S7W-02976

Asked by:

Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to ending corridor care in NHS Scotland, and, if so, whether it will set clear milestones, timelines and accountability mechanisms to ensure that people are no longer treated in corridors and other non-clinical spaces.

Answered by Constance, Angela - Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care

On 31 August 2026 we published the Health and Care Improving Flow Plan 2026-2031. It sets out the Scottish Government’s position that corridor care is unacceptable, and should be eradicated. The plan includes a clear commitment to tackle overcrowding and corridor care, creating safer and more dignified environments for patients and staff.

Ministers will have direct oversight of this improvement activity through our Collaborative Response and Assurance Group. More detailed work is now underway with Health Boards to establish monitoring of delivery of the Improving Flow Plan, to ensure progress is made. Delivery plans are being developed which will set out actions, milestones and accountability mechanisms.

S7W-02943

Asked by:

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of the widespread availability of weight loss injections on people with eating disorders.

Answered by Todd, Maree - Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs

The Scottish Government recognises the wider considerations associated with GLP-1 weight loss medication use in relation to people with eating disorders.

The Scottish Government’s National Eating Disorders Network has committed to establish a short-life working group to consider potential issues relating to GLP-1 medication and eating disorders. With work expected to begin over the coming months, the group will bring together expertise to develop understanding of this evolving area and help inform appropriate next steps.

NHS inform provides information and advice on diabetes and weight loss medication, including advising people with an eating disorder to speak to a healthcare professional if they are considering taking weight loss medication.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) make clear that these medicines are prescription-only and should be prescribed by a registered healthcare professional and under appropriate medical supervision. Seeking appropriate clinical advice helps to ensure that treatment is suitable for an individual's circumstances and can be used safely.

It is important that prescription-only medicines are obtained from regulated sources, as medicines obtained through unregulated sources may not meet the required standards of safety and quality.

S7W-02944

Asked by:

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take in the current parliamentary session to continue implementing the recommendations of the Scottish Eating Disorder Services Review.

Answered by Todd, Maree - Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs

In line with the recommendation from the National Review of Eating Disorder Services, the National Eating Disorders Network was established in 2024 to help improve training, skills development, and public health strategies.

We are currently delivering on the medium and longer term recommendations with the help of the Network including:

• Supporting implementation of the Specification by assessing Health Boards’ needs and collecting relevant data through an audit tool.
• Producing content for NHS inform, providing free and accessible information and advice on eating disorders for people in Scotland.
• Developing and delivering further training for NHS colleagues.
• Working with partners in hosting regular webinars for clinicians, carers and people with lived experience from across Scotland.
• Engaging with stakeholders to discuss our approach to GLP-1 weight loss medications, in respect of eating disorders.
• Engaging with stakeholders on data collection and reporting, to understand how best to support them in this area.

S7W-02946

Asked by:

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of the display of calorie information in restaurants on people with eating disorders.

Answered by Todd, Maree - Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs

Responses to the consultation on Mandatory Calorie Labelling in the Out of Home Sector in Scotland highlighted the need for further evidence on the potential impacts that calorie information may have on people with lived and living experience of an eating disorder. We are working with Food Standards Scotland and Public Health Scotland to review the available evidence and consider the potential impacts of this policy.

Food Standards Scotland has been monitoring the evidence base to understand more about how the display of calorie information in out of home setting may impact those living with or susceptible to an eating disorder. A programme of research on this issue, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research is due to conclude at the end of this year.

S7W-02947

Asked by:

Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many adults have received treatment for an eating disorder since 1999, broken down by (a) year and (b) NHS board.

Answered by Todd, Maree - Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs

The data required to answer this question is not held or collected by the Scottish Government.

While Public Health Scotland holds data on adults admitted to psychiatric or general/acute hospitals for treatment, there is no information collected on those treated in other settings, including in outpatient and primary care settings. As a result, available data is likely to substantially undercount the number of adults that have received treatment for an eating disorder in Scotland over the period requested.

It would therefore be misleading to use the data currently available from Public Health Scotland to answer the question.

S7W-02936

Asked by: Briggs, Miles (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Edinburgh and Lothians East)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made towards implementing artificial intelligence technology to support the identification and triage of patients who may be eligible for thrombectomy, and whether any outstanding approvals or financial sign-offs are currently delaying implementation.

Answered by Todd, Maree - Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs

The Scottish Government has approved funding for the procurement of an artificial intelligence solution to support the expansion of thrombectomy services.

S7W-02934

Asked by: Briggs, Miles (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Edinburgh and Lothians East)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what additional funding it has allocated in 2026-27 to support the expansion of thrombectomy services to 24/7 national coverage, and what further funding it estimates will be required to achieve that commitment.

Answered by Todd, Maree - Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs

£17 million was allocated in the 2026-27 Scottish Budget to support the development of thrombectomy services.

S7W-02938

Asked by: Briggs, Miles (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Edinburgh and Lothians East)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide regular updates to Parliament on progress made towards delivering national 24/7 thrombectomy coverage, including on funding, workforce, geographical coverage and implementation milestones.

Answered by Todd, Maree - Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs

The Scottish Government does not currently plan to provide regular updates to Parliament on progress towards delivery of a 24/7 thrombectomy service. However, significant developments will be communicated through the usual parliamentary and public reporting arrangements.

S7W-02931

Asked by: Briggs, Miles (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Edinburgh and Lothians East)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its commitment to deliver 24/7 thrombectomy cover “regardless of geography” means in practice, and how it will ensure that patients in rural and island communities can access thrombectomy services when clinically indicated.

Answered by Todd, Maree - Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs

The Scottish Government's ambition is that, subject to clinical eligibility, patients will be able to receive thrombectomy procedure at a hub hospital, regardless of their geographical location at the time they suffer a stroke.

S7W-02935

Asked by: Briggs, Miles (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Edinburgh and Lothians East)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the additional clinical workforce required to provide a national 24/7 thrombectomy service, including interventional neuroradiologists, radiographers, anaesthetists and other relevant staff, and what steps it is taking to address any workforce gaps.

Answered by Todd, Maree - Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs

The Scottish Government has not conducted a specific assessment of additional clinical workforce required to provide a national 24/7 thrombectomy service.