The health secretary offers her sympathies and condolences to the families of those patients who died.

NHS Lothian proactively undertook an extensive review of the incident and the lead infection control doctor is continuing to look into it, she adds.

Ms Freeman says the infection control team has been satisfied that the air filters in theatres is working as it should.

Four planned, elective surgeries were cancelled last week but these surgeries recommenced yesterday, she tells the chamber.

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Health Secretary Jeane Freeman begins her update on the actions taken by NHS Lothian after infections arising from aortic valve replacements.

NHS Lothian set an infection management team following the detection of the infections.

Health officials have now written to 186 patients operated on at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in the last six months to warn them of the potential risk of an unusual strain of heart valve infection known as endocarditis.

She says 19 patients have been passed on to the board for further discussions, following the response to the letters.

Three types of fungal mould infection affected six patients some of whom died, with no further cases since November 2018.

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Health Secretary Jeanne Freeman makes a statement on the heart surgery infections incident at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh.

NHS Lothian has written to nearly 200 patients who underwent heart surgery in the last six months to warn them of a potentially deadly infection risk.

The move comes after a review found six patients who were operated on had contracted an infection.

NHS Lothian said it is thought the infections may have been acquired during surgery and that "a number" of those patients later died.

Read more here.

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At 1:30, the health secretary makes a statement on an infection incident at Royal Infirmary Edinburgh.

The Greens begin the first of their two debates by focusing on Europe, calling for the revocation of Article 50 or, failing that, a ‘People’s Vote’.

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The second debate will be on tackling climate change, with Green MSPs reiterating their call for a Climate Emergency Change Bill.

SNP MSP and former health secretary Shona Robison will close proceeding by leading a member’s debate on the impact from celebrity endorsements of diet products, following the petition LET'S STOP influencers and celebrities working with products promoting speedy weight loss.

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At 1:30, the health secretary makes a statement on an infection incident at Royal Infirmary Edinburgh.

The Greens begin the first of their two debates by focusing on Europe, calling for the revocation of Article 50 or, failing that, a ‘People’s Vote’.

Image source, Getty Images/Pa

The second debate will be on tackling climate change, with Green MSPs reiterating their call for a Climate Emergency Change Bill.

SNP MSP and former health secretary Shona Robison will close proceeding by leading a member’s debate on the impact from celebrity endorsements of diet products, following the petition LET'S STOP influencers and celebrities working with products promoting speedy weight loss.

The committee recommends the Motor Sport on Public Roads (Scotland) Regulations 2019 [draft], external be approved.

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Mr Chapman says the rallies were stopped due to safety issues and adds it is "absolutely extraordinary" that someone who has been disqualified from driving can take part in a rally.

This is a self regulatory regime under Motor Sports UK who set the criteria for participants, replies Mr Matheson, reflected across the UK.

Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles agrees with Mr Chapman that this is not appropriate.

He says he won't oppose the SSI today but he requests this be looked at further.

Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton says rallies not taking place has led to shop closures on the Borders due to lower footfall and she asks about resource to reinstate the rally.

There are no plans but EventScotland might be engaging with organisers to provide support, Mr Matheson says.

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Tory MSP Jamie Greene pays tribute to Motor Sport UK for the tremendous work they have done on this subject.

Mr Greene asks what role the Scottish government will play in issuing guidelines for local authorities to ensure public safety at these events.

Public safety is at the heart of these regulations, insists Mr Matheson.

There are two checks in the system, one at the national level before you get the permission order and one at local level focusing on the safety system.

SNP MSP Richard Lyle asks if the review has reduced the risks associated with motor sports and Mr Matheson confirms there is a more robust safety regime in place.

SNP MSP John Mason notes the next rally is in May and he expresses concern that the process has been rushed.

The regulations gives organisers more time to look at putting on an event later in the year, the minister explains.

Scottish government official George Henry adds the May rally is subject to approval by Scottish Borders Council and Police Scotland.

Mr Matheson makes opening remarks in relation to the Motor Sport on Public Roads (Scotland) Regulations 2019 [draft], external.

He says the balance for public enjoyment and public safety must be made, following the deaths at the Snowman and Jim Clark rallies which resulted in four fatalities.

He says there have been no motor sport events on public roads since.

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Three deaths at a rally in the Scottish Borders could have been avoided if people had been clearly banned from standing in the area where the crash took place, a sheriff ruled.

A fatal accident inquiry was held into the deaths at the Jim Clark Rally in 2014, and a fourth fatality at the Snowman Rally near Inverness in 2013.

Mr Matheson says he believes the Motor Sport on Public Roads (Scotland) Regulations 2019 [draft], external set out a robust framework for holding motor events going forward.

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Committee convener Edward Mountain says: "I have jumped a page in my excitement as we got close to the end of the meeting."

So we go back a page for consideration of the Motor Sport on Public Roads (Scotland) Regulations 2019 [draft].

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Committee convener Edward Mountain says the biggest delays in the last year, excluding external events like weather, are due to ScotRail rather than Network Rail.

"I don't blame either/or. Both of them have a part to play," responds the minister.

But he adds that we are in a situation that means the Scottish government is funding infrastructure improvements but it does not manage the body with oversight of this - Network Rail.

The convener wraps up the session on ScotRail.

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Ms Ross asks if the minister is satisfied with the level of skip-stopping.

In the last couple of years skip-stopping has been overused by ScotRail, replies Mr Matheson, who argues the number has come down of late.

The minister says skip-stopping should only be used as a last resort.

Ms Ross asks about compensation for passengers facing this.

Andrew Mackie, head of rail franchising with Transport Scotland, says if a customer faces skip-stopping the passenger can get repaid if the delay is more than 30 minutes.

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Passenger satisfaction with ScotRail services has fallen to a 16-year low, according to a survey of rail users.

The survey,carried out by passenger watchdog Transport Focus, external, found that four out of five customers are satisfied with ScotRail.

But the 79% score for autumn last year is the lowest rate for that period since 2002 with delays and the late delivery of new trains being blamed.

The ScotRail satisfaction rate is the same as the average across the UK.

SNP MSP Gail Ross says passenger satisfaction is now at its lowest.

A new remedial plan is due to come to the government by the end of May at which point we will provide feedback about other elements we think should be included, says Mr Matheson.

He agrees passenger satisfaction must be integral to this and he points specifically to improving advanced warning of cancellations.

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Mr Matheson argues the infrastructure side of the railways needs to be more passenger focused and less remote.

The regulatory framework is also too inward looking, he says, arguing it too is not passenger focused enough.

Mr Greene asks for a fully costed plan for a publicly owned railway.

This will emerge from the Williams review, replies Mr Matheson.