Hansard

The Convener (Johann Lamont) Lab

Welcome, everyone, to the 14th meeting in 2020 of the Public Petitions Committee. The meeting is being held virtually. The first item on our agenda is consi...

Rory Maclean

Thank you. It is a pleasure to appear in front of the committee virtually. I am standing in for Rachel Taylor, who is, unfortunately, unable to make it to th...

The Convener Lab

Thank you for that—we very much appreciate your being here today, even if it is a virtual appearance. Before I ask a substantive question, I would like you t...

Rory Maclean

We do not have the exact numbers at the moment. The numbers that we have been working with for our financial projections are based on current student numbers...

The Convener Lab

As the petition highlights, and as you say in your statement, nursing and midwifery students can access a bursary that, from this academic year, is worth £10...

Rory Maclean

Through the petition, we are seeking from the Scottish Government the same level of commitment as is given to nursing and midwifery students. The reason why ...

The Convener Lab

I am trying to understand why the Scottish Government has not simply recognised that parity. Given the current funding that is available, is there a percepti...

Rory Maclean

It is hard to say. I recognise that nurses and midwives are incredibly valuable, and they definitely deserve their bursary. We have a lot of time for them an...

The Convener Lab

That is very helpful.

Maurice Corry (West Scotland) (Con) Con

Good morning. I thank Mr Maclean for appearing before us today. Although I appreciate that the bachelor of science in paramedic science course starts this mo...

Rory Maclean

The programme is three years long. Like most programmes in Scotland, the programme is slightly unusual this year, because of the Covid pandemic. Teaching in ...

Maurice Corry Con

I have a supplementary question. My daughter has just gone through an occupational therapy degree at Glasgow Caledonian University, so I am aware of the hour...

Rory Maclean

Yes, that is definitely correct. I could not have put it better, myself. We recently conducted a report on a survey of student paramedics. Many said that the...

Maurice Corry Con

Thank you.

Gail Ross (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) SNP

Thank you for joining us. You made a compelling opening argument. We have had a written submission from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, who has s...

Rory Maclean

Thank you. We have written to the cabinet secretary a couple of times to tell her what we would like, so I thank you for presenting me with the opportunity t...

Gail Ross SNP

Your main message to the cabinet secretary is not to wait for the review, because we do not know what the timescale for that will be. You want action now.

Rory Maclean

Yes, that is exactly it. We need action now to stop student paramedics living on the poverty line.

Gail Ross SNP

Okay; thank you.

Rory Maclean

Thank you.

Tom Mason (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

In her written submission, the cabinet secretary states that the nursing and midwifery bursary was maintained on the grounds of workforce planning, to ensure...

Rory Maclean

Thank you for that question. We have concerns about that as well. There was a report in The Times in, I think, January 2020—it has been a strange year, so fo...

Tom Mason Con

Is the number of places available on the BSc paramedic science courses around the country sufficient to ensure a steady flow of new recruits into the profess...

Rory Maclean

I cannot comment on that, because I do not have a good enough understanding of the workflow programming for the Ambulance Service. However, no matter what th...

Tom Mason Con

You have compared paramedics with nurses and midwives. How does it sit with other professions such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other pro...

Rory Maclean

I am sorry, but how does what sit with them?

Tom Mason Con

At the moment, all the examples that you are giving are comparing with nurses and midwives. How do paramedics compare with physiotherapists, occupational the...

Rory Maclean

I see what you mean. The reason why we make a comparison with nurses and midwives is that they currently receive a bursary. One reason why that bursary was ...

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP

Given the challenges that have been outlined to the committee, what impact would the introduction of a bursary have on students who are currently taking the ...

Rory Maclean

It would have a massively positive impact if the bursary were to be introduced. I outlined previously, in answer to Gail Ross, the emotional reasons why we w...