eye screening in NHS Scotland care plans for people with diabetes.