Tory MSP Maurice Corry says veterans must be supported in every possible way.

He welcomes members of the armed forces and veterans to the gallery today.

Understanding mental health support is vital as veterans return to daily life, Mr Corry says, though he warns people not to assume that all veterans suffer problems.

That said, loneliness and isolation due to physical and mental health issues often impact veterans the Tory MSP states.

The Scottish government says it remains committed to giving the armed forces, veterans and their families its full support and adds it will continue to help maximise the opportunities available to them and to ensure they are not disadvantaged when accessing services.

Scottish Government Support for Veterans and the Armed Forces Community in Scotland, external sets out our current achievements and future priorities, and highlights the work the Scottish government is taking forward to respond to the recommendations made in the Scottish Veterans Commissioner's reports and in particular to Veterans Health and Wellbeing: A Distinctive Scottish Approach.

Ms Haughey says the vast majority of people leaving the armed forces have no mental health issues and cope well with civilian life.

The minister insists the mental health strategy will help veterans and improve things in many areas.

She points to funding for Combat Stress and Veterans First Point amounting to £5.8m over next three years, meaning six areas of Scotland will have one stop shop for veterans and their families.

In closing she thanks Eric Fraser once again for his important work.

"We as a society owe a debt of gratitude to our veterans and we must ensure that this is recognised through high quality services to meet their needs."

Ms Haughey says the Scottish government is committed to ensuring the experience of veterans is better understood in the NHS.

That is why we have accepted all the recommendations on the veterans commissioner's report, she tells the chamber.

A joint group of armed forces and veterans healthcare will be central to taking forward efforts to put healthcare at the heart of any veterans support system.

A smaller operational delivery group will take forward actions set out by the joint group, she adds.

The mental health minister says her officials are working to ensure veterans are considered while health and social care is integrated.

NHS Inform is evaluating the veterans content on its website, she adds.

Image source, Twitter/Scottish government

Charles Wallace was appointed at the new Scottish veterans commissioner in June, with his appointment to begin this autumn.

He is the second person to fill this role, following on from Eric Fraser who had held the position since its creation in 2014.

The announcement came at the same time Veterans Minister Graeme Dey launched a new guide to services, external available in Scotland to support service personnel and their families.

In his new role, Mr Wallace will work to improve the outcomes for veterans in Scotland and will act as their ambassador.

Image source, bbc

Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey cites the Scottish Veteran's Commissioner's report 'Veterans Health and Wellbeing: A Distinctive Scottish Approach, external' published in April.

The minister says this debate is an opportunity to celebrate the unique contribution of veterans to Scotland.

She says Erskine is one of many organisations across Scotland working to help improve the lives of veterans.

The minister says Eric Fraser CBE was employed as Scotland's first veterans commissioner to ensure veterans interests were met.

He stepped down in August and Ms Haughey thanks him for his significant achievements and work.

I'm very pleased to welcome Charlie Wallace to the post to carry on the good work of Eric Fraser, she says.

Image source, Scottish Veterans Commissioner

The Scottish government will now lead a debate on support for veterans and the armed forces community.

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton says the Royal College report suggested a 3-5 year programme of training was required to bring the service back on a sustainable footing.

Is that the outer limit of what we can be expected to wait or might it be delivered earlier, he asks.

Ms Freeman says those figures are from the 2016 report from the Royal College and there had been another since then.

A multi-disciplined and multi-skilled team is needed to deliver, she states, and reiterates her intention to come back to the chamber in January.

"My timescale is shorter than three to five years."

Image source, bbc

Green MSP Alison Johnstone says MSPs have received ongoing assurances from NHS Lothian that the issue is receiving the highest level of priority.

Ms Johnstone adds: "Frankly we have heard this for years."

Today we hear "another a year later" she says, adding there is a complete lack of urgency in this matter, and calls for target time.

Ms Freeman replies: "I would have hope that I have already done that."

She reiterates these assurances and this plan and the commitment to return in January, comes from her.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay says the situation the Mackenzie family found themselves in was not a one-off and he asks how many children have had to go to Edinburgh for treatment.

When will the service be reinstated and what is the view of the Royal College on this model, he asks, suggesting it is a downgrade to the service.

Ms Freeman agrees to provide figures to Mr Findlay later.

The model is supported by the Royal College and community, and this is not a downgrade insists the health secretary.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Angela Constance, who represents Almond Valley, asks how will the cabinet secretary scrutinise NHS Lothian and crucially oversee the work of the paediatrics programme board, ensuring that they pick up the pace to return to 24/7 service.

Ms Constance says she will of course be happy to meet with her and parents to discuss the issue.

She goes on to say she will also be happy to meet with any member who has an interest in St John's.

Labour MSP Anas Sarwar says it has been six years since staffing problems at St John's were identified.

The situation is symptomatic of a wider issue of workforce shortages across the whole of the NHS, he insists, and calls for a "credible" workforce plan.

Mr Sarwar seeks a target date for reopening the ward.

Ms Freeman accepts there are workforce challenges in the health service and there is a need for a robust workforce planning mechanism going forward.

She points to the safe staffing bill currently making its way through parliament and adds local health boards must also have plans in place.

The health secretary is unable to give a target date now, but she should have a better idea about progress in January she says.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Miles Briggs says: "Since the closure of the children's ward last summer, 700 West Lothian families have had to go through the stress and inconvenience of being forced to travel to Edinburgh for hospital care for their children and babies."

Mr Briggs asks what the health board are doing to outline a timetable for improving the paediatric service.

Ms Freeman says the milestones will relate to the new advanced nurse practitioners and the two consultants training.

The minister explains there will be an initial timetable but there will be an additional timetable after the recruitment and advertising drive.

The minister insists the key is to bring back a sustainable 24/7 service at St John's.

Ms Freeman says the aim is to put the service back onto a 24/7 basis and the board has set milestones for this.

The board will continue to review progress regularly and a contingency plan will be brought forward if milestones are not met, she tells the chamber.

The health secretary will receive a report in January - and she will make another statement to the chamber then - on progress.

Ms Freeman says the board is working to develop and deliver a 24/7 service that is safe and sustainable.

She explains she has pressed NHS Lothian to achieve this.

Image source, bbc

The minister says she has called on the board to sort out recruitment in the "speediest time possible".

Ms Freeman reports "encouraging progress underway" in terms of paediatric nurse recruitment.

She says the board has agreed to "over recruit" consultant and advanced paediatric nurse roles.

Image source, PA

According to The Daily Record...

"MSPs have ramped up the pressure on the Scottish Government over the lack of 24/7 care at the children’s ward at St John’s Hospital in Livingston.

"Angela Constance, SNP MSP for Almond Valley, raised a point at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday (September 20) regarding the Livingston ward, highlighting the case of the MacKenzie family that was revealed by the Courier.

Ms Constance asked: “The West Lothian Courier recently reported on the plight of the MacKenzie family from Breich in the more rural part of my constituency.

“The family attended St John’s Hospital with their sick baby and, after a three-hour wait for an ambulance, were eventually transferred to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children because the children’s ward at St John’s remains closed to in-patients."

Read more from the Daily Record here. , external