Ms Freeman says the paediatric ward remained open to day services and planned procedures, while the emergency department continues to see over 11,000 patients a year.

There has been a drop in the number of children transferred but not admitted to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh since the interim arrangements were put in place, Ms Freeman states.

The health secretary says a wide range of services continue to exist at St John's.

But I have been clear with the board that certain issues need to be addressed, she adds.

Ms Freeman confirms the MacKenzie family from Briech - raised by SNP MSP Angela Constance in FMQs last week - have been reimbursed in full.

Image source, bbc

Health Secretary Jeanne Freeman begins by emphasising her commitment to St John's Hospital.

Ms Freeman says in July 2017 the Scottish government was advised that staffing levels were fragile.

As a result NHS Lothian decided on an interim service model in the best interests of the children and their families.

The minister states that the majority of children's services have been maintained at St John's.

The children's ward is open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week providing a short stay paediatric service.

Image source, Google

The children's ward at St John's Hospital in Livingston had to close to inpatients last summer as a result of staff shortages.

The ward, which had been shut on previous occasions, closed to in-patients from 7 July 2017.

Children will be assessed and treated in the A&E department at night and at the weekends. The ward will operate on an assessment basis during the week.

NHS Lothian said the closure was not permanent.

Since then MSPs have demanded that t the children’s ward at St John’s Hospital returns to a 24/7 service.

Read more here.

Image source, Getty Images

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman will now deliver a statement on paediatric services at St John's Hospital.

Ms Freeman will have to deal with concerns over the lack of 24/7 care at the children’s ward at St John’s Hospital in Livingston.

Image source, Richard Webb

After lunch Health Secretary Jeane Freeman will give a statement on the children's ward at St John's Hospital.

Image source, bbc

The rest of the afternoon will be dominated by a debate on support for veterans and the armed forces community in Scotland.

Mr Hepburn says the Scottish government is committed to working with employers to spreading progressive practice.

He welcomes the shared parental leave regulations put in place by the UK government, though he argues they do not go far enough.

The option is also not taken up enough, the minister adds.

He urges employers to engage with their workforces on the issue more.

Image source, bbc

Business, Fair Work and Skills Minister Jamie Hepburn explains this issue does not come under the purview of the Scottish government, as employment law is reserved.

However, Mr Hepburn says the Scottish government has a policy which has been put in place to ensure new fathers are entitled to four weeks full paid paternity, if they work for it.

He encourages others to follow suit.

The minister cites the importance of flexible working and cay £700,000 of funding to help achieve this.

Employers greatly benefit from a flexible approach, via increased productivity a result, he states.

Image source, Getty Images

Large companies have been urged to publish parental leave policies on their websites to help tackle gender inequality.

Jo Swinson, a Lib Dem MP, said this was "a simple and practically effortless change" that would improve transparency and encourage more competition on pay.

It would help firms "better attract and retain talent", she added.

Human resources trade body the CIPD said publication could help tackle discrimination.

Read more here.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon says doubling paternity leave has been a Labour policy for some time.

Women often continue to have primary responsibility for childcare Ms Lennon states, but this is sometimes not through choice.

New dads too often are expected to get back to work, the Labour MSP says.

She says it is worrying that the response from health boards and councils has not been as positive as one would hope.

Image source, GETTY IMAGES

Back in February publicity drive is aiming to encourage higher take-up of shared parental leave.

Around 285,000 couples are eligible every year for shared parental leave, but take-up "could be as low as 2%", the Department for Business said.

Around half of the general public are still unaware the option exists, nearly three years after it was introduced, the government said.

It now plans to spend £1.5m to better inform parents about the policy.

Read more here.

Tory MSP Alison Harris says parents should spend as much time with young children as possible.

Social culture has not progressed to the point where fathers feel comfortable to take time of work at such a pivotal moment in the children's lives, she suggests.

The Tory MSP argues it must become the norm for both parents to take leave.

She reflects on the positive impact this may have on the gender pay gap.

Before seeking legislative changes, we should focus on changing the culture so fathers feel able to take leave Ms Harris concludes.

The SNP MSP expresses disappointment that Cosla is refusing to have a discussion on improving paternity leave among councils, praising North Lanarkshire Council for having done so already.

I'm calling on all private and public organisations to implement a better policy, he states.

But he also recognises that this should be sorted at UK level.

Mr Macgregor urges the UK government to implement paternity leave of at least 4 weeks and preferable up to 12.

Mr Macgregor says the Scottish government has made massive steps in gender equality.

But there is more to be done which is why this debate is focusing on paternity leave, he explains.

The lack of support for fathers only reflects and entrenches the stereotype of mothers are caregivers and fathers as breadwinner, the SNP MSP states.

Mr Macgregor points to recent improvements which means now, for every hour a mother devotes to a caring role, a father devotes 30 minutes.

"Fathers like myself do want to spend more time with their children," he says.

Image source, Getty Images

A lack of action in key areas of climate policy is being masked by good progress in decarbonising the power sector.

Those are the findings of a report sent to Scottish ministers.

The Committee on Climate Change said action was needed to speed-up progress in areas like agriculture.

Its assessment said the primary reason for meeting recent targets was the closure of coal-fired power stations at Longannet and Cockenzie.

The Scottish government said it welcomes the report which shows Scotland is on track to meet future targets.

Read more.