The first minister replies the government is continuing to implement the diabetes, heart disease and stroke improvement plans, which she says are making a difference.

Mr Whittle says a recent report said gastric band surgery should be available on the NHS, but adds it would be better to encourage activities that increase physical and mental health.

The first minister replies the surgery is available on the NHS but only after a clinical decision.

She also agrees prevention is important and reiterates public health measures being undertaken.

Tory MSP Brian Whittle asks about action to reduce levels of diabetes, heart disease and stroke among over 65s.

Image source, Getty Images

The UK has fewer doctors and nurses and poorer access to elderly long-term care than other rich nations, a study shows.

The OECD review said good-quality long-term care was particularly important for improving the quality of life for older populations.

But while access to health care was good, it was a different picture for long-term care, which includes help with daily tasks such as washing and dressing.

It said British people generally had high levels of poor health after 65 - only 50% of women and 60% of men are free from disability after this point.

Read more about the report.

The first minister points to the gender pay gap action plan published in March, which including 50 actions to tackle it.

The gender pay gap is "outrageous" in this day and age she says and suggests more could be done if more powers were devolved.

Ms Martin highlights today is Equal Pay Day and adds women should not still be waiting for equal pay for equal work 50 years after the Equal Pay Act.

It is positive the median gender pay gap has reduced in the lifetime of this parliament but there should be not pay gap at all, replies the first minister.

There will be no equality while women are paid less than men, she states.

SNP MSP Gillian Martin asks about action to promote equal pay among men and women.

Today is Equal Pay Day - the day when the gender pay gap means women in effect start working for free compared with men.

Figures published at the end of October found that pay gap had closed slightly to 13.1%.

It was 13.9% last year.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Willie Coffey asks about progress with the Ayrshire Growth Deal.

Ms Sturgeon replies the Scottish government has worked with partners to try and agree a final deal.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Clare Adamson highlights many disability benefits decisions are overturned at appeal and says disabled people must be treated with dignity and respect.

Ms Sturgeon agrees the number of upheld appears show the system is not working and insists the Scottish system will ensure the right level of information is taken from the start to ensure the need for appeal is limited.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr suggests the Scottish government has been misleading people regarding employment figures.

The first minister refutes this, saying the stats he is referring to were the most up-to-date official labour market statistics.

Labour MSP James Kelly draws the first minister's attention that rape victims whose mobile phones had been retained by Police Scotland were still being charged by mobile phone companies.

The first minister agrees with Mr Kelly that this is an important issue and explains a rape victim's phone should only be held for an evidential reason

Ms Sturgeon says it is unacceptable mobile phone companies continue to charge people whose phones are held in this way.

The Sunday Post reported at the weekend that mobile firms are billing rape victims whose phones have been retained by police, external as evidence during lengthy criminal investigations.

Mr Rennie says the Scottish government promised new mental health staff to work alongside the police to help them cope.

This has added up to an additional 7.5 members of staff, he states.

This is “just not good enough,” he argues and calls for “practical action” to increase support for police.

The first minister says the government is investing in the police service and mental health workers across sectors.

We are very focused every single day on improving services, she adds.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie says Police Staff Survey is three years late making people suspicious that it is bad news for the police.

Mr Rennie says the number of days lost due to mental health is up 11% in just two years for police officers.

Ms Sturgeon replies she will write to Mr Rennie to say exactly when the survey is happening.

The welfare of police is important which is why the level of police officers is higher than when the SNP came into office, she adds.

Mr Harvie agrees the UK government's "hostile environment" is at the root of the problem but what people need immediately is somewhere to stay.

Adequate emergency accommodation is still not in place and at least 150 people face imminent eviction and homelessness, he states, and asks when arrangements will be in place to support them.

This is not about apportioning blame but discussing where legal responsibilities lie, replies the first minister.

She says the communities secretary will be happy to liaise with Patrick Harvie about what support can be offered.

"Short-term we'll do everything we can."

Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie raises the issue of Scotland's highest court ruling that lock-change evictions of asylum seekers without court orders are lawful.

The judgment from the Inner House of the Court of Session, external backs up an earlier ruling.

Mr Harvie says if "Serco's despicable policy" is lawful we must still say it isn't right, asking what action will be take to address this "humanitarian crisis".

The first minister agrees with Mr Harvie saying she is "horrified at the implications of this judgement".

Ms Sturgeon says we have ended up here due to an inhumane and degrading Uk government asylum system.

She says the government will do all it can to best support people who are affected by this.

Read more about this story here.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant raises "chaos" caused by the breakdown of the MV Loch Seaforth ferry.

Ms Sturgeon says lifeline ferry services are monitored closely and weather played a role in disruption caused. She goes on to point to investment in ferries and ferry instrastructure.

SNP MSP Keith Brown highlights waiting times figures on NHS England release today showing delays in A&E have hit their worst level.

The first minister says Scotland's A&E services have outperformed those elsewhere in the UK for the last 4.5 years.

SNP MSP Christine Grahame says she has heard from distressed and angry constituents with partners with dementia who found themselves with no care packages in the Scottish Borders.

There are responsibilities of for Scottish Borders Council here and she pledges to have the health secretary look into this, replies Ms Sturgeon.

Tory MSP Alexander Stewart says there has been a 63% increase in the number of aggressive confrontations against education staff in Fife

Any violence in any workplace in schools is completely unacceptable, says Ms Sturgeon.

From the Daily Record: , external

A child with cancer, external died after contracting an infection caused by the contaminated water supply in Glasgow’s super-hospital, external, a whistleblower has claimed.

The insider said a doctor-led investigation uncovered the infection link and it is also claimed the child’s parents were not told about the findings of the probe.

Mr Sarwar, contacted by the whistleblower, described it as a “scandal”.

The £842million Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, external opened in 2015 and the campus includes the adjoining Royal Hospital for Children (RHC).

Read more here., external

Labour MSP Anas Sarwar says senior managers at the QUEH were alerted to contamination in the water support.

"This isn't just a scandal, it's a heartbreaking human tragedy."

He says the first minister is not being told the truth and urges her to intervene to seek answers.

Ms Sturgeon says the health secretary is personally involved in these cases and says the government is determined matters are fully investigated.

She says a public inquiry into the issues has been announced and the health secretary will set out the full details of this as soon as possible.

Tory MSP Edward Mountain asks about a 78 week delay for orthopedic operations within NHS Highland.

The first minister points to an £850m investment in tackling waiting times across the NHS.