In Parliament
Victims Consultation launched
A consultation on improving victims’ experience in the justice system, with a particular focus on sexual offences, has opened.
The 12-week consultation is part of a wide-ranging programme of work to transform the justice system and deliver the Scottish Government’s new ‘Vision for Justice’ in Scotland.
The consultation aims to explore how to improve victim’s experiences of the system by putting them at the centre to create a more trauma informed and person-centred experience. It will close on 5 August 2022, and can be accessed here: https://consult.gov.scot/justice/victimsconsultation/
Mesh Reimbursement Fund Opens
On 6 June 2022, a dedicated fund to repay mesh removal costs will open for applications. The Transvaginal Mesh Removal Reimbursement Scheme will enable women who have paid for surgery to claim their money back.
To be eligible, arrangements for treatment must be made by 3 June. After this date, patients waiting for NHS funded treatment will be seen through the Complex Pelvic Mesh Removal Service in NHS GGC. Any woman who expresses a preference to be treated outside of Scotland will be able to request a referral to one of the NHS England specialist centres.
I encourage anyone who wishes referral to one of these services to make their wishes known to their clinical team. Further information on the scheme and how to apply will be available on the mesh pages of NHS NSS website here: https://www.nss.nhs.scot/browse/patient-support-schemes/mesh-scheme
Annual Health Checks
Health Boards are to share £2 million to deliver annual health checks for all people with learning disabilities.
The new service will help to address health inequalities and ensure that people in this group are able to have any health issue(s) identified and treated as quickly as possible.
The health checks will be delivered in the local community.
School Uniform Consultation
Pupils, parents and carers are being asked to give their views on school uniform to help shape new national guidance.
A key aim of the guidance will be to reduce costs for families whilst ensuring pupils can go to school feeling comfortable and ready to learn.
Whilst the Scottish Government has already increased the school clothing grant to help families who need it most, it needs to go further by bringing forward this national guidance.
Anyone who wants to have their say should participate in the consultation which will close on 14 October 2022 and can be accessed here: https://consult.gov.scot/learning-directorate/school-uniforms-statutory-guidance-scotland/
Modernising Breast Screening Services
A major review of Scotland’s breast screening programme has been published. It includes 17 recommendations to strengthen and improve the programme to make it more accessible, resilient and sustainable.
A new Breast Screening Modernisation Programme Board, chaired by Dr Marzi Davies, will take forward the recommendations from the report as well as considering additional ways to modernise the service.
Separate to the modernisation work, the Scottish Breast Screening Programme will see those aged 71 years and over being able to opt to self-refer for appointments once again from autumn 2022, in a phased way which won’t impact on the main screening.
You can read the full review here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/major-review-scottish-breast-screening-programme/
In the Constituency
- The month of May started with the Council Elections where Scotland sent a clear message to the Scottish Tories – that they are not impressed with them spending time cheerleading for Boris Johnson instead of standing up for Scotland. In Scotland, this saw a reduction of 62 seats for Conservatives, and an increase for all other parties, with SNP gaining most seats with the highest increase of +23. I am also so proud to see such a diverse result for the SNP elected councillors who are now the most diverse council group we have ever had! I would like to extend a special congratulations to our own office’s Wullie Graham on being elected, to Roza Salih on being the first ever former asylum seeker elected to GCC, and to Ricky Bell on his election as deputy leader of GCC.
As part of this month’s mental health awareness campaign, I participated in the 6 minutes of reading at Cardonald Library. This initiative aimed to remind people to take time for themselves and highlight that even just 6 minutes of reading can help reduce stress.- I hosted a busy and successful surgery in Penilee. After knocking doors to speak with constituents face-to-face, some locals arranged an appointment to speak with me further and it was important to hear about their personal cases but also issues which affect the local area. I will be taking up and working on these cases which include improving the safety of local facilities, such as Penilee Park. If you were unable to attend the surgery but still have something you’d like to share, then please contact my constituency office on humza.yousaf.msp@parliament.scot or 0141 882 4647.
- I had a great time visiting the women of Tea in the Pot at the Pearce Institute, The South West Kinship Carers and SWAMP. These are fantastic organisations across the constituency, providing vital support, networks and opportunities for our constituents.
