Rona Mackay
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Màiri McAllan: I express the Government’s sympathy with those who are wrestling with dramatically increased oil prices, which will have come as a very unwelcome shock to households.”
“Our islands cost crisis emergency fund will continue into the 2026-27 financial year, with an additional £1 million allocation. This year, we have also invested a further £5.5 million in the Scottish welfare fund, which provides vital support in difficult times. Rona Mackay: I thank the cabinet secretary for that welcome response.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking through its fuel poverty programmes to support low-income rural and off- grid households that are unable to heat their homes due to the recent increase in heating oil prices.”
“I was pleased to see that the Scottish Prison Service has piloted non-pain-inducing control and restraint techniques that reduce the risk of injury to staff and prisoners. Can the First Minister assure me that the pilot approach will be rolled out across the prison estate, with staff being given the appropriate training?”
“The other two that I want to mention are the much-missed Christina McKelvie and Jeane Freeman. What a privilege to have known and worked with those freedom fighters. They fought for equality, fairness and, of course, independence. What a legacy they leave. I know that they will always be in our hearts.”
“I am pleased to speak in today’s important debate for many reasons. First, I want to acknowledge the legendary Christine Grahame and her passionate dedication to the cause of animal welfare. There are not many people we can call a legend, but I think that Christine qualifies.”
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“Lothian and Highland now have some of the shortest waiting times in the UK, but that is of no comfort to all those people who are trying to access Scotland’s largest gender identity clinic, who could die before they even get their first appointment. What is happening here? Why are the waiting times so long? It could be because, as we have heard, Sandyford covers eight of the 14 territorial health boards in Scotland and does not have the capacity to serve all the people who are referred to it. I have also heard anecdotal evidence of alleged staff harassment at Sandyford affecting staff retention. If that is the case, it is beyond shocking. The second driver of the long waiting times could be model that is used at Sandyford. Scottish Trans believes that the service uses an outdated model that is overly reliant on psychiatry and psychology.”
“My constituent and her son met the former health secretary, Jeanne Freeman, just before the strategic action framework was established. It was a hugely optimistic time, and I remember the meeting well. The framework, which was meant to transform gender identity services and address long waiting times, included significant Government funding for existing services. Unfortunately, however, the waiting times for a service that covers approximately half Scotland’s population are now significantly worse than they were when the framework began. It is true that the strategic action framework has had a number of successes, including new national gender identity healthcare service standards, a transgender care knowledge and skills framework, and a reduction in waiting times for some of the gender identity services in Scotland.”
“His journey was not without difficulties. At one stage, he accessed private care to receive the healthcare that he needed, but he would have had to wait for at least six years, and maybe longer, for his first appointment. To say that that is unacceptable would be an understatement. At such a critical time in a young person’s life, it is inconceivable that they have to wait so long for healthcare. The Sandyford clinic has almost 4,000 people on its waiting list, which is an increase of almost 1,000 people since 2023. I am no arithmetical genius, but I do not need to be one to work out that, with almost 4,000 people waiting and fewer than 50 appointments being offered a year, the most hopeful estimate is that someone would wait for 80 years for a first appointment.”
“I thank Patrick Harvie for bringing this important debate to the chamber. We have heard some passionate and powerful speeches, albeit with shocking content. I start my contribution by praising a young constituent of mine and his family. I met him during the previous parliamentary session and he made an everlasting impression on me. With full family support, along with support from his school and expert counselling, that youngster transitioned and is now an impressive, fully confident and happy young man who has gone on to university and will no doubt have a promising career. He is a credit to his family. His transition would have been so much more difficult, if not impossible, without the clinical care and guidance that he received at the Sandyford clinic in Glasgow, which is, as we have heard, the largest in Scotland.”
“Learnings identified from the public inquiries and from exercises such as Pegasus are being captured and worked on in that programme of work to ensure that we are as prepared as possible.”
“Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, it was clear that co-operation between Governments, stakeholders and organisations was vital to tackling the virus and keeping the country safe from harm. Will the Deputy First Minister reaffirm the Scottish Government’s unwavering commitment to working closely with local and national partners to make effective and practical improvements in pandemic planning and preparedness following the publication of the module 2 report? Kate Forbes: The short answer is yes. Rona Mackay is right to recognise that, for the whole- system approach to work, we need all parts of the public sector to be involved. I talked about exercise Pegasus, which was the UK-wide pandemic preparedness exercise.”
