Tory MSP Brian Whittle asks about steps to address the reported staffing shortfalls in psychiatric services, particularly those for children.

Image source, Getty Images

One in 10 consultant psychiatrist positions in Scotland are vacant, according to a new report, leading to claims the profession is facing a "workforce crisis".

A census by the Royal College of Psychiatrists found that vacancy rates are particularly high in child and adolescent mental health services.

More than one in six consultant posts (17.5%) in CAMHS is vacant.

Read more.

The first minister says we are currently spending £100m a year to mitigate welfare cuts and that is before a no-deal Brexit.

Ms Sturgeon argues steps must be taken to remove powers from Boris Johnson's hands and give them to Holyrood.

SNP MSP Tom Arthur asks how the government is marking Challenge Poverty Week.

Image source, Getty Images

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is urging the Scottish government to introduce new 'game-changer' plans to help reduce child poverty.

A new report from the organisation says that, "poverty in Scotland is rising, from an already unacceptably high level. More people are facing situations where they cannot afford the basics nor play a full role in society."

According to the latest official figures, just over one million people in Scotland are living in poverty, including 240,000 children - which is the same as one in four children.

Many charities have warned that child poverty is becoming the new normal in parts of the UK.

Read more.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr says the justice secretary committed to meeting with the family of Alesha MacPhail in September but no such meeting has gone ahead.

The first minister says Mr Yousaf committed to meeting Alesha's mum before meeting anyone else, but due to understandable reasons that meeting had to be postponed.

I do not think we should be making party political points out of the tragedy, she adds.

SNP MSP Clare Adamson raises comments from England's chief medical officer Dame Sally Davis who has warned there may be deaths if there is a no-deal Brexit.

Ms Sturgeon says the comments are absolutely horrifying.

"Do people have to die before the UK government comes to its senses and rules out a no-deal Brexit?" she says is the question Michael Gove must answer.

Mr Cole-Hamilton says the comparison with other nations is "cold comfort" to those who are waiting.

The reason people aren't being seen is because there is nobody to see them, he insists, pointing to vacancies and the delayed workforce plan.

Ms Sturgeon says the number of CAMHS psychiatrists has increased by 15% since additional investment was put in.

She also insists the government is building capacity across the NHS in light of increasing demand to ensure it delivers excellent treatment for everyone.

Image source, bbc

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton says the Waiting Times Plan was published a year ago.

Mr Cole-Hamilton says since then A&E targets have been missed every week, CAMHS has had its worst performance and he cites other issues around waiting times.

He calls on the first minister to apologise to patients affected.

The first minister says the NHS in Scotland is seeing and treating more patients than ever before investment in the Waiting Times Improvement Plan.

She accepts there remain big challenges, but points out Scotland's core A&E performance is better than England and Wales.

Mr Harvie says the Prestwick's governance structure shows that two of the first minister's officials sit on the board of the holding company, which should hold it to account.

Is there any other business plan for Prestwick except a "bargain service" for the US military?, he asks.

Mr Harvie calls for an end to the relationship between the airport and the US military.

Ms Sturgeon says the sources of revenue for Prestwick are laid out in its annual accounts.

In terms of its future, we want to return the airport to the private sector and the senior management team continues to engage with potential investors, she says.

That is what is important for the Ayrshire economy and jobs, she insists.

Image source, bbc

Scottish Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie calls on all MSPs to show solidarity with the Kurdish people betrayed and abandoned by the US and now enduring an assault by Turkey.

Mr Harvie calls on the first minister to condemn those actions and pivots to the fuelling of US planes at Prestwick.

Why should we be happy to be used as a cut-price petrol station for the US military?, he asks.

The first minister points out that the government must comply with state aid rules in terms of Prestwick

Ms Sturgeon says she is "deeply concerned and strongly opposed to Turkey's unilateral action in Northern Syria".

She adds that Donald Trump's decision to withdraw US troops was particularly reprehensible.

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins says the Lord Provost of Glasgow has ripped off the people of Glasgow over her expenses claims.

"Isn't it time she went," he asks.

Ms Sturgeon highlights that Eva Boland has reflected on the expense claims and has agreed some were not appropriate.

Image source, Glasgow City Council

The Lord Provost of Glasgow has apologised and vowed to repay some of her expenses, after facing criticism for charging £8,000 worth of clothing to the public purse.

On Tuesday it emerged Eva Bolander had claimed for 23 pairs of shoes.

In a email to council members, she defended the claims, "made in good faith", with each "within the rules".

However, she added that "on reflection", she should not have chosen to reclaim some items.

Image source, PA

Labour MSP James Kelly says the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service told MSPs that the new Barlinnie would not be operational until 2025 six years later than planned.

Mr Kelly asks what steps the government will take to address the chronic overcrowding, under-financing and under-staffing at Barlinnie.

Ms Sturgeon says the new prison is an infrastructure priority for the government and accepts that interim measures must be taken at Barlinnie.

The first minister cites funding to address the pressures on Scotland's prisons.

Tory MSP Edward Mountain says the new Highland prison has been delayed for years and the current one is not fit for purpose. He calls for the safety and wellfare of prison staff to be made a top priority.

The first minister says the justice secretary can meet with the member to discuss the issues, before highlighting a commitment to modernising the prison estate.

SNP MSP John Mason asks about concerns raised by Glasgow City Council about the number of gambling adverts.

Ms Sturgeon says the council plans to hold a summit to raise awareness of problem gambling, and the Scottish government is looking into what it can do with its powers as the UK advertising authority retains power in this area.

Mr Leonard says Dr Veronikis offered these women the first glimpse of hope that they might get their lives back.

The Scottish Labour leader says he now feels the officials and senior surgeons in Scotland obstructed his visit.

At the centre of all this is women languishing in pain, adds Mr Leonard.

He says the health secretary seems to have lost control of this issue and he calls on the first minister to act.

Ms Sturgeon replies that the cancellation of the visit has nothing to do with Jeane Freeman.

"I'm more than happy to speak to the doctor personally," she adds.

She says she wants to know about any evidence of obstruction from medical professionals.

Mr Leonard says Dr Veronikis wrote to Neil Findlay about delays and disrespectful behaviour towards him.

The Scottish Labour leader says many of the women whose medical records say they underwent full mesh removal only underwent partial removal.

Why have these women been misled and what are you going to do about it?, he asks.

The first minister agrees this is concerning and says the Scottish government is seeking to get to the bottom of this.

If Dr Veronkis is willing to reconsider, we would welcome this and we hope he will come to Scotland she adds.

Image source, bbc

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard asks if the first minister will apologise to the women who have suffered as a result of mesh implants when she meets them.

Mr Leonard asks what Ms Sturgeon has to say to a woman who contacted him and was distressed about Dr Veronikis cancelling his visit.

The first minister says the halting of mesh implant procedures shows how seriously the government is taking this issue.

It is my desire to have Dr Veronikis come here, insists Ms Sturgeon.