Claire Baker
Scottish Labour · Scotland
“Motion, as amended, agreed to, That the Parliament condemns xenophobia, racism and hatred in society, including recent instances of intimidation, violence and disorder; further condemns the actions and language of those who seek to stoke such sentiments and division; agrees that such beliefs and actions do not reflect those of the vast ma…”
“The UK Government has updated its planning policy, and there is a clear strategic approach to where data centres are sited, which is what members are calling for in Scotland. On the question around environmental impact assessments, at the moment, it is not mandatory for local authorities to carry out such assessments.”
“The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S7M-00461, in the name of Neil Gray, on the National Security (State Threats) Bill, which is United Kingdom legislation, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. Please cast your votes now. The vote is closed.”
“We need to be clear that climate change is an emergency that affects communities across the world and increasingly here in Scotland. We are seeing more extreme weather events, increased flooding, risks to biodiversity, pressures on food production, and growing risks to public health and infrastructure.”
“The Scottish National Party Government will go even further, putting in place the £2 bus fare cap across the whole of Scotland by the end of this session of Parliament. Climate action is improving the quality of our lives.”
“As I have made clear, collectively across the Parliament, we have agreed that we need to make progress on the targets, which are also legally binding by an agreement made here, and the committees have an important role to play. However, ultimately, the Government has to show leadership on the issue.”
The complete record
Every one of 360 lines we hold for Claire Baker, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 6 of 8.
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app has not connected. I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Baker. We will ensure that that is recorded.”
“To ask the Scottish Government when the statutory guidance for local bus services franchising will be published. (S6O-04797)”
“I will take away the issue that Claire Baker raises with me about any connection between the two different processes, one of which is undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service and one of which is undertaken independently of ministers under the supervision of the Lord Advocate. I acknowledge Claire Baker’s long-standing interest in the case and, if there is anything further that I can advise Claire Baker about, I will do so. The most that I can say at the moment is that these are two independent processes that are being undertaken. If there is any appropriate connection to be established, I will make sure that that happens. National Health Service (Treatment Waiting Times) 6.”
“As the First Minister is aware, I have raised the case of Demi Hannaway in the chamber before. As he recognises, the Lord Advocate has instructed a fresh investigation into Demi’s death, which includes the role that Andrew Brown possibly played in it. Does the First Minister share my concerns about the decision on home leave? How can we maintain the integrity of the new investigation if Andrew Brown is allowed home leave and is looking at a release date for February? The First Minister: The processes are distinct; the examination and exploration that the Lord Advocate has requested will be undertaken independently of any other processes. I cannot prejudge where the investigation and scrutiny might lead, and Claire Baker will understand that I cannot intervene in the actions of the Lord Advocate in that respect.”
“It is disappointing that the Scottish Government does not recognise its own role and responsibility in this regard, as housing is a devolved policy area. I understand that the home report system is under review at the moment. Is there scope for that review to include the condition of RAAC and information on RAAC? Ivan McKee: The review of the home report system will be evidence led, so, if there is evidence that suggests that it would be beneficial to include RAAC, it will be considered as part of the review. I am happy to engage with Claire Baker separately on that specific issue. If anyone else has a professional or other interest in what should be included in the home report review, my ministerial colleagues would be happy to engage, as appropriate, on the specifics.”
“We know that, if they do not have the proper support in place, people with neurodevelopmental conditions can experience significant mental and physical health inequalities. They are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, more likely to struggle with employment and more likely to come into contact with the justice system or to have substance misuse issues. The right diagnosis and the right support can transform lives. That support can unlock talent and allow people to thrive, rather than simply manage their symptoms. That is what we all have to deliver. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The final speaker in the open debate will be Christine Grahame, who has up to four minutes. 16:42”
“It promised a learning disability, autism and neurodiversity bill to give voice and rights to people who are too often overlooked. It promised action on CAMHS waiting times. Instead, it has been quietly removing patients with neurodevelopmental diagnoses from those waiting lists altogether—skewing the data to mask the truth. If we are to make progress, it is essential that we have transparency on those figures. The economic impact of undiagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions often makes a compelling argument. The Mental Health Foundation has estimated the lifetime cost of untreated ADHD to be more than £100,000 per person. The wider cost to the economy runs into the billions when we factor in lost productivity, increased health service use and social impacts. However, at the core of the debate is the human impact.”
