Meeting of the Parliament 20 March 2019
On the point about letters, there is a responsibility in the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 to ensure that such information gets to patients using terminology that they can understand; sometimes, copying a letter to them will not fulfil that duty. It is important that people understand what is being decided on their behalf. The issue might be one that we can pick up on specifically later.
One of the other areas that Pauline McNeill, Clare Adamson and Miles Briggs talked about was research. It is essential that we are able to develop a better understanding of the causes of Crohn’s and colitis, which will lead to more effective diagnostic approaches and treatments. That is why we have partnered with the charities Cure Crohn’s Colitis and Crohn’s in Childhood Research Association to fund a major research project looking at the effect of environmental factors on the prognosis of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. That project has the potential to lead to the development of personalised therapy in Crohn’s disease and colitis. It has also attracted worldwide attention and is placing Scotland at the forefront of research in this area
In terms of supporting children and young people living with IBD, members may also be aware that we are developing a 10-year child and adolescent health and wellbeing action plan. It aims to take a cross-policy approach to improving the physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland. Liam McArthur talked about the need for timely access to psychological support. That is vital, given the link between long-term conditions and mental health problems and the impact of those on disease outcomes if they go untreated.
Miles Briggs, Monica Lennon, Alison Johnstone and just about everyone in the chamber, in fact, spoke about access to public toilets. Why that is a particularly important issue for people with IBD was well covered. It is an issue that is of immense concern to people, because it has a bearing on their ability to enjoy full and active education, work and social lives.
The provision of public toilets is the responsibility of local authorities, as they are best placed to prioritise the needs of their local communities. However, I am pleased that the Planning (Scotland) Bill includes reference to local policies and proposals for public toilets and mechanisms for the expansion of the provision of changing places toilets. I know that the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning is supportive of that and is continuing to consider how we can go further than what we are doing in the bill.