Neil Gray
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“I welcome the fact that, through the police and the courts, our justice system is ensuring that justice is done. Victims show enormous bravery and trust in our legal system in reporting crime, and I want that to continue.”
“The Scottish Government-funded Caledonian system is a good example of a community-based programme that aims to address the behaviour of men who have been convicted of domestic abuse, alongside providing support to affected women and children.”
“On the day after my appointment as justice secretary, I visited HMP Edinburgh to see the level of pressure that the Scottish Prison Service is facing due to an increasing prison population. It is clear that staff want to focus on rehabilitation and reducing reoffending but that it is increasingly difficult for them to do so.”
“Scotland shows a clear and persistent trend of increasing the length of average custodial sentences, including a 37 per cent rise between 2014-15 and 2023-24.”
“However, although the operational impact that will result from the changes is expected to be minimal, I still advise the Parliament to give legislative consent to the relevant sections of the bill.”
“I note my thanks and appreciation to the Parliament for expediting consideration of this legislative consent motion. It is regrettable that we are having to expedite scrutiny on an LCM, which is due to the UK Government’s timetabling for the National Security (State Threats) Bill.”
The complete record
Every one of 889 lines we hold for Neil Gray, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 7 of 18.
“Glasgow 2026 will host the most inclusive programme ever, and it will make history as medals for para powerlifting will be the first to be awarded, which is a first for any Commonwealth games. It is not only athletes and their supporters who will get hands-on experience at the games. The games volunteer programme recently closed, exceeding expectations with thousands of people applying. I was pleased to see that the minimum age to volunteer was lowered in order to give our young people an opportunity to be part of the programme. As exciting as those 11 days of world-class sport will be, the Commonwealth games are about so much more. We are determined to deliver a meaningful legacy that reaches beyond the competition itself, even with a streamlined games.”
“Glasgow 2014 was a springboard for success, with 25 of the 34 Scots on team GB at the Paris Olympics having competed for team Scotland at the Commonwealth games, including six of nine medallists. I am thrilled to see Duncan Scott return to the pool where his Commonwealth journey began in 2014 and to welcome rising stars such as Megan Keith in the 10,000m, joining established legends such as Jake Wightman, Neil Gourley and potentially Josh Kerr in the historic Commonwealth mile, which will make its first appearance since 1966. That shows the vital role that the games play in developing talent and giving athletes the experience that they need to succeed on the world stage.”
“That approach to collaboration is vital to ensuring a lasting impact and successful games. I know that I do not need to remind colleagues of the immense national pride that each of us felt when the Scotland men’s football team qualified for the world cup just a few weeks ago. As I said in response to an urgent question on that, I am determined that we catalyse the same sense of hope, opportunity and support for our nation’s athletes with the Commonwealth games as we do with the world cup next summer. Our focus on team Scotland remains at the heart of the games. We know that our athletes have the games marked in their calendar and are ready to do us proud. The Commonwealth games give Scottish athletes the chance to compete under their own flag—a tradition that we are proud to continue.”
“Those improvements will not only support the success of the games but leave a lasting legacy for local communities, providing world-class facilities for years to come. Commonwealth Sport’s co-ordination commission has recognised the progress that has been made at such pace. In August, I was hugely encouraged by the feedback that was received from Commonwealth Sport, which praised the organising company for demonstrating “innovation at its ... best” and commended the preparations progressing at pace. I am pleased to see the proactive engagement that has been undertaken by Glasgow 2026 Ltd, which is working closely with local community groups, the third sector and public and private sector partners to ensure that the benefits of the games are felt by communities in the city.”
“At home, the benefits for Scotland are clear— economic opportunities for businesses, upgrades to venues and an opportunity for local communities to come together and celebrate. Indeed, the games are expected to bring more than £150 million of economic benefit to Glasgow and Scotland, supporting local businesses and jobs. Public support is strong, too. I am delighted to see the huge demand for tickets, not just here in Scotland but across the Commonwealth—people are supporting the games. I am also pleased with the progress that has been made this year on our venues. The first phase of work at Scotstoun’s track is now complete, and Tollcross swimming pool is undergoing important upgrades to meet the highest standards for athletes and spectators.”
“Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting representatives from across the Commonwealth during their general assembly, when the 2030 host was announced as Ahmedabad in India. This is about partnership and continuity, and it is about ensuring that the games continue to inspire athletes and communities across the Commonwealth. The passing of the games baton from Glasgow to Ahmedabad is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate that connection and take advantage of the opportunities for both countries. I spoke with colleagues from India about how Scotland can support a successful centenary games, and I was keen to share our extensive experience of hosting major international events. That is the legacy of Glasgow 2026—it is not just about a world-class event here at home; it is about a future for the games that every nation can share.”
“This will be the fourth time that Scotland has hosted the games, and I thank the organising company, Commonwealth Games Scotland and Glasgow City Council for their tireless work in bringing Glasgow 2026 to life at such short notice. We have been able to do that because Scotland, and Glasgow in particular, has such a strong track record of successful event delivery, including being the first to host newly modelled events such as the European championships in 2018 and, more recently, the cycling world championships in 2023. However, this is not just about the Glasgow 2026 games. By stepping up now, Scotland is helping to secure the future of the Commonwealth games for decades to come. Our new reimagined approach makes hosting more affordable and sustainable, opening the door for more nations to be able to take part in the future.”
“I am delighted to be here this afternoon to address the chamber ahead of the Commonwealth games next year. Today marks 233 days until the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth games in Glasgow—that is only eight months away—and just over a year since Scotland agreed to take on the event at short notice, safeguarding the future of the Commonwealth games. Today, I will reflect on how the games came back to Scotland and how we have secured their future, and I will confirm how we will support the success of the games in Glasgow. Many colleagues across the chamber will remember fondly the huge success of the 2014 games—I do. In 2014, we had years to prepare. This time, everything has happened at lightning speed.”
“I also said that I expect an update on the outcome of the investigation, which I expect to be independent, when it comes to fruition. I do not have a fixed timescale on that. I expect that some of the work in that regard will be independent of NHS Tayside. I commit to providing Liz Smith and Parliament with an update as soon as I receive it.”
“It is for NHS Tayside to explain what happened, and I commit to providing Parliament with an update when I receive it formally, off the back of the correspondence that I sent to the chief executive today. Liz Smith has put on the record the potential consequences of what has happened, and processes will be followed in that regard. I hope that that underlines the seriousness with which I take the matter and with which I expect NHS Tayside to take it. Liz Smith: When does the cabinet secretary expect NHS Tayside to come back to the Scottish Government with those details? Neil Gray: I have been clear with NHS Tayside that I expect an update immediately on what happened, when it happened and why the Government was not notified when the health board became aware that those documents were destroyed.”
“What makes the situation worse is that those of us who have attended recent meetings with NHS Tayside and with the Scottish Government have repeatedly been assured that lessons have been learned from the Eljamel scandal and that new procedures have been put in place to ensure that nothing like it happens again. However, yesterday’s evidence proves that those assurances were entirely false. As NHS Tayside is accountable to Scottish Government ministers, what action will the Scottish Government now take to deal with those appalling revelations? Neil Gray: I understand the severity of the situation. I outlined that to the chief executive of NHS Tayside, noting my anger.”
“As members would expect, I was informed that NHS Tayside has already begun the investigation into what happened, and I have ordered the health board to come back with a full account of its investigation. Liz Smith: I can see that the cabinet secretary is angry, and rightly so, because this is a scandal of the highest order. As Jamie Dawson KC told the public inquiry this morning, the explanation that has been provided by NHS Tayside “will not suffice” and “More will be expected”. He went on to discuss the serious consequences of the incident. In my opinion, there is potential for criminality.”