“In Lochgelly, Hyperclub provides a safe, inclusive place for children and young people with additional needs, many of whom are neurodivergent. As well as offering respite to parents, those clubs offer a sense of belonging and understanding that formal systems often fail to provide. Although the support that such groups are able to offer is invaluable, it should be delivered alongside NHS services. The Scottish Government must act with the urgency that is required to ensure that support is available, without extensive waits, and in all communities. The Scottish Government promised to allocate 10 per cent of NHS spending to mental health and 1 per cent to CAMHS, but it has not yet met either target. It promised to recruit people into additional roles to support community health resilience.”
“Those initiatives are aimed at helping people to build resilience and coping strategies while waiting for formal assessment or treatment, but although they are pragmatic and forward-thinking interventions, they are not a replacement for properly resourced and delivered care models and pathways. We know that, where statutory services struggle to meet demand, the voluntary and community sector steps up. In Mid Scotland and Fife, there are great organisations that are working hard to provide support. In Glenrothes, Autism Rocks (Fife) has been a lifeline for many families. Run by parents for parents, it offers advice, peer support, playgroups and events for children and young people. For many local families, it is the first port of call when diagnosis is delayed or support is absent.”
“An audit that was undertaken in 2023-24 showed that there was significant unmet need and high demand for adult neurodevelopmental services. Like all boards, NHS Fife is in dire need of additional resources and solutions from the Scottish Government. However, within existing resources, it is starting to pilot some approaches. A digital neurodevelopmental hub has been created alongside self-help platforms such as moodcafe.co.uk, which is designed to give families and individuals better access to guidance, screening tools and signposting to support. NHS Fife is also trialling group-based interventions such as I CAN, which is delivered by psychology teams, and SPARKS, which was developed by occupational therapists.”
“The motion sets out clearly the lack of provision for neurodevelopmental conditions and the impact that that is having. The significant waiting times for diagnosis and support are leaving far too many without the support that they need. The 2021 report by the national autism implementation team was clear on the need for neurodevelopmental pathways and stepped care, but the lack of delivery alongside the growing demand is putting huge pressures on our mental health services. In my region, NHS Fife has publicly recognised the impact that demand for neurodevelopmental services is having on mental health teams. Fife was one of the pathfinder sites that were identified for adult neurodevelopmental pathways following the 2021 feasibility study.”
“I welcome the direct award to CalMac, which was the right thing to do. Yesterday, we debated how we can empower our island communities, and part of that is ensuring that they are better represented in the organisations that deliver the services that they rely on. Has the cabinet secretary given active consideration to having direct representation of islanders on the CalMac and CMAL boards? Fiona Hyslop: Both boards already have islanders on them, and the next round of CalMac board appointments, which is about to commence, will specifically include islander representation. The Presiding Officer: Question 2 was not lodged. Electricity Act 1989 (Cumulative Impact Assessment) 3.”
“We have to ensure that people can access help when and where they need it, in a way that enables them to respond positively. 17:33”
“The UK Government is taking some positive measures—for example, through the statutory levy on casino and betting operator profits, which will be used for NHS-led treatment and support for problem gambling, and through stake limits for online slots for younger people, but we have to ask whether more needs to be done. We should be clear that we are talking about a highly profitable industry that invests millions in advertising, often targeting vulnerable people. Online platforms in particular have changed the landscape and the nature of addiction. If we are truly to take a public health approach, we need action across Governments and across sectors. For the people who are battling problem gambling, we need to see the collection of better data, improved signposting, and properly funded local support.”
“Gambling harm frequently co-exists with other challenges, including poor mental health and alcohol misuse. In areas of social deprivation, we need to acknowledge the layered nature of those harms and tailor our responses accordingly. That means ensuring that support services are well- publicised and accessible in every community. I share the concern that is expressed in the motion about access to gambling products and the aggressive marketing of those platforms. Whether it is through applications, online games, social media integration or television adverts, gambling is becoming increasingly normalised and alarmingly accessible, in particular to younger people, and, in my view, the sector is now targeting younger women more.”
“Alongside dedicated organisations like those, however, we need a co-ordinated, properly funded public health response that is backed by robust data. Although the Scottish Government’s commitment to a public health approach is welcome, we need clarity on how that is being delivered on the ground. Where, and how, is support being signposted? Are general practitioners and front-line services trained to spot the signs and make referrals? Are we collecting and publishing data locally so that we can better understand the scale of the problem? Without that evidence base, it is difficult to assess the adequacy of support services. We should also recognise that gambling harms are not experienced equally. People in deprived areas are more likely to be affected, and women are disproportionately impacted by the gambling of others.”
