Emma Harper
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“I welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackling child poverty and its investment through the whole family support third sector delivery fund. Will the cabinet secretary say more about how the delivery model will work alongside existing local partnerships?”
“Given the challenges that Christine Grahame outlined and the Scottish Government’s commitment to a just transition, how can the Government support investment in biofuels and anaerobic digestion to reduce reliance on heating oil and provide greener, more secure energy for rural industries such as those in Dumfries and Galloway and the Bord…”
“That is why there is so much emphasis placed in the action plan on whole family support. It is about giving support to families where and when they need it and delivering it in a way that is right for communities. I look forward to continuing to work with Emma Harper on how we can take that forward in the south of Scotland and elsewhere.”
“However, the barriers are not only physical, but also cultural: we heard consistent evidence of negative attitudes from boys, girls being sidelined in physical education and playgrounds being dominated by boys’ activities.”
“As a member of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, I had the privilege of contributing to our inquiry on female participation in sport and physical activity. What we heard was clear. Although the benefits of sport are universal, access to those benefits is not.”
“Her work has never been about making short-term headlines; it has been about achieving long-term change founded on compassion and justice. During this parliamentary session, Christine introduced her member’s bill, the Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill, which strengthened protections for animals and built on years of advocacy on issues such…”
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“However, that reputation was—and maybe still is—in danger of being harmed through the unfathomable actions of the UK Government recently, with its proposals to create a geographical indication for English whisky and slip in changes to the malt whisky definition through the back door. The Scotch Whisky Association has slammed that proposal—thank goodness that it was spotted and called out. Single malt means product from one distillery, both mashing and distillation—not just mashing it anywhere and then bringing it in and distilling it in one place. Just last week, we saw a slew of nominations for south of Scotland agribusinesses at the Scottish Countryside Alliance awards. Rachael Hamilton mentioned some of them already, such as Scott’s of Kelso.”
“I welcome the motion from the cabinet secretary, and the opportunity to highlight how the south of Scotland is in the premier league when it comes to food and drink in Scotland and the world. The south of Scotland has some of the best produce in the world, which is prepared by some of the best chefs and kitchen staff into some of the finest food and drink in the world. I have spoken about many of the wonderful producers and restaurants in previous debates in the chamber. We also make whisky in the south of Scotland: at Bladnoch distillery near Wigtown, Annandale distillery at Annan, and the Borders distillery at Hawick, and now also at the Crafty distillery at Newton Stewart and, of course, Moffat distillery. They all produce some very fine whiskies, with an increasingly positive global reputation.”
“The Presiding Officer: I call Tim Eagle to speak to and move amendment S6M-16839.2. 14:47”
“I assure members that this Government will do everything in its power to do that. I am pleased to move the motion in my name, and ask members across the chamber to support it. I move, That the Parliament recognises the value and importance of Scotland’s food and drink sector in terms of economic benefits, its particular importance to Scotland’s rural and island communities and, importantly, its role in enhancing Scotland’s reputation on a global scale; further recognises the risks of the proposal for an English whisky geographical indication that could undermine Scotch whisky and single malt, which is central to the economy; acknowledges the challenges and opportunities faced by the sector in an ever-changing world; calls for cross-party support to ensure that the sector continues to receive backing and support in order to grow sustainably and contribute to a prosperous and thriving economy; notes the new risk from tariffs, and calls on the UK Government to do all that it can to protect Scotland’s businesses and consumers from their impact.”
“The new UK Government has indicated a willingness to open negotiations with the EU on a sanitary and phytosanitary— SPS—and veterinary agreement, to remove the need for many of those checks. The Scottish Government stands ready to work together to achieve the best possible results to protect Scotland’s interests. It is clear that our food and drink industry is vulnerable to global currents, be that Brexit, geopolitical issues, or the tragic conflicts that are taking place around the world. However, it remains an industry with enormous potential and great ambition. We are doing much in Scotland to support this exciting sector, and the future is positive. In safeguarding our industry, we have to secure its long-term sustainability and empower it to thrive in the face of those challenges.”
“Although I realise that I am rapidly running out of time, there is another important matter that I want to touch on today, which is other barriers to trade and how we can potentially see progress in relation to those. I have already mentioned the impact of global instability on food and drink businesses. The impact of Brexit continues to be felt at the border through the post-Brexit regime of checks and controls under the border target operating model, which was published in 2023. Overall, additional trade barriers and red tape faced by our exporters continue to hamper business and trade flow with the EU, and we know that there are significant issues around imports.”