“Access to those statements is strictly limited to individuals who have signed confidentiality undertakings, and they are prohibited from sharing the contents more widely, including with ministers or other officials, prior to their disclosure at the hearing. That restriction exists to protect the integrity of the inquiry process and ensure fairness to all parties. Therefore, my policy officials and I were not made aware until the information was in the public domain yesterday. Given the seriousness of the information shared in the statement regarding the destruction of potential evidence, I have written urgently to the chief executive of NHS Tayside and I met her today to order an investigation into what has happened and to ensure that appropriate processes on information governance are being followed.”
“I am greatly concerned, angry and appalled by this very serious issue. I recognise the anger and upset that will be felt by the former patients of Eljamel and the campaigners who have worked so tirelessly for justice. I recognise from my discussions with some of them that for many of those former patients and campaigners, their faith in NHS Tayside was already low. This will be a further blow to the trust that they have in NHS Tayside. The Scottish Government’s inquiry response team received a copy of all core participant opening statements from the public inquiry on Monday 24 November, ahead of the planned hearings on 26 and 27 November. However, under the inquiry’s general restriction order, core participant opening statements are classified as confidential until they are referred to in oral hearings.”
“Complex cases may require more time, which I think that we would all understand, and extensions are allowed. However, if the target cannot be met, the complainant must be informed and given an expected response date. I will ensure that both I and NHS Ayrshire and Arran respond to Ms Maguire as soon as possible. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I will need briefer responses and, certainly, briefer questions.”
“Does he also agree that a defensive, bureaucratic response to feedback is wholly unhelpful? Neil Gray: I am grateful to Ruth Maguire for putting that detail on the record. Clearly, it is unacceptable for a response to take that long. I am very sorry to hear about her constituent’s experience, which I know that she has written to me about and to which I will be responding in writing. After portfolio questions, I will ensure that our exchange is shared with the interim chief executive of NHS Ayrshire and Arran in order to underline the concerns that have been raised with me and to ensure that the process is sped up for her constituent, as well as for MSPs who interact with NHS Ayrshire and Arran. The NHS complaints handling procedure sets a 20-day target for responses, emphasising timely and effective resolution.”
“I have shared a letter with him that my constituent submitted to NHS Ayrshire and Arran in May 2025, which gave a detailed account of her negative experience. NHS Ayrshire and Arran will not engage with MSPs once a complaint process has been triggered, which I find to be a defensive approach. On behalf of my constituent, I chased up the matter with NHS Ayrshire and Arran on 5 October, when I was told that a draft response was in progress, and again on 30 October. At the end of her letter, my constituent said that she wished that her complaint would be “handled with the seriousness that it deserves, and that corrective actions will be taken to improve patient care”. Does the cabinet secretary agree that this is far too long to have to wait for answers to help her to process the trauma and distress that she has experienced?”
“Healthcare Improvement Scotland has a duty to improve the quality of healthcare in Scotland, and its inspection programme is a key part of fulfilling that duty. HIS determines what inspection activity it should undertake, using a risk-based, proportionate and intelligence-led approach. That includes consideration of patient complaints and feedback, which are a valuable source of information and intelligence for making improvements. HIS also gathers information from patients, families and staff during inspections. Through the process of responding to concerns, HIS addresses complaints in a person-centred manner, upholding the rights of everyone involved. Ruth Maguire: The cabinet secretary and I have previously spoken in the chamber about the impact that a negative experience of birth can have on women and their babies.”
“However, there are clear processes in place to enable whistleblowers to raise concerns, including through the Independent National Whistleblowing Officer. There are whistleblowing champions in every NHS board; I have met them all. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further, other than to point Mr Ross and his constituents in that direction to ensure that, where they have a concern, it is not just listened to but acted on appropriately. Covid-19 Vaccination Programme 5.”
“When I said that I would raise the matter in the chamber, I was told that she would brief the cabinet secretary, so my worry is that he has been fed the same lines as I have, which have been put back to constituents who still do not believe what they are being told by the head of NHS Grampian. Given the grave concerns that constituents are highlighting, does the cabinet secretary agree that the issue should be reviewed by someone from outwith NHS Grampian? Neil Gray: I thank Douglas Ross for raising that question. I have seen some of the correspondence that has gone back and forth between Mr Ross and Laura Skaife-Knight. She understandably has to ensure that the confidentiality of employees is respected.”