“Colin left his job and moved abroad, but he still found himself hunting for casinos. Despite significant losses, he continued to gamble until 2023, when he took a different approach to tackling his addiction. He began self- improvement practices such as meditation, listening to podcasts and cold water therapy. He also—importantly—shared his story so that he could connect with others in similar situations, and they could see someone who had gone through the same thing. He is an example of how important it can be for people to try different types of support and not to give up hope, and how someone can recognise the problems that they have and try to address those problems in various ways. I join other members in commending organisations such as GamCare and the John Hartson Foundation, which are doing life-saving work.”
“The impacts include job loss, unmanageable debt, mental and physical ill health, relationship breakdown, and, in the most tragic circumstances, suicide. Those harms are not abstract—they are present in all our communities. Alexander Stewart highlighted the example of Colin Brown, who is a former Fife Council worker who has shared his story in partnership with GamCare Scotland to highlight the services that are available for those who are struggling with gambling addiction. Colin was a promising young footballer, and he would bet on matches, at times stealing from his mum to fund the bets. When he started working, he used loans and credit cards to fund his addiction, spending hours in bookies. He got to the point where he felt that it was taking over his life.”
“I thank Clare Adamson for bringing the debate to the chamber, which provides us with the opportunity to speak about an issue that has consequences for individuals, families and communities across Scotland. Although gambling can often be portrayed as a harmless leisure activity, gambling disorder is a significant issue, which, for thousands of people, carries serious risks and devastating consequences. The motion for debate highlights some of the figures: notably, that around “1% of the adult population ... is ... experiencing severe gambling problems, with a further 3.8% at risk”. Tens of thousands of people across Scotland are living with the serious consequences of gambling harms, and we know that those consequences can go far beyond personal finances. Gambling can, and does, destroy lives.”
“Before closing, I want to recognise the vital contribution of Rhoda Grant MSP as a strong voice for the Highlands and Islands for a number of years and I wish her the best for the future when the time comes for her to leave the Parliament next year. In addition, now that the cabinet secretary has announced her intention not to stand for re- election, I urge her to cast a critical eye over the SNP’s legacy in the Highlands and Islands, wherever she wishes to employ her considerable skills. We need to listen to island communities, not only in workshops, but also in the design, funding, and governance of the services on which they rely. Let us ensure that the next national islands plan is not another broken promise. Let it be the foundation for lasting, locally driven change so that our island communities can not only survive but thrive.”
“Alongside those challenges, there is also innovation and strength. Employment rates on many islands are higher than the national average. Community-led co-operatives can offer sustainable economic models that are rooted in local needs. We should support those models to foster local ownership, to invest in infrastructure and to make housing genuinely affordable for young families and key workers. The Scottish Government has blamed “a succession of crises”—Covid, Brexit, and the cost of living crisis—for the failings of the first national islands plan. However, crises are not an excuse— in fact, they should have been a catalyst for urgent action. What islanders need now is not another overly ambitious document but a new plan that is clear, measurable, and island led.”
“Earlier this year, the members’ business debate that my colleague Rhoda Grant led focused on the Scottish Human Rights Commission’s spotlight report on rights in the Highlands and Islands. The report highlighted the failure to deliver adequate services and the impacts of centralisation, as well as some of the key challenges for people in our islands, with food supply, healthcare access and the lack of affordable housing, for example. We need to bring services to people, rather than expecting people to navigate impossible distances and systems to access their basic needs. Food costs more on the islands and independent shops struggle to compete on scale. As we saw with the recent cyberattack that left the Co-op on Islay bare, supply issues for island shops can leave communities vulnerable as there is nowhere else for them to shop.”
“Without that, it is little surprise that the outcomes have fallen short. The consequences of Government inaction continue to be felt in real and painful ways. As others have said, depopulation remains a threat. Young people struggle to stay or return, because of the shortage of affordable housing, the cost of building and the lack of access to reliable healthcare, childcare and other key services. Those challenges are pushing people away and undermining the long-term viability of island communities. We must also talk about ferry services, which are lifeline links on which islanders rely for work, healthcare and access to markets. The disruption and delays that have been caused by the Government’s failure to deliver a reliable ferry network have had significant consequences for families and businesses.”
