General Questions - 1 May 2025

Summary

The transcript highlights a session of general question time in the Scottish Parliament, where various issues are addressed, including mental health service funding, hospital-at-home provisions, fire station concerns, and support for people with learning disabilities. Members of Parliament raise pressing local concerns such as cuts to vital services like Flourish House in Glasgow, potential risks to fire safety in Lochgelly, and the adequacy of seasonal workers' accommodation. The Scottish Government responds by outlining ongoing initiatives, funding allocations, and plans for future reviews and consultations on these issues.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Scottish Government continues to invest in mental health services, allocating over £1.5 billion for mental health support in 2025-26.
• 😀 The integration joint boards (IJB) are responsible for local decisions regarding mental health services, including planning and delivery.
• 😀 NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has received over £27.5 million for mental health services in 2024-25, as part of the enhanced mental health outcomes framework.
• 😀 Glasgow's health and social care partnership's decision to cut funding for Flourish House, a mental health recovery community, has raised concerns about disrupting services.
• 😀 The Scottish Government has committed to expanding hospital-at-home services across Scotland, aiming for at least 2,000 beds by December 2026.
• 😀 NHS Borders has already established 20 virtual beds for its hospital-at-home service, although challenges remain in reaching certain areas like Tweeddale.
• 😀 The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is reviewing its service delivery, including potential cuts to equipment and personnel at Lochgelly fire station, with a public consultation planned.
• 😀 The Scottish Government supports the review of data collection on sex and gender, working towards harmonised standards for collecting such data across public bodies.
• 😀 The Sullivan review, a key document on sex and gender data, recommends that sex data be collected by default in government research and data collection.
• 😀 The Scottish Government is actively supporting various educational pathways, including modern apprenticeships and vocational training, to ensure that young people have diverse career options.

Q & A

What is the Scottish Government's funding for mental health services in 2025-26?

The Scottish Government has allocated over £1.5 billion for mental health services in 2025-26. Specifically, NHS boards were allocated £123.5 million in 2024-25 through the enhanced mental health outcomes framework, with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde receiving more than £27.5 million.

Why is Flourish House in Glasgow at risk of closure?

Flourish House, a mental health recovery community, is at risk of closure due to Glasgow's health and social care partnership deciding not to renew its core funding. This decision is attributed to budgetary constraints faced by the integration joint boards.

What does the Scottish Government expect from local decisions regarding mental health services?

The Scottish Government expects local decisions regarding mental health services to be made in consultation with the communities involved, considering the impact on those communities and other services that may be required to step in.

What is the current status of NHS Borders' hospital-at-home service?

As of May 2025, NHS Borders has established a virtual capacity of 20 beds through its hospital-at-home service. However, the service's reach is limited by the ability to travel safely and effectively to patients, with areas like Tweeddale currently excluded.

How is the Scottish Government supporting the expansion of hospital-at-home services?

The Scottish Government is committed to expanding hospital-at-home services across Scotland, aiming to provide at least 2,000 beds by December 2026. This expansion is part of a £200 million allocation from the overall £21.7 billion for health and social care this year.

What is the Scottish Government's response to concerns about cuts to Lochgelly fire station?

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is currently conducting a review to assess the optimal placement of fire stations, appliances, and crews. The SFRS has engaged with staff and unions, and a public consultation will be held before any final decisions are made regarding the cuts.

What has been the response to the concerns raised about Lochgelly fire station?

The minister acknowledged the concerns but stated that the SFRS board and chief officer are best placed to make decisions about resource deployment. A full public consultation will take place, allowing the community to voice their opinions.

What steps is the Scottish Government taking to address issues with seasonal workers' accommodation?

The Scottish Government is reviewing the regulation and oversight of seasonal workers' accommodation, particularly for agricultural workers. Current inspections are being carried out, and further engagement with the industry is ongoing to improve the situation.

Is there a national health passport scheme for people with learning disabilities in Scotland?

Currently, there is no national health passport scheme for people with learning disabilities in Scotland. However, organizations like PAMIS have developed their own versions of a digital passport, and the Scottish Government is progressing work on a proposed learning disabilities, autism, and neurodivergence bill.

What actions is the Scottish Government taking to raise awareness about health passports for people with learning disabilities?

The Scottish Government is working with organizations like PAMIS and NHS Education for Scotland to raise awareness and support health and social care professionals in effectively implementing learning disability passports. Further work is underway as part of the learning disabilities, autism, and neurodivergence bill.