“Both ministers and Scottish Government officials regularly meet representatives of all national health service boards, including NHS Grampian, to discuss matters of importance to local people. Douglas Ross will be interested to know that I will be carrying out NHS Grampian’s annual ministerial review on Monday in Aberdeen. Douglas Ross: Yesterday, the Independent National Whistleblowing Officer stated that NHS Grampian was not properly handling concerns raised by staff. I have had cases raised with me by staff in the orthopaedic department at Dr Gray’s hospital. I have had a number of conversations with the chief executive of NHS Grampian and—to be frank—I do not believe that I have had full or truthful answers from her.”
“I expect NHS Lanarkshire to respond to such cases timeously, especially given the investment that has been made and the progress that is being made to out-patient, in-patient and day-case processes, to which Aileen will need to be subject. The measures of waiting times that Public Health Scotland has updated are very similar to the measures in NHS Wales, for which Mr Russell’s colleagues in the Labour Party are responsible.”
“It took 20 months for her to be added to the waiting list, despite her general practitioner telling her at the outset that she would need the surgery. Even now, she has no date for her surgery, with no sign of treatment on the horizon, despite the 12-week legal guarantee having passed and it being nearly two years since she first presented to a doctor. Does the cabinet secretary not see that creative accounting being applied to NHS waiting lists is hurting patients? Neil Gray: No. I ask Mr Russell to furnish me with more of the details of Eileen’s case, because I think that there has been some confusion in what has been presented in relation to the treatment pathways that she should be able to access.”
“There has been progress in bringing down long waits in NHS Lanarkshire, with the number of waits of more than 52 weeks for new orthopaedic out-patients having reduced by 27 per cent and the number for in-patients and day cases having reduced by 31 per cent since the end of July, just after Mr Russell took up his position as MSP for his constituency. I am sure that he will welcome that fact. Davy Russell: I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer, but none of that helps my constituent Eileen, who has been waiting for a knee replacement since January 2024. She was bandied about to various meetings and assessments, because she could not join the waiting list until her full care plan was determined.”
“As part of our record £21.7 billion budget investment in health and social care, we have targeted, this year, more than £135.5 million, including £32 million for trauma and orthopaedics, to tackle long waits. Yesterday’s update from Public Health Scotland confirmed that the number of waits of more than 52 weeks has fallen for the fifth consecutive month, which is testament to the dedication of our national health service staff. Our investment is delivering results. For example, in 2024, the number of hip and knee operations reached a record high, with more than 17,000 first replacements completed.”
“Neil Gray: We have provided increased investment in the baseline funding of national health service boards; for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, that comes to more than £1 billion, which represents an increased investment of £123 million compared with 2024-25. We continue to provide support to the new interim chief executive, Professor Gordon James, and I am confident that the work that is being done in partnership with the Scottish Government’s escalation team will continue to bring NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s finances into better order as well as bringing the performance improvement that patients need. The Deputy Presiding Officer: We move to brief supplementary questions. The first one is from”
“Katy Clark: The Auditor General said that the board needed a £51.4 million loan in 2024-25 to break even, and that NHS Ayrshire and Arran has outstanding loans totalling £129.9 million, which is “the highest amount ... across the NHS in Scotland”. The Auditor General also stated that the severity of the financial challenge was “unprecedented” and warned that the board was relying on “overly optimistic” savings plans that might not be achievable. What can the cabinet secretary do, given that the position seems unsustainable, and what further support can the Scottish Government give, given the huge concern about the current situation?”
“The Scottish Government is aware of and has received the section 22 report that was issued to NHS Ayrshire and Arran, and will continue to work with that health board to resolve the issues that have been highlighted. NHS Ayrshire and Arran is already at stage 3 of the NHS Scotland support and intervention framework for finance, and we continue to work closely with the board’s executive team to improve performance across all areas, not just finance. Targeted support has been provided to help strengthen financial sustainability, and the board received baseline funding of £1 billion in the budget—which, I note, neither Katy Clark nor her Labour colleagues voted for.”