“The issue of the Scotch whisky definition being changed as a result of the proposal for a definition of English whisky concerns me as well. Will the cabinet secretary confirm her understanding of what the proposal is? Mairi Gougeon: Absolutely. As I highlighted in my previous response to Daniel Johnson, it is still very much a live issue. It has certainly not been resolved; that is certainly not what we are hearing from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which is dealing with the application. [Interruption.] The consultation is still very much open. That is why I encourage members— [Interruption.] I am sorry, but I have taken a number of interventions, and I really have to make progress. I am drawing towards a close.”
“Sandesh Gulhane mentioned James Blackwood and AI. I understand that he came here to give a presentation at a briefing organised by the Scottish Parliament information centre and is now engaging with NHS Dumfries and Galloway to look at rolling out some of the techniques and sharing his knowledge, so progress is being made. Would you not agree that the fact that he is now working with NHS Dumfries and Galloway shows that progress is being made?”
“I therefore believe that lessons have been learned around the design process that was of concern in the case of the Edinburgh hospitals. By focusing on crucial areas such as infection prevention and control, water safety, ventilation, electrical systems and medical gases, the KSAR process provides independent assurance that healthcare building projects are being delivered in line with relevant standards and that they minimise risk to patients, families, staff and visitors.”
“It is welcome that the Scottish Government acted quickly and established NHS Scotland assure to improve how we manage risk in the healthcare built environment across Scotland. Can the cabinet secretary expand on how NHS Scotland assure works with boards to provide a co- ordinated approach to risk management across the NHS estate, as set out in his statement? Neil Gray: NHS Scotland assure plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of new built-environment facilities in Scotland. The principal way in which that is achieved is through a key-stage assurance review—KSAR—which occurs at every stage in the capital investment process, from business case development all the way through to the construction and commissioning of the new building.”
“Ahead of lambing season this year, what is the Scottish Government doing to raise awareness, including in Dumfries and Galloway and in the Borders, of the consequences for owners whose out-of-control dogs chase, attack and kill—or worry—livestock when accessing the countryside, given the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021, which updated and strengthened the previous law?”
“As with most public policy, there are no easy answers or actions that will fit into a soundbite, but that is exactly the approach that the Tories have taken with their motion, and it is to be deplored. I support the amendment in the name of the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice. 15:59”
“Yet here we are: with their simple sword of truth and trusty shield of British fair play, they tell us that they are on the side of women in Scotland in order to try to distract people from their record on equality for women and girls in our country. Women who are watching the debate outside the chamber arenae daft: they have been at the sharp end of Tory policy for years and years, over and over, despite an unparalleled track record of electoral failure, failure in Scotland, and failure in the Parliament. Where and when single-sex spaces are provided legally under the Equality Act 2010 is a complex area of law and precedent. As I said a minute ago, the language that is used is “legitimate” and “proportionate”.”
“When those in number 10 were forcing women to declare that they had been victims of rape and sexual assault so that they could access social security benefits for their children, we did not hear much about dignity from members on the Conservative benches then. When they were driving mothers to food banks to feed their weans after slashing universal credit, we didnae hear much about dignity from the members on the Opposition benches then. When they imposed austerity on steroids over 14 miserable years, which had a greater impact on women than men, we did not hear much about dignity from the Conservative and Unionist Party then. The party’s current leader, a former Minister for Equalities, is cosying up to the US President, whose view of women starts and stops with how they can be controlled and how they can gratify him.”
“I know that the cabinet secretary and her colleagues continue to work to find a way forward that embeds the principles of those treaties in our public services and civil society. Rachael Hamilton: Will the member take an intervention? Emma Harper: Give me a wee second. I will say a word or two about those members who are standing behind the motion and what their policies when they occupied number 10 said about their attitude to, in their own words, the “safety, dignity, and privacy” of women. Rachael Hamilton: Is Emma Harper content that Scotland’s public sector and public bodies are following the law on single-sex spaces correctly? Emma Harper: I am coming to that. I know that the legislation is clear that single-sex spaces need to be offered in a “legitimate” and “proportionate” manner, which I will come to in a wee bit more detail.”