“To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to its climate policies, what it hopes to achieve through its representation at COP30 in Brazil. (S6O-05179)”
“However, I give a commitment that we will explore with the business, worker representatives and trade unions what support, over and above our PACE intervention, could be deployed. I welcomed ExxonMobil’s commitment yesterday to play a proactive role in that process.”
“This will be an incredibly concerning time for the workforce and their families. What is the Scottish Government’s message to all those who are affected? Will the Deputy First Minister commit to engaging with the workforce who are losing their livelihoods? Kate Forbes: Rona Mackay is absolutely right to highlight this as a devastating blow. Our thoughts are primarily with the workforce at the Fife ethylene plant. I recognise the valuable contribution that those individuals have made to Scotland’s economy and recognise also that they are critical to our transition to net zero. We hear frequently about the importance of skills in the transition to net zero, and the workers at the plant have the skills that are essential for the just transition. Members will understand that the news is still sinking in.”
“I have made it clear to UK ministers that clarity on their warm homes plan and on reserved matters such as electricity pricing and market reform is essential for us to have a fully informed debate on those critical matters in Scotland. Rona Mackay is right to point out that the report has now been delayed several times. There has been an unfortunate amount of speculation, mainly in the press—in fact, I have learned more about the plan in the press than I have in my ministerial engagements with my counterparts. However, ultimately, it is just speculation. What this Parliament needs in order to legislate on behalf of the people of Scotland is clarity—a clarity that we do not have.”
“I recognise that the Scottish Government’s plans depend on essential clarity on key UK Government actions in reserved policy areas. Will the cabinet secretary expand on what communication, if any, she has received from her UK Government counterparts regarding their consistently delayed warm homes plan, and what impact that will have on progress in the heat in buildings bill in Scotland? [Interruption.] Màiri McAllan: There is a lot of noise coming from members on the Conservative benches. Those members do not seem to appreciate the nature of devolution, in that, when a Government in London is allowed to oversee our nation’s energy policy it will have impacts on what a national Government can or cannot do.”
“We have been speaking about the preventative approach that we need to shift to, and that is exactly the type of preventative approach that is proven to work. We are also on track to deliver 2,000 hospital at home beds by December next year. We are shifting the balance of care from acute hospital-based settings into the community and into people’s homes whenever possible, ensuring that people get the right care in the right place and at the right time. That is underpinned by £200 million of record funding going into the health service.”
“I recognise the importance of the Scottish Government’s hospital at home service, which prevented 15,470 people from spending time in hospital in 2024-25. I note that the cabinet secretary referenced the use of frailty services in A and E wards. Those services are crucial during the colder period. Can the cabinet secretary outline how the Scottish Government will ensure that the work of those services is supported and enhanced going forward? Neil Gray: Rona Mackay is absolutely right: we have made strong progress to ensure that every health board has frailty services in its A and E departments. Implementation is at different stages, and all boards continue to develop their services. The service will particularly help older patients, with the average length of hospital stay reduced by around 14 days and no increase in readmissions.”
“By working closely with John, Scott was able to highlight how the condition can impact young people, both educationally and socially, at a time in their lives when life can be difficult enough. Scott portrays John just as he is in real life— dignified, funny and clever—as we have heard. That is why the film is so important. Tourette’s is a human condition that is often hereditary, and we should know that the people who are affected are just like us, with their own personalities and emotions. I hope that the debate and that important film will lead to greater understanding of Tourette’s among the public and our educational and clinical institutions. That is the very least that people deserve. 13:16”
“I was proud to lodge a parliamentary motion to congratulate him, and I look forward to presenting him with it shortly. The film topped the box office as the number 1 film in Scotland and across the UK in its first week of release. Much credit is due to Scott’s family—his proud parents, Julie and Jimmy, and his siblings, Stella and John—for their encouragement. The fact that the film, which was produced by StudioCanal, has been such a success is fantastic news for sufferers, because it means that people will better understand what they are going through, which can only be a good thing. Scott plays teenaged John Davidson and, as has been widely referenced, his performance is so impressive. John’s real-life experiences of navigating daily challenges with Tourette syndrome are powerfully captured in the production.”