“However, the review and consultation report that was published last year painted a concerning picture: on 11 of the 13 strategic objectives, a majority of respondents believed that no progress had been made at all, while only 28 per cent of respondents said that the plan had “affected their life in any way”. That is a scathing indictment of a plan that was supposed to bring transformative change. Equally alarming was the widespread lack of awareness and engagement. A quarter of respondents either knew nothing about the plan or had heard of it but knew nothing of its content, and a further 52 per cent only “knew a little” about it. The new plan must address that lack of awareness. To empower island communities, they should be informed, interested and invested in the process.”
“As has been said this afternoon, Scotland’s island communities are a vital part of our national fabric. They are home to rich cultures, unique environments and resilient people. They contribute significantly not just to our heritage but to our economy. Yet, for far too long, they have been let down by Government policy that fails to meet their needs or match their ambitions. In 2019, the national islands plan was launched with great fanfare. It was meant to be a turning point—a strategic framework to improve outcomes for islanders across 13 key objectives, from housing and connectivity to economic development and depopulation.”
“My constituent Ryan Thomas Quinn is in the Parliament today. His friend Aaron Murphy died tragically young, and Ryan is raising awareness of the considerable financial costs for families affected by childhood cancer diagnosis, many of whom are forced to borrow money to cope. I recognise that, under special rules for terminal illness, fast-track access to disability payments is in place, and I welcome the guidance for doctors and nurses on ensuring access to those benefits. Could something similar be offered to those affected by childhood cancer? How can we ensure that families are able to quickly access all routes of funding and support following a childhood cancer diagnosis?”
“Transport remains our single largest source of emissions, but rather than a reduction in car use, we have seen record levels of vehicle ownership and an increase in kilometres driven. The key to reducing car use is ensuring that people have transport choices, and that means an awareness of the reality of the choices and the limits that people face. According to the Scottish household survey, a quarter of our households do not have access to a car, and that figure rises significantly in our cities and among lower-income households. For those people, public transport is not an option; it is a vital service that allows them to live their lives. However, under the Scottish Government, bus routes have been axed, rail fares have been increased and users of ferry services have endured chaos.”
“Its car-centric focus does not recognise the need to balance the needs of all road users and reduce the reliance on the personal car. The Government’s dropping of the target to reduce car kilometres by 20 per cent car is a disappointment. It was an empty promise, which was not backed up by the leadership or the action that would be required to achieve it, as Audit Scotland has made clear. It is not enough just to set targets without any way to reach them, a costed delivery plan, measurable milestones or the governance in place to track progress. To tackle the climate crisis and transform our transport system, we need the headline to be backed up with work that will make it a reality.”
“We are having a very short debate that is attempting to cover many aspects of transport policy. We have already heard from the Conservative spokesperson and the Government minister, who have given an overview of some of the key dividing lines that the Tory motion is trying to create. Parts of the Conservative motion are worth considering: the problematic implementation of the LEZ in Glasgow, the state of Scotland’s roads and the cost to motorists of potholes. However, it is a stretch to describe the environment as a “war” on motorists and to seek to create division on an issue on which we, as a Parliament, are agreed: the need to reduce emissions to improve air quality and meet our climate change targets. The motion refers to road users solely as motorists, but bus passengers, cyclists and pedestrians all use roads.”
“However, there has been an erosion of such workplaces for several years, and the chance to maximise the opportunities for public procurement has passed. Every effort must be made to support workers to find future meaningful employment, if we are to have a strong economy and vibrant local communities. 16:03”
“It is a fantastic project that supports young people into employment but it is under financial pressure. Rather than struggling to stay open, it should be a model that is replicated across Scotland so that all young people have the experience of employment and are provided with the skills to stay in employment. Our inquiry found that neurodiverse people can be among the furthest from the workplace, but they have so much more to offer to it. I am also disappointed to see that Dovetail Enterprises in Dundee has collapsed into administration, with 47 jobs lost. The business provided valuable work for people who are often, unfairly, unable to find employment. Supported employers are a valuable option for many people and provide dignity, purpose and friendship, as well as a supportive community.”
“We have that target because we recognise that many disabled people want to work and, although some progress has been made, there is a clear need for further action to deliver that commitment. With the right support, people can thrive at work. The green paper’s “try first” approach is positive. Often, people will not try work because they worry about losing their benefits and having to reapply for them if it does not work out. In my time as convener of the Economy and Fair Work Committee, the inquiry into the disability employment gap heard that, although progress was made, it was stalling, and that more focus had to be delivered to groups with learning disabilities and those who are neurodivergent. I welcome that the First Minister recently visited The Usual Place in Dumfries. People from The Usual Place gave evidence to the committee.”