“That is why international standards such as the European Convention on Human Rights under the Council of Europe, which is a body that the Conservative Party seems to object to, are so important. They hold our and every other country to higher standards and, in turn, make progress in protecting and extending the rights of everyone in our society, not least women. That is also why the Scottish Government is working hard to ensure that the incorporation of four separate international treaties into domestic law works the way that it is intended to. It is disappointing to everyone that the constraints of the Scotland Act 1998 mean that the introduction of the proposed human rights bill, as originally intended, has had to be paused.”
“Does that mean that we do not have a wheen of work to do? Of course not, but the commitment to equality and the mainstreaming of feminism in our nation’s work is at the core of the Scottish Government’s approach. I hope that, at decision time, the Parliament will support it, rather than the grandstanding party opposite. Total spending on equality, inclusion and human rights has increased by 32 per cent over the past two years, including the £42 million that directly supports our equality and human rights infrastructure and the organisations that promote it. That is not enough if we, and society as a whole, treat the status that women continue to occupy in society as a women’s issue, rather than an issue for everyone. Women’s rights are human rights.”
“I will speak to Shirley-Anne Somerville’s amendment, which makes it crystal clear that the Scottish Government takes seriously its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010. It is absolutely a requirement that we meet those responsibilities, including the specific provisions on separate and single-sex exceptions. This Government, and, in fairness, the previous Labour-Lib Dem Executives, have been absolutely clear in their determination to make sure that women and girls of the future are born into a society that is fairer than the environment in which their mothers and grandmothers lived. One of the strengths of this Parliament is that we have consistently heard more from the voices of women in this place—from the very top down, since the Parliament’s first days—than we expect to hear in Westminster.”
“To ask the Scottish Government how the new deal for agriculture and its agricultural support schemes will aim to support the dairy sector. (S6O-04411)”
“Once again, I welcome the report and all the work of the committee members, clerks and panel participants. 16:36”
“I was recently pleased to find out about a brand-new e-learning programme on the NHS Turas platform that has been created and developed in collaboration with people from the Scottish recovery consortium who have lived experience. The programme, which is free to any healthcare professional, covers stigma, among other subjects. It is so important to involve and include people with lived experience as we proceed. Carol Mochan: Will the member accept an intervention? Emma Harper: I will take an intervention. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Ms Harper, you are just about to conclude. Emma Harper: My apologies. I say to the member that I would have let her in—no problem. Finally, destigmatisation is an absolutely key measure in helping people on the first steps towards treatment.”
“Another thing that comes through consistently in the panel’s recommendations is the importance of tackling stigma. I mentioned that issue in my intervention on Collette Stevenson, which I thank her for accepting. We have spoken here about stigma on numerous occasions. If we agree that drug misuse is a public health issue, as I hope we all do, it must be treated as exactly that. People should not be put off going into treatment, or even taking a first step towards treatment, because they fear judgment, stigmatisation or discrimination when they first pick up the phone or arrive for an appointment. Judgment sometimes occurs when users encounter other health services outside of those for drugs and alcohol. I have repeatedly raised that issue here and have had meetings with ministers on it.”
“Last October, my office team was trained in the use of naloxone nasally or in injectable form by Ruth McCall, a specialist addictions nurse who works for NHS Dumfries and Galloway. We were happy to receive that training. Many folk still see drug misuse as being purely about heroin addiction, but the huge growth of synthetic opioids, which I have mentioned, and the speed at which the use of illicit benzodiazepines has spread show that that is not the case. As others have mentioned, there is the issue of polydrug use, but polymethod drug use is a factor, too. The people’s panel highlighted the rapid changes in drug supply, along with the need to ensure that people with direct or indirect lived experience of drug misuse are at the heart of decision making on policy and practicalities.”
“First, I want to pick up on what Elena Whitham said about the interesting effects of some of the new drugs that we are seeing. Just last week, NHS Dumfries and Galloway issued an alert in which it warned of sudden onset overdoses as a result of the almost instantaneous effects of heroin contaminated with synthetic opioids. Street heroin is now being cut with nitazenes, a more potent and powerful form of synthetic opioid that is around 600 times stronger than street heroin. The consequences are tragically predictable. Overdoses are massively more likely; the effect of naloxone is sharply reduced, which means that multiple doses of it are needed to counteract the effects of an overdose; and the additional doses take more time to administer in a situation in which seconds are vital.”
