Hansard

We need to recognise that, although one big launch does a lot, we need to continue to get that information out there, which is why I am pleased that we will be conducting a Scottish Government-led publicity campaign.

As Christine Grahame says, we have done well, but we must do more. That is why, during this year’s organ and tissue donation week, in September, we will be encouraging as many more people as possible to register. That is the best way to ensure that people’s wishes in respect of donation are respected.

The Government is committed to supporting everyone to live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives. We know that improvements to the health of our population have stalled and that inequalities have widened in recent years, which experts attribute to the combined impacts of UK Government austerity policies, Brexit, the Covid pandemic and the cost of living crisis, and that incidence of non-communicable disease is forecast to rise if action is not taken to prevent those illnesses.

Brian Whittle regularly—perhaps in every speech that he makes regarding health—talks about prevention, and I hope that he has read and supports our recently published population health framework, which was co-authored with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and sets out our 10-year strategy to improve the wider determinants of Scotland’s health through a whole-system, cross-Government and cross-sector approach that is focused on prevention. As Jackie Baillie said, that work has to be anchored within our communities.

A key priority of the framework is to improve levels of healthy weight, including by ensuring that a healthy diet is accessible and affordable to all. By shifting the focus from treating illness to preventing it, addressing the root cause of poor health and targeting our efforts where they are needed most, we can ensure lasting improvements for this generation and the next.

One of the most life-affirming experiences that I have had was witnessing a live kidney organ transplant and meeting families who have benefited from that amazing surgery. I was struck by their humbling appreciation and their wish to give back to society by encouraging people to register and raising awareness by sharing their stories.

Like Emma Harper, I pay tribute to the fantastic teams of nurses, clinicians and scientists from our NHS who support and care for those living with chronic kidney disease and, of course, the third sector organisations, many of whom are represented here. I thank Kenneth Gibson for bringing this important motion to the chamber.