That's all from Holyrood Live on Tuesday 30 April 2019.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has insisted Scotland would continue to use the pound in the immediate aftermath of independence.

He said a new currency would not be established until it could be done safely, meeting six tests set out in the Sustainable Growth Commission.

He was responding to a topical question from Labour MSP James Kelly, who suggested dropping the pound would make families worse off.

SNP members voted to replace the pound with a separate Scottish currency "as soon as practicable" at conference at the weekend.

Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick says the government recognises change is essential as the demand for support has grown.

The integration of health and social care is a significant reform and will ensure services are sustainable for the future, he adds.

He points to efforts to see the creation of the first national action plan on neurological conditions which is currently out for consultation.

The minister says £2.4m has been invested to enhance specialist services.

Scientists believe zebrafish hold important clues in the search for treatments for Parkinson's disease.

Research led by Edinburgh University has found key brain cells that are damaged in people with the neurological condition could be regenerated.

Parkinson's disease happens when cells in the brain responsible for producing the chemical dopamine are destroyed.

When these cells die, or become damaged, the loss of dopamine causes body movements to become impaired.

Read more.

Pallab Ghosh
Science correspondent, BBC News

A treatment that has restored the movement of patients with chronic Parkinson's disease has been developed by Canadian researchers.

Previously housebound patients are now able to walk more freely as a result of electrical stimulation to their spines.

A quarter of patients have difficulty walking as the disease wears on, often freezing on the spot and falling.

Parkinson's UK hailed its potential impact on an aspect of the disease where there is currently no treatment.

Read more.

Image source, bbc

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur joins other MSPs in praising Parkinson's UK and urges the minister to meet with them to discuss the implementation of the recommendations in their report.

Mr McArthur also cites the lack of Parkinson's nurses in place to meet demand.

He points out Orkney has no resident consultant and adds there is also no specialist nurse there, having to rely on a nurse in Aberdeen.

A Scottish woman who astonished doctors with her ability to detect Parkinson's disease through smell has helped scientists find what causes the odour.

Researchers in Manchester said they had identified the molecules on the skin linked to the smell and hope it could lead to early detection.

The study was inspired by Joy Milne, a 68-year-old retired nurse from Perth.

She first noticed the "musky" smell on her husband Les, who was years later diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

Read more here.

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie says each diagnosis of Parkinson's effects each patient and their support networks differently.

The Scottish government and our health boards really need to step up to the plate given the predicted rise in people with Parkinson's, she argues.

Ms Baillie highlights there are already fewer specialist nurses in the disease than is required.

She insists there needs to be more resources, shorter waiting times and multi-disciplinary teams for Parkinson's care.

Sir Billy Connolly has insisted he does not fear death as he revealed how laughter was helping him cope with Parkinson's disease.

The comedian said he viewed old age as an adventure that was preparing him for the "next episode in the spirit world".

But he said there was "still time to go yet, places to go, new friends to make, new songs to write and sing and jokes to tell".

The 76-year-old was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2012.

Read more.

A shortage of neurology consultants has led to "unacceptable" waiting times for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, a report has warned.

Parkinson's UK has called for the Scottish government to plan and resource services to ensure the complex needs of patients are met.

Around 12,400 people in Scotland have been diagnosed with Parkinson's, a figure expected to increase by 40% of the next 20 years.

The charity has called for multi-disciplinary teams of professionals in the disease to be established.

Read the report here., external

The draft National Action Plan on Neurological Conditions sets out the vision of improving diagnosis, treatment and care of people with neurological conditions in Scotland, and describes our commitments to achieve this vision.

This consultation, external invites people living with neurological conditions, carers, those who provide neurological services and wider health and social care organisations to consider and respond to the commitments made in the draft plan.

Download the consultation paper., external

Image source, bbc

Miles Briggs praises the excellent work of Parkinson's UK in Scotland.

The Tory MSP says all of us will know someone who has Parkinson's, a condition that can be so utterly devastating.

He mentions former colleague Margo MacdDonald, who he says is still sorely missed by those who knew her at Holyrood.

The independent MSP and former SNP politician died having battled Parkinson's disease.

The vast majority of health boards are unable to meet the 12 week target of seeing a neurologist for someone living with Parkinson's, he points out.

Scotland should have at least 40 Parkinson's nurses but has less than 30 he points out.

Tory MSP Miles Briggs is leading a debate on Parkinson's in Scotland.

His motion highlights the disease is the second most common neuroprogressive condition.

It also highlights a recent report raising concerns about the needs of patients not being met.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Education committee deputy convener Johann Lamont says charging before SQA level means some children are prevented from becoming proficient enough for that level.

Music is good for the confidence and mental health of young people, she highlights.

If we are to retain a broad education for young people, music and instrument tuition must be preserved Ms Lamont insists.

The deputy convener asks whether council decisions are being driven by a lack of resources.

Image source, bbc

John Swinney says the central dilemma is about the degree to which this should be down to local discretion or whether this should be a matter of national determination.

Cosla has agreed minimum standards of eligibility he tells the chamber.

However parliament must decide if it wishes to pursue localism, the education secretary adds, as the Tories demand it and criticise the government for centralisation.

Today the Tories have argued he should apply centralisation to avoid the postcode lottery in instrumental music tuition, he elucidates.

Mr Swinney tells the chamber he thinks instrumental music tuition should not have a charge, as it is difficult to tell when a child is on the trajectory for an SQA qualification.

Tory MSP Oliver Mundell says for lots of young people, music is not just a hobby but directly connected to their identity.

It is particularly disappointing when inequality sees those most disadvantaged more likely to lose out, he adds.

The answer is not to look for rigid standardisation as a one-size-fits-all approach would not work the Tory MSP states.

But he emphasises the need to make access to tuition open to all who want it.

Image source, bbc

Scottish Labour's education spokesperson Iain Gray says the conundrum is facing the reality of council finance, maintaining local democracy and providing instrumental music tuition.

"We haven't really found our way out of the conundrum."

Mr Gray points out nobody is saying we should charge for instrumental music tuition.

It is not good enough to just say some councils provide it for free, as those that do struggle he adds.