“Alongside that, through our GP recruitment and retention 20-point action plan, we are taking substantive steps to support practices in rural areas. Our £10,000 golden hello scheme incentivises GPs to take up rural positions. The early-career GP fellowship programme is reaching new rural areas across seven health boards, thanks to our investment this year. Our Scottish graduate entry medical programme—ScotGEM— focuses on rural medicine and healthcare improvement. We also continue to fund the rediscover the joy of general practice project, which supports rural and island practices with short-term GP cover. Shoplifting (Repeat Offenders) 6.”
“That, alongside our record funding increase for core GP services and walk-in clinics, should continue to improve access to one of the critical primary care front doors of our national health service. Elena Whitham: In my constituency, access to general practice remains a concern, particularly in rural communities. The position varies between practices, but constituents contact me regularly about the matter. Does the cabinet secretary agree that investment must be matched by concerted targeted support for recruitment and retention to ensure sustainable care in all parts of Scotland, including Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley? Neil Gray: I absolutely agree with Elena Whitham. A core element of the record funding increase for general practice is contingent on increased employment of general practitioners and wider practice staff.”
“The latest published data— Public Health Scotland’s general practice in-hours activity visualisation—shows that, as of September, as many as 81 per cent of appointments with GPs and other clinicians in general practice were physical. That is not as high as the proportion before the pandemic, when approximately 87 per cent of appointments were physical, but we always expected the overall proportion of physical appointments to reduce as options for virtual appointments became more available. In 2022, my predecessor, Humza Yousaf, wrote to GPs to advise them that the de-escalation of infection prevention control measures gave them much greater latitude to see patients in person.”
“Everywhere they go, the tartan army makes local communities better by raising and providing funds to the communities that they travel to. They bring an incredible spirit, which people in Germany were able to see in evidence last summer. I know that they will do the same and do our nation proud as they go to support Scotland wherever we go in Mexico, Canada or the United States. We will give consideration to the wider points that Douglas Ross raised about what can be done domestically to support people who are here, supporting the tartan army, and to make sure that we make the absolute most of this remarkable opportunity.”
“What work will the Scottish Government do to consider flexibility around licensing laws to ensure that those who remain in Scotland can enjoy the atmosphere of the world cup and cheer on the team, no matter the time of the kick-offs and the matches, and to give a much- needed boost to our pubs in Scotland, which will also do well out of the tournament? Neil Gray: I have heard some colleagues whispering, “What about a recess for the Parliament?” In all seriousness, Douglas Ross is absolutely right. Today is a day for celebration and one on which we rightly mark the incredible achievements of Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, his team and all those who made yesterday happen, including the tartan army, given the remarkable support that it provides.”
“Although the manager and the players deserve all the credit for doing the job on the pitch, making outstanding saves and scoring incredible goals to qualify as the winners of group C for the world cup finals, they have been supported every step of the way by the tartan army, who kicked every ball and headed every pass with the players. Scotland fans have experienced the lowest of the lows and, last night, the highest of the highs. I am in no doubt that the world cup in 2026 will be the better for having the tartan army and the Scottish team there. Many lucky fans will get to go to the USA, Canada and Mexico, but many will remain here at home.”
“I have no doubt that the enthusiasm from young boys and girls who see their sports team progress so well will inspire people to take up the sport and continue their endeavours to become the next Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay or Kenny McLean, who did so well last night in raising their game, performing for their nation and delivering something so momentous. Douglas Ross: I will be honest: I submitted this question less interested in the Government’s answers and more to give all the fans an opportunity to speak about their highlights from last night—there were so many. The cabinet secretary is absolutely right to highlight the tartan army. “No Scotland, no party” rang out at Hampden and across Scotland last night—we heard it loud and clear.”