“I welcome the work of the people’s panel and its excellent report. Ahead of the debate, I received a briefing from Professor O’Gorman and Gillian McElroy at the University of the West of Scotland—and I should, at this point, thank everyone for their briefings. I and other members of the joint committee are grateful to the members of the people’s panel for their diligence in taking the time to put together a thoughtful and direct series of recommendations on drug misuse and what we as a society could do better to help save and change lives. I cannot do the full report justice in the few minutes that I have, but I want to highlight a few of the issues that the people’s panel addressed and a few of the effects of drug misuse that we are seeing in our communities right now.”
“I think that all those who work in the public sector would benefit from being trained in trauma-informed practice. The Scottish Government has confirmed that it will publish a drugs and alcohol workforce knowledge and skills framework, and I am pleased that it will be accompanied by training and learning resources that are aimed at reducing stigma. Again, it is essential that the implementation and impact are evaluated. I thank the people’s panel members for their report. I hope that their recommendations will result in more people with lived and living experience being included in helping people with their recovery and will bring an end to the unacceptable stigma and discrimination that are experienced by people who use drugs and their family members. 15:33”
“I am really interested in tackling stigma as well. As a former healthcare professional, I think that it would be valuable to also provide stigma education to healthcare professionals who do not work in drug and alcohol services. Does the member agree? Collette Stevenson: I whole-heartedly agree with that. I will say more about stigma and trauma training in my speech. The panel recommends that there should be appropriate anti-stigma training for staff across all public bodies and not just those who work in alcohol and drug partnerships, and that that training should be led and delivered by those with lived and living experience. As I touched on, I and members of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee received training last week on how to take a trauma-informed and responsive approach when speaking with vulnerable people.”
“One of the most important proposals is that we give local communities a stronger voice in the consenting process. For the first time, a pre-application consultation would be statutory, thereby guaranteeing that communities can express their views early in the process to help to shape developments. Ultimately, the legislation is reserved, so we must wait to see how the proposals are managed through the Westminster parliamentary process.”
“The ability to make pre-application community engagement mandatory is reserved to the UK Government under the consenting regime in the UK Electricity Act 1989, which limits our ability to reform energy policy. Will the minister advise me what engagement the Scottish Government has had with the new UK Government on reforms to ensure that planning processes can be taken forward swiftly while giving local communities a voice? Alasdair Allan: Scottish Government officials have been working—I should say that they have been working positively—with their UK Government counterparts on proposed reforms to the Electricity Act 1989 since February 2024, which is before the current Administration took office. We helped to inform the content of the UK Government’s consultation, which was published in October last year.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support increased levels of sport and physical activity in Dumfries and Galloway. (S6O- 04398)”
“Standard charges for southern Scotland are 54 per cent higher per day than for customers in London. Even with changes that are coming soon, the cost will still be 22 per cent higher for a constituent who is living literally right next door to our generating sites. I am conscious of the time, Deputy Presiding Officer— The Deputy Presiding Officer: Yes, Ms Harper—you will need to conclude. Emma Harper: Yes—I am conscious of the time. As a final point, if we had full control over energy in Scotland—over pricing, distribution and everything else—a just transition is what we could achieve. We could make things better for people if we had independence. 16:47”
“I know that a controversial decision was made last week on the Kendoon to Tongland pylon replacement project, but I think that the people in Galloway acknowledge the need for power—they just wanted the line to be undergrounded where appropriate, so I have a lot of sympathy with what Finlay Carson talked about in his intervention. Nevertheless, I am clear that we need to focus on what we can do to improve our renewable energy in the south of Scotland, not only in Dumfries and Galloway but across the Borders. The south, like the country as a whole, is awash with renewables operating right now, as well as future potential. However—and there is a “however”—it is scandalous that the price that every household in my region pays for its electricity is so much higher than in other parts of the UK.”
“Given the number of applications in Dumfries and Galloway that have been rejected by the public and by the council with the decision subsequently overturned by this Government— including the Kendoon to Tongland reinforcement project, on which the Government overruled an independent reporter—does the member believe that her Government is working to the Nolan principles and respecting the rights of those living in Galloway who reject the industrialisation of rural Galloway? The Deputy Presiding Officer: Okay—I think that we have got the gist. I call Ms Harper. Emma Harper: I thank Mr Carson for that intervention speech. We need infrastructure to back up the new renewables, but it needs to be balanced.”
