Image source, bbc

Health committee convener Lewis Macdonald says the committee's report on the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Bill, external was agreed unanimously.

Workplace leaders are best placed to decide the staffing requirements on any given day, says Mr Macdonald.

The general principles of legislation - aiming to ensure health and social care providers are providing adequate numbers - were approved by the health committee.

MSP called for more detail on how staff numbers and care quality will be assessed, monitored and reported.

Ms Freeman confirms she will bring forward a stage 2 amendment to clarify the need for clear mechanisms for day to day assessment of staff requirements.

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton seeks assurance that the bill will not result in staff being moved from non-acute services into acute services.

The health secretary confirms this will not happen, adding this is why it is important sound evidence is gathered at local and service level.

The suite of tools will constantly be reviewed and renewed to ensure they continue to be appropriate and ensure a multi-disciplinary approach, she says, and adds an amendment to clarify this will be brought forward.

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Ms Freeman explains the bill puts in place a methodology and procedures to ensure health boards have adequate staffing.

It's not about nursing alone, it is founded on the robust evidence based assessment of the care people need, she insists.

The health secretary says: "The voice of the professional must be heard as part of this process."

We must have the right staff with the right skills in place, she adds.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon agrees it is important staff are listened to and highlights one million staff sick days in the NHS due to stress in the last three years.

The health secretary says, like Ms Lennon, she take the stress facing staff very seriously and points to measures being put in place by health boards to tackle it.

Image source, Thinkstock

The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Bill seeks to place an existing workforce planning tool onto a statutory footing.

It will also see staff planning methods be used on social care settings, such as care homes.

Health boards are responsible for assessing the needs of their own populations using a set of 12 tools, which have existed since 2004. These are focused on nursing and midwifery.

Should the legislation pass, the tools will become mandatory for health boards and social care providers to use - though it is not yet clear what would happen if they did not meet their duties.

Read more about the bill in the SPICe briefing., external

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says we are living longer but not more healthier lives, which is a challenge to our health services.

The bill is grounded in and builds on an evidence-led approach she adds.

It will put in place a framework and systematic approach to delivering health and social care Ms Freeman tells the chamber.

The health secretary says the bill is an opportunity to ensure staff voices are heard and to create transparency around staffing.

Image source, SPL

The general principles of legislation aiming to ensure health and social care providers are providing adequate numbers staff have been supported by the health committee.

However, MSPs also asked for more detail on how staff numbers and care quality will be assessed, monitored and reported following their scrutiny of the Health and Care (Staffing) Bill.

They have also raised concerns about a danger of resources being skewed towards the hospital sector in order to meet the initial requirements set out in the legislation.

MSPs concluded there needs to be greater accountability with named accountable officers in all settings to make clear that it is the provider that should be responsible and not those who are delivering the care.

Read the report here. , external

Image source, Thinkstock

MSPs will now debate the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Bill for the first time.

Image source, SPL

Returning at 2:30pm, MSPs will debate the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Bill, external for the first time.

Image source, bbc

Parliamentary Business Minister Graeme Dey says this is an important topic and the world has come on a long way its approach to AIDS and HIV, as has Scotland.

Mr Dey says we must remove any barriers to testing for HIV and he also stresses the improvements in treatment over the years.

The minister says we cannot risk resting on our laurels or be complacent.

In 1988 around 140 countries took part in the first World Aids Day to raise awareness of the epidemic.

Image source, Thinkstock

A "game-changing" drug which dramatically reduces the chances of being infected with HIV is available on the NHS in Scotland.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) agreed to approve the treatment, external, which is known as Prep, in April 2017.

Scientists found that a daily dose of the drug can protect people at risk of contracting the virus.

It means Scotland became the first place in the UK to routinely offer Prep to eligible patients.

Image source, Waverly Care

Emma Harper's motion commends the joint work of Waverley Care, external and Scotland's NHS boards across to promote the "Undetectable=Untransmittable" (U=U) message.

It states that a person living with HIV who achieves and maintains an undetectable viral load cannot pass on the virus through sex

Here it is: (Undetectable=Untransmittable) message, external - that a person living with HIV who is on treatment, and who achieves and maintains an undetectable viral load, cannot pass on HIV to sexual partners.

SNP MSP Emma Harper is leading a debate to mark World AIDS Day, which took place on Saturday 1 December.

She highlights the importance of encouraging people to get tested so treatment can begin, which can prevent HIV from being transmitted to others.

"Testing is as simple as a finger prick blood sample."

Ms Harper also emphasises that the stigma much be tackled.

Image source, Scottish parliament

Image source, bbc

Thanks to those of you who pointed out our live reporting stopped at 12.07pm. Rest assured we did not stop, but there was a technical glitch, as you will have noticed.

The rest of our coverage of first minister's questions all published in one huge go, so happy reading!

Just scroll down and enjoy.