“I completely agree with Sarah Boyack’s motion that people with Tourette’s should be supported in schools as part of the wider additional support needs framework, and I agree with others who have spoken about the lack of guidance and support on the issue. I look forward to hearing the minister’s remarks in that regard. I mentioned earlier, as have others, the importance of removing stigma from the condition. One way to do that is through the creative arts. High-profile figures such as Lewis Capaldi and David Beckham have been quite open about their condition, which is to be greatly welcomed. The film that we have all been talking about, “I Swear”, has taken the world by storm. My young constituent Scott Ellis Watson, of Bishopbriggs, is a rising star, and his debut performance in the film has been widely acclaimed.”
“The condition can be associated with other conditions, such as ADHD and OCD. Tics can be triggered by different things, including stress, excitement or tiredness. Symptoms of Tourette syndrome usually start around the age of six and can get more noticeable around the age of 10. For some people, the condition improves with age. The syndrome, which is more common in boys than in girls, is not curable but can be relieved by following guidance on wellbeing and relaxation. Tourette Scotland is a fantastic organisation that informs and supports the estimated 300,000 children and adult sufferers throughout the UK.”
“I thank Sarah Boyack for bringing this debate to the Parliament. I very much welcome the chance to take part in it. Many people talk about the good old days, when everything was better than it is today and we did not have the problems that we have now. However, I believe that society has come on in leaps and bounds in many areas, particularly when it comes to removing stigma from medical issues and allowing the public to understand the once-not-talked-about conditions that many people suffer from. As we know, Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary, sudden and repetitive sounds and movements called tics. Initial symptoms are typically tics, which can include motor movements such as shoulder shrugs, or vocal sounds such as throat clearing, which usually appear in childhood.”
“You are expected to have your camera on, so please put it on. Rona Mackay: Apologies—it has been a long time since I have done this. [Interruption.] The Deputy Presiding Officer: Ms Mackay, I propose to come back to you. I will take the next speaker now. Rona Mackay: Thank you. I am having technical issues in getting— The Deputy Presiding Officer: Maybe you could work with broadcasting to get your camera on, and I will call you when that is worked out. Thank you for your understanding. I call Stephen Kerr. 16:02”
“As a former member of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee who was present during the evidence taking for this inquiry, I am pleased to be able to contribute to the debate. As I said in the previous debate on the inquiry, I believe that committees are “the engine rooms” of this Parliament, whether they are taking evidence on important legislation or carrying out vital inquiries on subjects that affect the people of Scotland. In today’s debate, we have heard from speakers on the core questions of the inquiry and the many responses from the many excellent witnesses who were called to help us carry it out. [Interruption.] I am sorry—I am having some technical issues here. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Ms Mackay, I am sorry to interrupt, but you do have not have your camera on.”
“I urge members not to vote for an attempt to subvert parliamentary process, because it benefits no one, not least the reputation of Parliament. 16:45”
“Every member in the chamber should know that voting for the Government’s financial resolution is not a vote for or against the bill but a vote to carry out due parliamentary process after a bill has passed stage 1 and is about to start stage 2, which begins next Tuesday. A vote against the financial resolution will not stop the bill, which I fear may be the intention of those who intend to vote against it. It would merely delay it, and any amendments that would trigger the need for a financial resolution will fall. Voting against the financial resolution benefits no one, whether they are for or against the bill. I welcome the fact that there is a free vote on the bill—it is natural that there are impassioned views on all sides. Our respectful debate at stage 1 was widely acknowledged as showing Parliament in its best light.”
“Scotland has a history of supporting health systems in partner countries. What innovations and programmes have been brought about as a result of that, and how have they benefited Scotland and the countries that we partner with? The First Minister: Many of those projects are in fields such as health, education, climate action and tackling poverty. There are mutual lessons to be learned about issues around disease management and vaccination development, which are important public health improvements and benefits that will be shared by all.”
“When banks are closing on our high streets and post offices are closing, this move seems incredibly callous. I know that it would be a huge blow if the jobcentre in Kirkintilloch in my constituency were to close but, frankly, I now can take nothing for granted. The UK Government must stop penalising the disadvantaged—people who need support to live a dignified life. It must stop taking services away from them and making their lives even harder. 17:51”
“It is also a stone’s throw from the local citizens advice bureau, and it has the award-winning Routes to Work South, a training provider with more than 20 years of operation under its belt, on its doorstep, so it could not be more ideally located or fit for purpose, which makes a nonsense of the reasons that have been given by the DWP for its closure. When the UK Government is looking to move more people off disability benefits into employment, and at a time of record-high unemployment, withdrawing the local support services that could help people into work is ludicrous. Where is the sense in that? However, numerous non-public-facing DWP offices across the UK have closed, which could be the start of a callous cost-cutting measure that will affect people seeking help with accessing benefits, training and, ultimately, employment.”