“Emma Harper: Just give me a wee second. Jeremy Sainsbury and his team made us so welcome and provided an excellent overview of some of Natural Power’s work in managing the energy that is generated by onshore turbines across the whole UK. I will take an intervention from Mr Carson. Finlay Carson: Ministers are expected to observe the principles of public life, known as the Nolan principles, which include duty and respect. They outline ethical expectations for those in public life, reflecting the behaviours that the public expects of office bearers.”
“After the visit, The Carbon Removers announced a deal for carbon capture and storage in the North Sea, securing existing jobs and creating new high-quality, high-skilled roles in the technologies of the future, not just in that area but in Dumfriesshire as well. That is exactly what the just transition should be about; it is for all of us. I have visited, on a number of occasions, a local employer that contributes well to Scotland’s renewables industry—Natural Power, near Dalry in the Glenkens area. I was able to secure a British- Irish Parliamentary Assembly economy committee visit to Natural Power as part of that committee’s inquiry into energy policy across the islands. Jeremy Sainsbury, who is the Great Britain policy director at Natural Power— Finlay Carson: Will the member take an intervention?”
“The generating stations run by Drax along the route have a generating capacity of 110MW. That hydro power legacy continues to be shaped in the present day, marrying the old with the new. Right now, just outside Kelloholm, the former Glenmuckloch opencast coal mine is being repurposed into a major hydro-pumped storage facility. I thank the First Minister for visiting The Carbon Removers at Crofthead farm near Crocketford in January this year, where I also went on an earlier visit with the cabinet secretary. The First Minister was able to witness the technology that is being developed there for carbon capture, storage and processing.”
“We need renewables not only to reduce the pollution that is emitted now but to minimise the impact on our descendants who will live in our land decades and centuries from now. That is why I want to recognise Scotland’s renewables revolution and remind members of the huge role that South Scotland is playing in it. We have one of the biggest offshore wind farms in the country at Robin Rigg in the Solway Firth, although it is a source of continued annoyance that all the energy that is generated goes to the south side of the Solway and the marine support is carried out from Workington port rather than from Galloway. The Galloway hydro scheme is now over 90 years old. It was designed and built at a time when terms such as “renewables” and “net zero” were not part of our daily lingo.”
“Is it worth paying that amount for clean-up when we could have clean energy— The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, I think that we have got the gist. Ms Harper. Emma Harper: I visited Chapelcross recently and part of the conversation was about the on- going clean-up. There is a reason why nuclear decommissioning takes decades and requires many different highly skilled professionals to safely decommission sites such as Chapelcross, on the other side of the Solway from Sellafield. The massive cost of new nuclear is no way to run an energy policy and no legacy to leave future generations—it simply adds nuclear waste to the carbon waste that we are already bequeathing them.”
“I will start, as others have, by discussing the development of nuclear power and highlighting the calls for increased spend on nuclear power. We know that one plant alone, Hinkley Point C, is projected to cost around £46 billion in construction costs. I am a bit dumfoonert as to how we can call nuclear “clean and green” when hazardous and toxic waste needs to be handled safely. There is a reason why nuclear decommissioning— Kevin Stewart: Ms Harper highlights Hinkley Point and the £46 billion or so in costs. Quite close to Emma Harper’s region, of course, is Sellafield. In October last year, The Guardian reported that the costs for clearing up Sellafield had reached £136 billion. Does Emma Harper think that that is a worthwhile cost?”
“Indeed, one day last week, I met in the Parliament members of a group from South Ayrshire who have been providing welcoming support to individuals. Peter Kormylo, to whom Emma Harper referred, and the group from South Ayrshire have made that contribution, as have people from across the country, as I have seen in my community in Highland Perthshire, Aberfeldy and Errol, where work has been undertaken to support families and dispatch assistance to Ukraine. Those people have all made a huge contribution, which is deeply valued by the”
“Nearly 48,000 Ukrainians have found refuge in Scotland over the past three years, and about 800 of them are housed in Dumfries and Galloway. Their transition to life here has been hard, but it has been made easier by the huge amount of work that has been carried out by local agencies and volunteers, including my constituent Peter Kormylo, who has worked tirelessly to help Ukrainian refugees to navigate our national quirks. Does the First Minister agree that, as well as official support from local government and national Government, support from Peter and many thousands of people like him across Scotland should be valued? That support has been invaluable and is a shining example of humanity across our borders. The First Minister: Right around the country, various local groups are doing such work.”