“Areas in the green paper that apply to Scotland include changes to the work capability assessment, for which a solution needs to be found that works with the diverging systems. Although employability support is devolved, the additional investment from the UK Government to create a guarantee of personalised employment, health and skills support is welcome. After the cuts that we have seen to employability support in Scotland, it is an area on which there needs to be a focus. Scotland has an estimated economic inactivity rate of 22.9 per cent, which is higher than the UK rate. The Scottish Government has a target to halve the disability employment rate gap by 2038, from the 2016 baseline of 37.4 per cent.”
“It should also be recognised that UK social security is due to increase and that more resources will be spent on social security. The £5 billion reduction is in projected spend if no changes were to be introduced: it is a projected future decline in the budget. The changes proposed for PIP will not apply in Scotland—as has been recognised, we have the devolved benefit of ADP and there is no requirement for us to match the changed policy. Although the funding for those two benefits are connected, there is no change to the Scottish budget this year or projected for next year. If, after that, a funding gap occurs, it will be for the Scottish Government to make decisions about funding allocations and about where they will find the additional resources that would be required.”
“I am not conflating the two things; I am talking about the child poverty figures and what we doing to address child poverty. I was arguing that we cannot view the figures in isolation. As I was saying, the child poverty task force will introduce measures to tackle child poverty, such as the roll-out of free breakfast clubs, which the first schools in England are benefiting from this month. That is the kind of promise that will support working parents and mean that every child can start the day ready to learn, as well as helping with the cost of living and impacting on those in poverty. Free, universal school breakfast provision is something that the SNP promised for primary school children ahead of the last election, so I would hope that the SNP would welcome the UK Government’s progress in that area.”
“The figures that are quoted in the Government motion are calculated on the assumption that everything else stays the same, which is not the intention. They do not take account of the aims to bring more people into the workplace and reduce reliance on benefits. The child poverty task force will introduce measures to tackle child poverty. Shirley-Anne Somerville: For the avoidance of any doubt, PIP and ADP have nothing to do with whether or not someone is in employment. The conflation of the two issues and the attempt to think that the savings will somehow help people into employment are incorrect. If anything, that will push people out of employment, as it takes financial support away from them. Claire Baker: I do not think that the cabinet secretary was listening to me.”
“We should be able to agree on the challenge that is faced by both Governments in public spending. The green paper is the UK Government’s response, and it is now out for consultation. Other parties may disagree, but they cannot ignore the question, and it is unclear what the Scottish Government’s response is to the warnings from the Scottish Fiscal Commission and what it intends do. Today’s Government motion focuses on the social security changes, but it is vital that we consider the matter in the round, not in isolation. The proposals from the UK Government come as part of wider reform of a failing system that was inherited from the previous Conservative Administration—a system that has trapped some people in a life of inactivity instead of supporting them into employment.”
“Raising pay for those on lower incomes helps to deliver better job security and more cash in the pockets of workers, with more being spent in our economy. We can all also agree that our public services are under financial pressure. Our NHS requires more and more resources to support its hard- working staff and to provide services. There are increasing demands on our NHS, which accounts for the largest proportion of our public spending. There is evidence that long waiting times in the NHS are contributing to the number of people who are receiving benefits in Scotland. All other services—in education, justice and transport—are in need of reform to make them fit for a changing world. In that context, both in the UK and in Scotland, we are facing increasing growth in our social security budgets, which experts are warning is unsustainable.”
“I will begin where I think we can find some level of agreement across the chamber. Employment is good for individuals and their families. Good jobs provide dignity and purpose, and they build confidence. They provide opportunities for advancement and promotion. They bring resources into local communities. They disrupt generational poverty and a reliance on benefits. Labour is the party of workers, and the UK Labour Government has made clear its commitment to making work pay. This month’s increase to national minimum wages and the national living minimum wage by more than inflation has delivered a pay increase for more than 3 million workers, including 1 million in hospitality and retail and many young workers and apprentices.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking, including through work involving Police Scotland and local authorities, to address antisocial behaviour in Mid Scotland and Fife. (S6O-04554)”
“Following that meeting, I hope that there will be a regular dialogue so that the EHRC can keep the Scottish Government informed about its work. It is up to the EHRC—rightly so, as it is independent of all Governments—to take forward that work on guidance. However, it is important for us to know the timetable for that work—or, at least, to know when the EHRC hopes that the timetable for that work will be published. I hope that what we are able to discuss on Thursday will provide us with the principles and a wider understanding. We might not get to the level of detail that Claire Baker wishes us to get to on Thursday, but, as we work through this in the NHS and in other parts of Government, ministers will keep Parliament updated as guidance changes or if policy and practice change. I give her that reassurance.”