“No Labour MSPs signed Clare Haughey’s motion, there have been no protests from their MP colleagues and there are no Labour MSPs in the chamber. As Clare Haughey said, that really says it all. The jobcentres were saved at that time, yet here we are again, now with a Labour Government threatening the closure of a jobcentre. It beggars belief. Labour supported the campaign to save the jobcentres in 2017, but it has been silent now. The level of hypocrisy here is breathtaking. Only two front-facing jobcentres are under threat of closure at the moment: those in Bristol and Cambuslang. Why is Cambuslang under threat? The DWP says that it is rationalising old estate, but that really does not wash. As we have heard Clare Haughey articulate, Cambuslang jobcentre is in a modern building and is co-located with a general practitioner surgery.”
“I thank my friend and colleague Clare Haughey for bringing this important debate to the chamber. It is good to see her standing up for her constituents. The importance of the debate is clear. Cambuslang jobcentre is the first customer-facing jobcentre to face closure in Scotland. Sadly, if the closure goes ahead, I fear that it might not be the last. Previously, the Tories threatened closure of several jobcentres in Glasgow. There was no surprise there, to be honest, but I congratulate Annie Wells on standing up against the tide. At that time, MSPs and MPs managed to overturn the decision in cognisance of how damaging it would be at every level. However, I have to admit that I am shocked that it is a Labour Government that proposes this closure.”
“I hope that, through the work that is in progress, and with a clear vision of how to prevent future generations from succumbing to the dangers of drugs and alcohol, we can prevent or, at least, reduce the shocking number of deaths. It sounds trite to say that every life lost to addiction is a tragedy, but be assured that the Scottish Government is absolutely committed to implementing evidence-based approaches that will save lives. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Graham Simpson, who has up to six minutes. 16:13”
“Credit must go to the late and greatly respected Peter Krykant for all his work and determination in making that a reality. Of course, the widening of access to life-saving naloxone is also crucially important. I would advocate for a wider public awareness campaign on naloxone, due to its proven effectiveness. I really regret having to vote against the bill. I agree with its overall ambition of supporting people’s recovery from alcohol and drug addiction but, sadly, the mechanisms that it proposes simply do not work. The Scottish Government is working hard within its powers to reduce drug deaths, but I must make it clear that our public health approach is at odds with the Westminster legislation that we must operate within, and I wish that that was not the case. Russell Findlay: Will the member take an intervention? Rona Mackay: No.”
“The Scottish Government’s forthcoming national service specification represents an opportunity to set out what services should be available. There is a risk that the bill could detract from that work by taking funding away from current essential services. I am pleased that the minister has confirmed that £2 million will be provided for an additional placement fund for alcohol and drug partnerships. That funding relates to residential rehab in Scotland, which is much needed. Its provision is one of a range of actions that the Government has taken through its £250 million national mission on drugs. The opening of a safer drug consumption facility in Glasgow was groundbreaking, and it is already estimated that the facility has saved hundreds of lives.”
“For instance, staff might be moved from one health setting to another to provide mandated treatments, but they might lack the skills that are required if they have not had specialist training. The Scottish Government’s national mission on drugs has already been carefully designed by people with lived and living experience. The bill’s blanket, one-size-fits-all approach for people who are recovering from addiction does not work, as there is no one perfect route. Everyone’s recovery is different, as other members have said. It is entirely unclear whether Douglas Ross’s estimated costs for providing the proposed treatment are accurate and realistic. Crucially, it is also unclear how the right, as it stands in the bill, would be enforceable.”
“Beyond medical treatment, it does not address the psychosocial and practical life support that is necessary in recovery, nor does it acknowledge the structural drivers of harmful substance use. Instead, it positions the person as the problem and treatment as the solution. That leads me on to stigmatisation, which my colleague Emma Harper spoke about. Disappointingly, I think that the bill reinforces stigma through its language and by perpetuating the idea that alcohol and drug use is the individual’s fault. That is not acceptable when addressing a public health issue. The Royal College of Physicians believes that mandating a clinical pathway would create challenges and that it usually results, paradoxically, in poorer condition management, as assessment and review stages are created to support only mandated pathways.”
“Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems pointed out that, if the bill were to be progressed, “it would need to be extended significantly to ensure all people who would benefit from alcohol services and treatment have a right to treatment, not just people who are diagnosed as ‘addicted’ or dependent.” Who would set the bar for who should receive treatment? Quality of care is not currently addressed in the bill. Surely that is crucial. In addition, the timescales for starting treatment might be unsuitable for certain patients. Every patient has individual needs that must be tailored to them to give them the best chance of recovery. A further issue is the limited idea of recovery in the bill.”
“Everyone in the chamber understands the urgency and gravity of the drugs crisis in Scotland. The scourge of addiction has been with us for too long and far too many people have died. Too many people have had their lives blighted by this desperate health issue. As we have heard from the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee convener and other members, sadly, this bill is not the answer. It is flawed to the point of being beyond repair and could not work. The committee’s excellent stage 1 report presents a balanced but realistic view of what the member is proposing, which is well intentioned, of course, but, I believe, unworkable. It is clear that there is widespread concern about the bill from stakeholders as well as from the committee.”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes the statement on youth mental health support. Before we move to the next item of business, there will be a brief pause to allow members on the front benches to change over. Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1”
“For many young people, the most appropriate forms of support are provided in community settings. Will the minister say more about the Scottish Government’s work to support community mental health services? Tom Arthur: Rona Mackay makes an important point. Community-based services are often the most appropriate and impactful way to help people who require support with their mental health, and they are often the most effective and impactful way of supporting people who are seeking neurodevelopmental support. As I touched on previously, the Scottish Government has provided in the region of £160 million of funding over the past five years to support community mental health services for children and young people and for adults. Young people who are aged 16 or over are also able to access adult services.”
“It recognises that those highly personal decisions can be challenging for young people and their families, and for councils and schools, to navigate. The guidance seeks to provide support to those working in our schools as they navigate that complex issue for all. Further and Higher Education (Financial Situation) 2.”
“I welcome the engagement that the Scottish Government has undertaken with parents and carers, education representatives, LGBT organisations and women’s organisations to develop the recent guidance. Will the cabinet secretary provide more detail about how that will ensure that support for trans children continues in schools? Jenny Gilruth: The purpose of the guidance is to support our councils and schools in their support for transgender pupils. We know that those matters are really complex and that education authorities will continue to consider the wellbeing of all their pupils, including transgender pupils, as they navigate the support that is required in schools. The guidance offers advice on legal, policy and practical matters and draws together the signposting of support for parents and carers and for young people.”
“Rona Mackay asks about voids and acquisitions. Since declaring a national housing emergency, we have brought almost 1,000 homes into affordable use through £40 million of targeted investments in acquisitions and through bringing social voids back into use. On 2 September, in the emergency plan that I mentioned, we doubled the fund for acquisitions to £80 million. We have asked councils to go out now to use that money to acquire homes that are on the market—family homes, which are needed to get children out of temporary accommodation—and relieve the pressure, and we will invest in home building at the same time. Investment in Sport 4.”
“Mark Griffin has some nerve to stand in the chamber and criticise the Scottish Government’s action on tackling Scotland’s housing emergency when the Labour Administration of 2003 to 2007 completed only a dismal six council homes and was lacking in crucial innovation and collaboration with local authorities. Will the cabinet secretary advise me how the Scottish Government’s ambitious investment in voids and acquisitions will empower local authorities to replenish existing housing stock to create permanent homes for hundreds of families throughout Scotland? Màiri McAllan: I very much welcome the question and the context. The new affordable homes that we have delivered since coming into government set us apart in the United Kingdom, but it is also important to put the stock that we have to better use.”
“Our response to the “Reimagining Secure Care” report will be delivered over two phases: first, as I set out in my statement, on capacity restoration and reinforcement; and, secondly, on road-testing elements of reimagined secure care. The next steps include exploring the report’s recommendations with partners in more detail, and establishing good practice examples and testing out some of those approaches. As I confirmed in my statement, we are working with COSLA and Social Work Scotland on the development of a joint action plan, which will allow us to progress that work. I have also confirmed our commitment to consult on the future of secure care by the end of this parliamentary session, to ensure that we get the views of those who matter.”