“Nevertheless, I would be grateful if the cabinet secretary could advise me whether she will contact her counterpart at the UK Department for Transport and prod them on how the service could be improved so that people in D and G can rely on the transport that they need to get to the capital city, to Glasgow and wider areas.”
“The ticket price of £24.70 from Lockerbie to Edinburgh or Glasgow might be challenging for many, but a look at the train service in the past week alone shows that ticket pricing is not the only problem. Last Friday, 16 of the 34 services at Lockerbie were cancelled completely and only 11—less than a third—turned up on time. The day before, 10 of the 36 services were cancelled and eight were more than half an hour late. On Sunday, only five of the scheduled 30 services turned up at the station on time. Sue Webber: Will the member take an intervention? Emma Harper: I am sorry, but I am not gonnae take any interventions. I am looking at the seconds that I have left. It does not matter what the rail fare is if the trains do not turn up. I know that it is not the Scottish Government’s fault as TransPennine Express is not part of its remit.”
“I would appreciate hearing from the cabinet secretary whether the two-for-one ticket offer boosted passenger numbers and whether there have been any discussions to review the location of the station, although I know that that is a Network Rail issue and is reserved to the UK. Locally, there are challenges in parts of my South Scotland region. Lockerbie station relies on TransPennine Express, which is owned by the UK Department for Transport, for the vast majority of its services. ScotRail does not serve the station and has never served it. I have pursued that issue separately. Lockerbie is an important railhead for Dumfries and Galloway—it is particularly important for the whole of Galloway—but it is clear that we are being dealt a service that seems to be hitting the buffers with depressing regularity.”
“I look forward to the refreshed rail decarbonisation plan that will be published this year, continuing the Scottish Government’s commitment to electrification across a huge swathe of our rail network. On ticketing, customers travelling to or from Stranraer were able to take advantage of a two- for-one ticket offer from 18 November last year, with a £17.30 return for twae folk. However, there are challenges with the station’s current location at the end of the pier, and some people have mooted a reopening of the Station Street station near the town centre or a newer platform closer to the town centre.”
“The investment programme, which has included £20 million for building the Reston railway station in Berwickshire, has led to a huge increase in passenger numbers. It is that kind of investment that drives people to choose the railway to travel, because it leads to improved and faster services, cleaner and smoother travel, and modernised and reliable rolling stock. I appreciate the point that we all want to pay less for our train and bus tickets. If the Scottish Government had the required financial resources, it could repeat or extend the off-peak trial. However, it seems from the Government’s amendment that that “would cost up to £40 million of resource funding” and, while our resources are subject to someone else’s diktat, I believe that we need to get the biggest bang for our buck.”
“First, I welcome the news that the feasibility study into extending the Borders railway will get going, after some foot dragging from the Tory and Labour UK Governments. I hope that, when the feasibility study reports to the by then re-elected SNP Scottish Government, it will study the recommendations carefully. The Scottish Government’s programme of rail modernisation has, among those of all parties, been one of the success stories of devolution, not just— Paul Sweeney: Will the member take an intervention? Emma Harper: I am sorry—I dinna have time. Four-minute speeches are quite short. Rail modernisation has been one of the success stories of devolution, not just in the Borders but across the country. The system has been built on and expanded hugely over the past decades.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the announcement by Creative Scotland that it will provide multiyear funding to deliver cultural and creative programmes. (S6O-04350)”
“I ask for back-bench speeches of up to four minutes. 18:12”
“The Royal College of Psychiatrists recognises how important it is to have guidance across all healthcare settings, and it has created the “Medical emergencies in eating disorders (MEED): Guidance on recognition and management”. That replaces the previous management of really sick patients with anorexia nervosa—MARSIPAN—and junior MARSIPAN guidance. A lot of actions have been implemented. I am conscious of time, so finally, I would ask anyone who has a worry about themselves or a family member to consider calling the Beat helpline in Scotland on 0808 801 0432 and speaking in confidence to an adviser. There is so much work being done, and I say to the minister that it needs to continue at pace. I look forward to hearing colleagues’ contributions and the minister’s response. The Deputy Presiding Officer: We move to the open debate.”