We can't ignore what frontline staff of the NHS are telling us, Ms Johstone says, citing the Sturrock review into bullying in NHS Highland and issues at NHS Tayside.

"There is a disturbing pattern here."

Things will only worsen with the UK government's post-Brexit immigration plans and adds that the devaluation of so many of our foreign workers is appalling.

She accuses the UK government of being short sighted at best.

Image source, bbc

Scottish Green Party parliamentary co-leader Alison Johnstone says health inequalties drive so much of the pressure on our NHS.

Ms Johnstone argues they continue to permeate our society, citing expert advise on child obesity and mental health issues.

"Of course, while accountability for failings is essential, we need to avoid perpetuating a blame culture."

She warns of deeply concerning reports about the work culture in the NHS and quotes the departing chair of NHS Lothian Brian Houston, and his concerns about the Scottish government.

The former head of NHS Lothian accused parts of the Scottish government of failing to treat the board with "dignity and respect".

Image source, PA

Mr Briggs cites concerns about NHS wokforce planning and reiterates calls for NHS sleep pods for staff.

He also calls for mental health and financial support for NHS workers.

The Tory MSP pivots to hospital parking, calling for the unfair charging of staff to end and he proposes a refund scheme.

A call for a comprehensive review of patient parking should also be considered, adds Mr Briggs.

He argues that £700m of health Barnett consequentials will be coming due to parking changes in England and Wales.

From April, all 206 hospital trusts in England will be expected to begin offering NHS patients and visitors ree hospital car parking, in line with the UK government's manifesto promise, external.

Mr Briggs also calls for action on access to services for chronic pain.

The Tory MSP hopes ministers will use this debate to listen to concerns and to take action.

Mr Briggs repeats a call for a full debate around the Sturrock review on bullying in NHS Highland.

It suggested hundreds of health workers had potentially experienced inappropriate behaviour.

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, external.

• 'Culture of bullying' at NHS board

Conservative Miles Briggs says Jeane Freeman doesn't have a grasp of what's happening in the NHS.

"Turning up for a photo opportunity is one thing" he says.

Mr Briggs mentions junior doctors working hours, citing the case of a junior doctor who was killed while driving home from a 12 hour shift.

Ms Freeman details improvements in the NHS in terms of waiting times

There is more to do, but these improvements should neither be ignored or dismissed, argues the health secretary.

She insists she is not denying challenges or problems, but adds the right approach is being taken to address them.

Monica Lennon intervenes, accusing the SNP minister of more spin and more denial.

The health secretary denies it - saying action is being taken.

Health spending has risen by 5.2% - to over £15bn in the budget, says Ms Freeman.

Investment must be matched with reform, she adds.

Ms Freeman says the impact of the delay to the Edinburgh Sick Kid's hospital has hit the public purse, bullying is detrimental to staff, and in the most tragic circumstances loss of life devastates families, particularly when they are children.

As health secretary, she says: "How sorry I am that anyone should have these experiences."

It's not acceptable, she adds, but the minister criticises the Labour motion saying it calls for ministers to chair annual board reviews which they already do.

It also calls for Holyrood committees to be able to call witnesses, which they already can, she adds.

The minister accuses Labour of creating "weak lines for press releases.

"Overall, under the SNP, NHS staff numbers are up by 11.3%."

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman says longer lives are testament to the NHS - but says the change in population is having an effect on the health service, adding pressure.

She says Westminster policies on pensions and immigration will have an effect on health and recruitment.

The UK government's plans for immigration would be "devastating" for Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has claimed.

Labour's Daniel Johnson asks how this affects the building of two unfit hospitals in Scotland at either end of the M8.

I'll get to that replies Ms Freeman.

Ms Lennon says so many chief executives or chairs of NHS boards have resigned or moved on.

"We need a plan for reform."

She calls for an end to the culture of secrecy and she stresses her disappointment that the Scottish government has deleted much of the concerns in her motion.

Ms Lennon points to a Herald reporter who's had real problems trying to get information about infection statistics at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow via FOI requests.

It shouldn't have taken a year to get a public inquiry called, she says, saying there has been a medical mafia operating behind the scenes.

She focuses on issues at the QEUH, Edinburgh Sick Kid's and in mental health services in Tayside and cites boards that have gone into special measures.

Image source, bbc

Ms Lennon says minister's are attempting to delete much of Labour's motion.

"This nothing to see here attitude is an insult to patients and staff."

The Labour MSP cites a serious of issues including:

• the delay to the opening of Edinburgh Sick Kids
• waiting times getting worse despite the Waiting Times Improvement Plan
• the CAHMS 18 week waiting time target not being met since Nicola Sturgeon became first minister
• issues around chronic pain
• tragic deaths of children at the QEUH

Image source, Kimberly Darroch

Image source, bbc

Scottish Labour's health spokesperson Monica Lennon says this debate highlights some of the risks facing Scotland's NHS.

Ms Lennon cites concerns about governance and financial sustainability.

The NHS is now not always available at the point of contact, says the Labour MSP, citing families affected by suicide in Tayside and health whistleblowers.

Ms Lennon says junior doctors need to be protected.

Fundamental concerns about working patterns need to be addressed, she says.

Image source, bbc

Scottish Labour Party Debate: Standing up for NHS staff and patients.

Islands Minister Paul Wheelhouse says the Scottish government continually reviews its procurement process.

Mr Johnson says we need answers from the government why two ferries are being built that CalMac didn't want.

Mr Johnson is trying to get ahead of the committee inquiry into this, Mr Wheelhouse hits back, pointing out he will be appearing before the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee soon, although later than planned.

The minister fundamentally disagrees about Mr Johnson's view on the design of the vessels, and he points out in terms of procurement, the government are supporting a very important business in Inverclyde.

Image source, Getty Images

Ferry operator CalMac did not want the type of vessel that is being built for it in a project that is now behind schedule and over budget, an inquiry has heard.

The two new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) ferries are being built at the Ferguson Marine yard on the Clyde.

But a Holyrood committee was told the chief executive of CalMac admitted he did not want LNG ferries.

The claim was made by Luke van Beek, a former Scottish government adviser.

The committee also heard claims from tycoon Jim McColl, who took over Ferguson's in 2014, that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the details of the ferry contract, including the cost of the vessels, before it had been agreed.

• Why are we building gas-powered ships?
• What's gone wrong with CalMac's new ferries?
• Ferguson shipyard bosses blamed for ferries fiasco
• Read more here