Summary

  • Nicola Sturgeon faces questions from opposition party leaders during FMQs

  • Carlaw and the FM clash over indyref2 and second Brexit referendum

  • Sturgeon defends public service record as Leonard cites mental health issues among education staff

  • Agreement from FM in condemning Serco's lock-change eviction policy raised by Harvie

  • Rennie asks about mental health of police and Sturgeon insists officers are supported

Live Reporting

Louise Wilson and Craig Hutchison

  1. NHS Highland not making long-term changes required

    Mr Beattie wonders if either of the health boards are in a position to move forward and make changes.

    NHS Tayside is starting to show signs of progress, replies Ms Gardner, but NHS Highland has more challenges ahead.

    Responses from NHS Highland so far tend to have been short-term and reactive, but it is long-term changes that are needed she adds.

    SNP MSP Alex Neil

    SNP MSP Alex Neil questions whether there should be a fundamental look at the whole structure of the NHS, specifically wondering whether there needs to be 15 different administrations with the overheads that entails.

    Ms Gardner says this is a political decision, rather than one for her.

  2. NHS Highland has no director of finance currently

    Joanne Brown from Grant Thornton UK LLPbbc

    Joanne Brown from Grant Thornton UK LLP

    Joanne Brown from Grant Thornton UK LLP says the one permanent role NHS Highland has failed to fill is the director of finance and they have tried twice unsuccessfully to get one.

    Ms Brown adds it is critical the board gets its governance right.

    The initial increase in the size of the board emerged after concerns highlighted by this committee, points out Ms Gardner.

    The auditor general says it is a concern that it has been difficult to recruit non-executive staff as well, with NHS Highland having two unfilled vacancies for over a year confirmed by her colleague Fiona Mitchell-Knight.

  3. NHS leaders tend to be paid less in Scotland

    The NHS across Scotland is having to deal with the pressures of an ageing population and more complex conditions but these two health boards seem to be more pressured than most, says Ms Gardner.

    She highlights senior and leadership positions within the NHS in Scotland tend to be paid less than similar ones in NHS England which can lead to problems with recruiting externally.

    SNP MSP Colin Beattie suggests given the risks within the two health boards' leadership seems to be "like a poisoned chalice".

    The auditor general agrees there are risks and challenges which will require some time to address.

  4. Serious concerns about finances and governance of NHS Tayside

    Ms Gardnerbbc

    Ms Gardner pivots to NHS Tayside, highlighting a series of serious concerns about finances and governance.

    The auditor general says for the last seven years the board has received brokerage for the government.

    In 2018/19 there were savings of £23m but it still required £17.6m brokerage, she adds.

    The auditor general says there are challenges ahead.

  5. Background: NHS Tayside overspends on nursing and agency costs

    NHS Tayside

    NHS Tayside will continue to require financial assistance until 2021/22 to balance its budget, Audit Scotland has said.

    While improvements were found in financial management and governance, the report also highlighted "significant" overspends in nursing and agency costs, prescriptions, and referring patients outside of Tayside.

    The health board has been in an unsustainable financial position since 2013.

    Auditor General Caroline Gardner said: "So far there is little evidence of the sustainable service redesign and transformation that is critical to reducing costs while maintaining or improving services."

    Read the report here.

  6. NHS Highland targets 'unrealistic'

    Auditor General Caroline Gardner

    Auditor General Caroline Gardner explains NHS Highland has had continued difficulty with meeting financial targets.

    She suggests the health board's targets are "unrealistic" given its problems with finding savings in the recent past.

    Problems relating to the culture withing NHS Highland is also highlighted, specifically incidents of bullying and inappropriate behaviour.

    Ms Gardner expresses concern about the board's capacity to bring about the necessary changes needed to get back onto a stable financial footing.

  7. Background: Resign of NHS Highland services needed 'urgently'

    Raigmore Hospital

    NHS Highland must urgently redesign its services if it to regain a stable financial footing, Audit Scotland has concluded.

    The health board has identified £50.5m of savings for 2018/19, but only realised £32.5m of savings.

    The Scottish government had to bring £18m in loans to ensure the health board met its financial targets.

    Auditor General Caroline Gardner said: "The scale of changes needed are such that the board is unlikely to become financially stable in the next two years."

    Read the full report here.

  9. Committee will begin shortly

    NHS staffGetty Images

    The Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee is taking evidence on the 2018/19 audits of NHS Highland and NHS Tayside this morning.

    MSPs will hear from the auditor general and Audit Scotland.

    The report about NHS Highland found "complex and ongoing problems" for the organisation which require "significant and long-term changes".

    Meanwhile, the NHS Tayside report found some improvements on financial management, but said there was still "substantial long-term financial and operational challenges".

    Read the committee papers here.

  10. Welcome to Holyrood Live!

    FMQsbbc

    We'll bring you extensive coverage of first minister's questions from noon

    Welcome to BBC Scotland's Holyrood Live coverage of the Scottish Parliament.

    Here's what's on today:

    9:00am: MSPs discuss the 2018/19 audits of NHS Highland and NHS Tayside with the auditor general

    11:40am: General Questions

    12:00pm: First Minister's Questions

    12:45pm: Members' Business: Ruth Maguire: Day of the Imprisoned Writer

    What impact will US tariffs have on Scotch whisky?Getty Images

    What impact will US tariffs have on Scotch whisky?

    2:30pm: Portfolio Questions: Government Business and Constitutional Relations

    2:50-5:00pm: Scottish government debate: Implications of the Imposition of US Tariffs on Scottish Products