“The back and forth of the game last night was an emotional rollercoaster for all of us. There was something on social media that showed—among the reams of incredible output that came from the Scotland men’s team, the BBC and various other outlets—the seesaw nature of the game, with Scotland qualifying at three minutes and Denmark qualifying at 56 minutes. The back and forth of the game encapsulated what it is to be a tartan army supporter and what we have lived through over the past 28 years, waiting for this moment. We are considering what further steps we can take to mark the team’s qualification and to build on it for grass-roots sport. Like Douglas Ross, I have an involvement that I must declare: as a volunteer youth coach, I will be at my son’s football club this evening.”
“How can we further celebrate these heroes on and off the pitch, and how can we capture all that enthusiasm and filter it down into grass-roots football to ensure that we develop the next generation of talented footballers to carry on this great tradition and to guarantee that everyone, no matter their background, can get involved in the beautiful game? Neil Gray: Douglas Ross is absolutely right. The first point that he made was about this being the first time since devolution that Scotland’s men’s team has qualified for a world cup. The Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy and Sport commented to me earlier that she is the first Scottish sports minister to see Scotland’s men’s team qualify in person, which is a remarkable thing to consider, given the longevity of the Parliament.”
“Steve Clarke and his squad guaranteed not just their place at the world cup finals next year but their place in the heart of every tartan army fan, by ending that 27-year wait for Scotland to return to the greatest sporting event in the world. The match was bookended by outstanding goals. There was an overhead kick from Scott McTominay, when he defied gravity to fire the ball into the back of the net after three minutes; and, in the 98th minute, Kenny McLean scored from his own half with the final kick of the game to send Hampden into euphoria and Scotland into the world cup finals. I am grateful to hear what the First Minister is doing about inviting the squad to Bute house.”
“I expect that the First Minister will also be writing to Steve Clarke and Andy Robertson about a reception at Bute house to ensure that the achievement is properly marked. Douglas Ross: That is nothing less than they deserve. It is important to say that, when we apply for an urgent question, we have to explain why it is topical and urgent. I simply put in a note that the Parliament has never had the opportunity to discuss Scotland getting to the world cup finals, because, since devolution, we have never done so. That all changed after 98 incredible, breathtaking, nerve-wracking and emotional minutes last night.”
“Presiding Officer, I thank you and Douglas Ross for facilitating the opportunity for Parliament to come together to celebrate a momentous achievement on a momentous night. It has been a long time coming. I was 12 years old when Scotland last qualified for a world cup, and the family members of many colleagues across the Parliament will not have witnessed Scotland’s men’s team being at a world cup. It is a remarkable achievement, and one that we must celebrate. I know that my colleague Ms Todd was jumping in the stands last night, and I was jumping about my living room with my son. Others will have been in pubs or at the game. The First Minister was able to pass on his congratulations in person to the chief executive of the SFA, Ian Maxwell, and to its president, Mike Mulraney.”
“I will continue to ensure that we are prepared not only for this coming winter but all year round. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues that were raised in his statement. I intend to allow around 20 minutes for questions, after which we will move on to the next item of business. I encourage members who wish to ask a question to press their request-to-speak buttons.”
“The measures that I have outlined today represent only a small slice of the vast amount of work that is already under way. Although I have outlined some of the real progress that we have made so far, I am committed to providing a more comprehensive report for the end of the current session of Parliament. That will include reporting on progress against our operational improvement plan, service renewal framework and population health framework, as well as a final report against our NHS recovery plan for 2021 to 2026. Taken together, all that will demonstrate how we have progressed recovery from the huge impact of the pandemic and how we are modernising our NHS and social care services for the years ahead. I thank our dedicated NHS staff, who I know will continue to work tirelessly in the coming weeks and months.”
“However, we know that the sustained pressure on the system exacerbates over the winter months, and I am determined to ensure that that pressure is relieved as much as possible. That is why I confirm today that we have identified up to £20 million to bolster social care capacity and support front-door resilience in the areas where need is most evident. That funding will be delivered through health boards to build on the examples of success that we have seen in NHS Lothian and NHS Forth Valley, where the sharing of resource across the health boards and health and social care partnerships has delivered significant improvement. Investing in social care is the right thing to do, but it will also help to reduce hospital admissions and, ultimately, relieve pressure on our NHS acute services.”