“I welcome the publication of the Government’s response to the “Reimagining Secure Care” report. St Mary’s Kenmure, in my constituency, is an excellent facility, and I was pleased to hear the minister’s announcement on capacity there. What steps does the minister intend to take to develop secure care provision in the longer term? How can stakeholders engage with that work? What are the strengths of the current system? Where does the Scottish Government envisage changes potentially being required in the future? Natalie Don-Innes: The Scottish Government is committed to building on the strengths of the system while embracing a future vision for change in line with the priorities that are laid out in “The Promise”. That may involve radical change when and where improvements to children’s experiences and outcomes demand it.”
“Although that has certainly had an impact in Scotland, the member is correct that, in the past few years, 600 people have been incarcerated on sentences of less than a year. I have also met David Gauke and, as I said earlier, our sentencing and penal policy commission will report before the end of the year. That is considering how custodial and community sentences are used to ensure that the prison population is sustainable in the longer term.”
“The United Kingdom Labour Government expects to significantly reduce its high prison population through measures in its Sentencing Bill, which include changes to bail provisions, the suspending of sentences of less than a year and the reducing of the release point for prisoners to 33 per cent of their sentence. Given that around 600 prisoners a year are still given sentences of less than a year, despite the presumption against such sentences, and the change to a release point of 40 per cent of their sentence for some prisoners, has the cabinet secretary considered the introduction of similar measures? Angela Constance: It is beholden on me to consider all pragmatic solutions. I have paid careful attention to the Gauke review and note that the UK Government is also emulating our presumption against short-term sentences.”
“Perhaps he would like us to keep the two-child benefit cap, rather than mitigating that, which is estimated to result in 20,000 fewer children living in poverty. We take very seriously our requirements to provide a robust system for social security, but I am also exceptionally proud of the support that we continue to give, particularly to young people. Larger Families 2.”
“The Scottish Conservatives keep raising the topic of expenditure on benefits, but they continue to shy away from the question of whose benefits they would see cut. I am proud that the Scottish National Party Government—unlike successive Westminster Governments—continues to prioritise the most vulnerable people in our society through higher social security spending. Will the cabinet secretary outline the impacts that that prioritisation is having on child poverty in Scotland? Shirley-Anne Somerville: Rona Mackay again gets to the nub of the issue. I can only presume— and Craig Hoy can feel free to continue to shout from a sedentary position if I am wrong—that part of the cuts that Mr Hoy wants would be to the Scottish child payment, which is forecast to keep 40,000 children out of relative poverty this year.”
“It requires women not to drink for the entirety of their pregnancy, including avoiding alcohol while trying to conceive. The chief medical officers’ advice is, “No alcohol, no risk,” and I do not think that that is too much to ask in order to bring a healthy baby into the world. The Deputy Presiding Officer: We move to the open debate. 18:15”
“The Government also undertook to develop Scotland’s first national pre-conception framework, supporting the health of women of childbearing age and their families. A key element of the framework will be supporting women to access reproductive health services and avoid unplanned pregnancy. Scotland has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, which we are trying to address by way of minimum unit pricing and improved public awareness of the dangers of alcohol. One in four people regularly drink above the levels in the chief medical officers’ low-risk drinking guidelines. Alcohol consumption among women of childbearing age is common, and 46 per cent of pregnancies in Scotland are estimated to be unplanned. To conclude, FASD is a condition that is entirely preventable.”
“diagnosis and that 78 per cent of parents whose children were diagnosed with FASD did not feel that healthcare professionals are knowledgeable about the condition or its various presentations.”—[Official Report, 23 September 2021; c 37.] Adoption UK recommends improved diagnosis and support for people who are living with FASD, through the introduction of a dedicated multiyear national strategy on treatment and prevention. The Scottish Government’s “Alcohol Framework 2018: Preventing Harm” includes a commitment to “support the current system to be much more responsive to the needs of individuals, families and communities affected by FASD”. I look forward to a response from the Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing on how that commitment is progressing.”
“The use of alcohol brief interventions for pregnant women is also a useful tool in reducing the risk. Adoption UK’s FASD hub Scotland provides invaluable telephone and online support for families who are living with FASD, and is funded by the Scottish Government. However, the problems with diagnosis persist. In a previous debate on FASD in Parliament, I noted that Adoption UK had “reported that 55 per cent of children waited two years or longer for their ...”