“The cabinet secretary has indicated that she is soon to meet the EHRC to discuss guidance. I have previously raised the issue of how intimate care in medical and care settings is delivered and the patient’s understanding of the description of a woman doctor or carer. Does the cabinet secretary think that the Supreme Court judgment has any implications for the definition of a woman in those settings? Will that be part of the planned discussions with the EHRC? Shirley-Anne Somerville: Of course, the amount that we will be able to discuss in one meeting with the EHRC will be limited. As I am sure that Claire Baker will understand, particularly since the Supreme Court judgment, there is quite a lot to get through, so she will forgive me if I am not quite sure how much of that discussion we will be able to have on Thursday.”
“The First Minister is aware of yesterday’s announcement that Carse medical practice will close in September, which will leave 3,600 people without a local practice. Unless a solution is found, patients will face significant travel to alternative practices in Dundee or Perth, to which there are no direct buses. For years, staff have been operating in an inappropriate temporary surgery, with an insecure and uncertain future. The situation is totally unacceptable. What does the First Minister think the solution is?”
“However, that decision making must be based on what is put in front of officials and recommended to me, based on the merits of the case in and of itself.”
“One of the arguments made by the successful campaign for Levenmouth was the economic boost that it would bring to the local area. A similar case can be made for Newburgh. How is the Scottish Government evaluating the benefits that have been brought to Levenmouth and using that to inform the case for and its understanding of Newburgh? Fiona Hyslop: We must receive the appraisal from SEStran. It provided additional information as recently as December, and part of the assessment work involves looking at the additional documents. In relation to the stages, including moving from appraisal under the Scottish transport appraisal guidance to the business case, any lessons learned from elsewhere will inform decision making.”
“The report from the Women’s Rights Network makes a number of recommendations, and I urge the Scottish Government and NHS boards to consider how to make progress on them. The recommendations include steps to minimise the risk of sexual assault, to maintain accurate recording of incidents and to make greater progress on single-sex wards in all settings. We must not ignore that research, and we must take action. 17:49”
“However, I do not think that those responses sufficiently reflect the significance of the location and our responsibility to NHS patients and staff. There is little examination of the figures, there is little understanding of why Stobhill hospital, the Edinburgh royal infirmary and the Cygnet Wallace private hospital have the highest rates, and there is hardly any discussion about why women should accept being at greater risk in psychiatric hospitals. There is scant evidence that the figures are being taken seriously as a collective issue by NHS boards or the Government. There is no piece of work that asks why this situation is happening in hospitals and what steps are being taken to prevent further rapes and assaults.”
“It is not certain whether assaults were carried out by other patients or staff, or whether they were carried out on patients or staff, although the high number that took place on a hospital ward suggests that patients are often the victims. Most concerning was that the research found that assaults were not routinely recorded. It would appear that, sometimes, they are underplayed or minimised, as if the setting excuses some behaviours. That is reflected in the fact that 133 hospitals do not hold the data. The First Minister was right when he said that all sexual assaults are against the law and that they should be immediately reported to the police. That is similar to the statements from NHS boards, which say that, when incidents are reported, people are encouraged to report to the police.”
“In Fife, ambulances regularly have to wait outside accident and emergency departments as people cannot be admitted, and through-flow is at times impossible as there is a lack of suitable beds. The recent report from the Royal College of Nursing describes a collapse in care standards across Scotland’s hospitals, with increasing reports of corridor care, which results in people being left vulnerable and in undignified settings. All of those conditions could lead to opportunistic attacks. The limited information that the Women’s Rights Network was able to obtain leaves many unanswered questions. When we are thinking about how to respond and how to improve safeguarding and security, there are many uncertainties.”
“If we take into account the fact that the figures include the pandemic years, when the hospital population was reduced and the number of visitors was heavily restricted, it is clear that those figures are likely to reflect underreporting, and those offences are often underreported across society anyway. As well as shining a light on those horrendous crimes, the report highlights the areas in which there is a lack of information, which makes it more challenging to provide a policy response. Patients in hospitals are vulnerable, frail and dependent on others to meet their needs. At times, they will be unconscious or disorientated. They are often in a state of undress, and they are in unfamiliar surroundings. We know the pressure that our hospitals are under.”