The final stage 3 amendment deals with a report on the process for taking evidence from child witnesses in criminal proceedings.

Tory MSP Margaret Mitchell says the amendment ensures there will be a review of the government's process on adopting Barnehus principles, including around accommodation and reducing the number of interviews with child witnesses.

SNP MSP Rona Mackay speaks against the amendment, saying it would create a onerous six-monthly reporting requirement without a clear end point.

Labour MSP Daniel Johnson admits he is "somewhat conflicted" because he agrees with what Ms Mitchell said but he disagrees with the amendment for the same reasons as Ms Mackay.

Community Safety Minister Ash Denham says the government is committed to making progress towards a trauma-informed process for children but she does not believe the amendment is the way to do it.

She emphasises work is underway to set out a road map to Barnehus.

Ms Mitchell expresses concern that legislation might slip off the agenda and chooses to press her amendment.

Norway's radical method of dealing with child witnesses and victims of sexual assault has attracted interest from senior judges and ministers in Scotland.

The Barnehus or Children's House model was introduced in Norway following widespread criticism of low prosecution and conviction rates in relation to child abuse.

The aim is to offer treatment, as well as interview and support the children in one centre - away from the police station and courtroom.

"It is like coming to Grandma's house because everything is so welcoming and there is always food in the kitchen," says Linnea, who gave evidence there more than two years ago.

Read more.

Community Safety Minister Ash Denham explains amendments in the first group on taking evidence by commissioner are all technical in nature - and all are agreed.

On to the second group, Tory MSP Liam Kerr moves his amendment which he explains deals with a review of the legislation.

Others, including the minister, speak in support of the amendment which consequently passes.

Children and rape victims will no longer have to give evidence in a courtroom under plans unveiled by the Scottish government.

A draft bill would allow vulnerable victims in the most serious cases to give pre-recorded evidence instead.

It follows a call from Scotland's most senior judge to introduce such a change.

The bill also includes a power to extend the new rule to adult witnesses deemed to be vulnerable.

Read more here.

MSPs are debating the Vulnerable Witnesses (Criminal Evidence) (Scotland) Bill, external.

First, members will consider stage 3 amendments:

• marshalled list, external
• groupings, external

This will be followed by a general debate, with a vote to be taken at 5pm.

Image source, Google

Hundreds of health workers have potentially experienced inappropriate behaviour at a Scottish health board, an independent review has suggested.

The review led by John Sturrock QC said staff had described suffering "fear, intimidation and inappropriate behaviour at work".

Concerns raised by a group of clinicians prompted the review.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman apologised and said other health boards should learn lessons.

At Holyrood, Ms Freeman said it was important to support the review's recommendations.

Read more here.

Green MSP John Finnie asks about timelines for a further review recommended by John Sturrock.

The health secretary says she will update the member after the Scottish government has looked into taking it forward.

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton asks about changing processes to deal with similar problems sooner in the future.

Ms Freeman suggests it is not about processes, but rather the dilemma about when a government should support health boards and when it should intervene directly.

"It is a judgement every single time," she adds.

Labour MSP David Stewart asks what new system will be put in place for those who lost jobs, left jobs and suffered mental health problems due to the culture of bullying.

He also asks about the impact this has had on the reputation of NHS Highland.

Ms Freeman says the board will actively look at the steps it will take next and "heal by moving forward".

Tory MSP Edward Mountain says only the Scottish government and casual observers did not see a problem within NHS Highland.

He highlights the review found there was "fear and intimidation among the staff", some of whom have suffered serious harm.

"I have never read such a damning report on management."

The Tory MSP calls on the health secretary to apologise to the staff.

Ms Freeman says she has already apologised and will do so again.

The process from now must be restorative and move us forward, she insists.

Image source, Scottish Government

An independent review into allegations of a "bullying culture" at NHS Highland will be led by John Sturrock QC, the Scottish government has said.

A group of senior clinicians claimed there had been a culture of "fear and intimidation" at the board for at least a decade.

Doctors from across the Highlands hadcalled for a fully independent investigation into the allegations.

NHS Highland said it welcomed external input and had "nothing to hide".

Read more.

Ms Freeman says the recruitment, training and development of board members across NHS Scotland must be improved.

A process of recruiting non-executive whistle-blowing champions to all health boards will be in place by the end of the year, she confirms.

After the summer recess, Ms Freeman will update the health committee on its progress.

I am committed to doing all that we can to ensure that everyone in NHS Scotland feels valued and supported, she concludes.

A group of senior clinicians at NHS Highland have spoken out about what they claim to be a culture of bullying at the health board.

The doctors said that for at least a decade there had been a "practice of suppressing criticism, which emanates from the very top of the organisation".

They said this had led to a culture of "fear and intimidation" that has had a "detrimental effect" on staff.

NHS Highland said it was aware of an accusation of a bullying culture.

The health board said it took such allegations extremely seriously.

Read more here.

NHS Highland staff must be central to the approach going forward, the health secretary says, adding she had instructed the health board to consider this report and engage with staff.

Ms Freeman adds that while this review focused on NHS Highland, its finding around engendering the values of NHS Scotland across all health boards are useful.

She confirms she will convene a short-life working group, with representation from NHS boards, staff, the Royal Colleges and the professional and regulatory bodies.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says the review provided a safe space for NHS Highland staff to raise collective and individual concerns.

This review identified a number of cultural issues which have not always reflected the values of NHS Scotland, she says.

This is not acceptable, nor can it be allowed to continue Ms Freeman tells the chamber.

Image source, Google

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman is delivering the Scottish government’s response to the Sturrock review into NHS Highland.

The full report, led by John Sturrock QC, is available here, external.

The government's response has also been published, external.

Image source, Scottish government

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman will respond to the review into NHS Highland bullying allegations.

Then environment ministers face portfolio questions before MSPs debate the Vulnerable Witnesses (Criminal Evidence) (Scotland) Bill for the final time.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville says the decision to change pension credit will impact on the poorest and most vulnerable in society most.

It is "just another example" of the UK government making it difficult for people to get support they need, she suggests.

She highlights no impact assessment took place ahead of this change.

Those on pension credit at the moment are not safe because one change of circumstance could mean they lose out, the cabinet secretary warns.

She urges the UK government to reconsider the change.