That's all from Holyrood Live on Tuesday 22 January 2018.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman told MSPs an infection linked to pigeon droppings was a "contributing factor" in the death of a child at a Glasgow hospital.

Ms Freeman ordered a review of the design of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital after the deaths of two patients.

The hospital has put infection control measures in place, and officials insist it is safe for patients and visitors.

The health secretary said there was an "absolute focus on patient safety".

Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey agrees we must do all we can do to increase uptake rates and describes the current rate as disappointing.

The minister highlights an outreach service by Jo's Trust in Glasgow which seeks to reach those people who are less likely to attend a screening.

From 28 January, there will be a campaign targeting younger women she adds.

The Scottish government is looking at the possibility of a national pilot for self-screening, Ms Haughey confirms.

Image source, SPL

In 2017 we reported Scotland's NHS was to introduce a more accurate test for cervical cancer which could help patients get treated sooner.

Under the plans, women who are offered a routine smear test for cervical cancer will also be checked for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which has been strongly linked to the cancer.

The new test is expected to be available to patients by 2019-20.

Read more here.

Image source, bbc

Green MSP Alison Johnstone says the uptake of smear tests has fallen dramatically, with young women having the lowest levels of uptake and uptake in areas of deprivation being particularly low.

Ms Johnstone says cervical screening saves 5,000 lives a year.

She calls for innovation in the ways we remind women they need a smear, for example using twitter.

The Green MSP says 80% of women say they would rather carry out the test at home if that were made possible.

Cervical screening may be extremely difficult after sexual violence, says Ms Johnstone, highlighting the My Body Back project in Glasgow.

She ponders whether incentivising GPs to increase their rate of smear tests might be required.

Tory MSP Miles Briggs says screening can save lives.

Six women each week are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Scotland, he says.

Mr Briggs tells the chamber men do have a role to play - by encouraging their female relatives and friends to attend a screening.

We must all look at how we can reduce the barriers which prevent women attending their screening, he says.

Image source, NATASHA SALE

An online petition set up by a mother before she died of cervical cancer will be considered for debate in the UK Parliament.

Natasha Sale, 31, from Newton Abbot, Devon, campaigned to lower the cervical screening age from 25 to 18.

She was diagnosed in 2016 and wanted to help the "next generation of young ladies".

Her supporters said reaching the target of 100,000 signatures was what "Tash would have wanted".

She had obtained more than 78,000 signatures before her death.

Read more here.

Image source, FACEBOOK

Image source, bbc

Ms Lennon says Jo's Trust told her about Nicola from Scotland who was diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 35, after she put off her smear test from a year before.

The Labour MSP says Nicola had to have a radical hysterectomy and now says she looks forward to the day when no-one is diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Ms Lennon argues more could be done by health boards to monitor GP practices with a low uptake for cervical screening.

She praises the Scottish government and Jo's Trust for the Let's Nip Cervical Cancer in the Bud campaign run last year and she also praises the introduction of HPV test.

"In conclusion there are many reasons why women put off their smear tests, but one overriding reason why they shouldn't.

"The test protects against cervical cancer and can save lives."

She praises volunteers and board members of Jo's Trust in the gallery for all their work.

Image source, bbc

Image source, SNS

Scottish football legend Willie Henderson will spend his 75th birthday trekking 100 miles across the Sahara.

The former Rangers winger and Scotland international leaves for his trip on Saturday, and is making the journey to raise money and awareness in the fight against cervical cancer.

His daughter, Michelle, died of the disease when she was 28 years old.

By the end of his trip, he will have raised £300,000 for a charity set up in her memory.

The money raised buys gynaecology equipment for hospitals.

• Cervical screenings fall short of target
• How a smear test saved my life
• Cervical cancer symptoms campaign touring Scotland
• Read more here

Image source, Willie Henderson

Labour MSP Monica Lennon says there is much to be positive about when it comes to cervical cancer, thanks to the development of the HPV vaccine and cervical screenings.

However, not enough women are attending their smear tests she says.

"Let's face it - no one likes having a smear test," she says, telling the chamber that she has ignored reminder letters in the past.

She says we need to remove the embarrassment and fear around smear tests.

Image source, Jo's cervical cancer trust

Click here for Jo's cervical cancer trust's website., external

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust was the concept of London businessman, James Maxwell (1957 – 2003) in memory of his wife, Jo (1959 – 1999) who died from cervical cancer at the age of 40.Click here to read Jo's story, external.

Image source, Science Photo Library

Labour MSP Monica Lennon will now lead a debate on the latest cervical screening uptake statistics, released in September 2018, which show that uptake is falling, with more than one in four women not taking up their invitation.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Image source, Scottish Parliament

The government motion from the city deals debate is amended by Labour.

Colin Smyth's amendment received the backing of all MSPs.

The motion thus amended was passed, with 80 MSPs backing it and 33 against.

The Conservative amendment below was defeated, with 28 MSPs backing it and 86 against.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Business Minister Jamie Hepburn says this parliament should sent a message to the UK government that it should match the level of investment of the Scottish government committing.

To that end, he confirms his party will not be supporting the Scottish Tory amendment.

Mr Hepburn agrees with members who have called for more engagement with local communities on investment plans.

The minister says there have been challenges with getting the Borderlands deal over the line but he hopes a meeting with the UK government will prove fruitful.

He reiterates the Scottish government is willing to sign the Ayrshire growth deal this Friday.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton says: "We can all agree that when the Scottish and UK governments work together we can achieve great things."

Ms Hamilton argues city deals and regional economic partnership give parts of Scotland outside the central belt a fair chance.

She says the Borders only saw limited investment from the Edinburgh city deal.

The Tory MSP points out £1bn has come from the UK government and she complains about SNP MSP Shona Robison's complaints about the level of funding.

She welcomes the UK government's progress on the Borderlands deal and calls on the Scottish government to emulate.