“I acknowledge the real challenges that the sector is facing at the moment—not least the United Kingdom Government’s increase to employer national insurance contributions, which is costing social care providers £84 million, and its increasingly harsh and restrictive approach to international social care workers. I also acknowledge the historical and systemic issues that the sector is facing when it comes to funding and structure. Although investment has reached record highs, Scotland’s adult social care sector faces strain. There is much more work to do in the longer term, and I reiterated that when I met COSLA’s spokesperson for health and social care, Councillor Paul Kelly, yesterday. I do not shy away from that and neither does he.”
“There will also be a vital role for our special health bodies in engaging with and supporting that new planning approach, and I have been clear that I expect trade unions to be engaged as that work develops. Indeed, our workforce will be pivotal in ensuring that this approach to service planning brings improvements for staff and patients, and I look forward to engaging with staff-side colleagues on the effective implementation of the approach when I meet them next week. I turn to social care. I recognise that our response to winter must be a whole-system response and that our social care sector has an incredibly important role to play.”
“In doing that, I want to ensure there are no barriers to boards working collaboratively to deliver high-quality, safe and effective care to patients and communities across Scotland. Although boards’ geographical boundaries and current accountabilities will remain, there will be new expectations about structured subnational planning and delivery. To deliver that, NHS boards are putting in place two subnational planning structures—one focused on the east of Scotland and one focused on the west of Scotland— building on the good joint working that is already in place. That is about ensuring that the same high- quality care is provided no matter where people live and, in particular, how we ensure that the unique needs of our Highland, rural and island communities are being met.”
“I am pleased to confirm that the Scottish Ambulance Service will recruit more than 290 new front-line staff this year, including newly qualified paramedics and ambulance care assistants, some of whom I had the great pleasure of meeting when I visited the Queensferry contact centre earlier this week. To ensure a resilient system that can adapt to the challenges that we face requires a collective effort. That is why I am pleased to confirm today that I am also directing boards to take a new subnational planning approach to some key priorities. On digital care, business systems, emergency access standards and orthopaedic elective services, I expect boards to work together to achieve a significant and measurable impact for patients and communities. That will see us optimise the capacity in our system.”
“We are rolling out a theatre scheduling tool that is increasing operating theatre productivity by up to 20 per cent for some specialties. We are also seeing progress on urgent and unscheduled care. We are working closely with both NHS 24 and the Scottish Ambulance Service to ensure that they are as resilient as possible ahead of winter. Following a £5 million investment, NHS 24 has implemented new call centre and clinical support systems that are bringing benefits and efficiencies for patients and staff. Over 90 per cent of eligible ambulance requests are now transferred digitally by NHS 24, eliminating manual transcription, reducing errors and significantly speeding up the process for patients.”
“Diagnostic backlogs are being tackled by increasing capacity through enhancing radiology services and mobile scanning units so that, by March 2026, 95 per cent of those who are referred will be seen within six weeks. We are expanding the number of hospital at home beds to 2,000, making that Scotland’s largest hospital. We have increased access to front-door frailty services in accident and emergency departments, improving patient flow and outcomes. I saw that at first hand on my recent visit to Dumfries and Galloway Royal infirmary’s acute frailty unit. The average hospital stay for those who are admitted to that unit is now 3.4 days compared with a typical 17.5-day average hospital stay for frail older patients.”
“The readiness of our services to respond to winter is closely tied to the progress that we are making to strengthen our NHS. Waits, particularly by those who have been waiting for more than a year, are coming down for the fourth month in a row. I know that some in the chamber seek to suggest that we are not making progress, but that does a disservice to the incredibly hard-working staff whose efforts mean that our NHS is turning a corner and delivering tangible improvements. We are also treating more people, with more than 31,000 more appointments and procedures between April and September this year than in the same period in 2024.”