Seòmar agus comataidhean

Can the cabinet secretary explain not only how the Government will fill the massive number of carer vacancies, as is required to end delayed discharge, but how it will better support existing staff who are working flat out to provide care to those who are stuck in hospitals?

I, too, thank Elena Whitham for bringing this important debate to the chamber, and I welcome the guests to the public gallery. I thank parents such as David for pushing us, as politicians, to do more.

Like other parties, Scottish Labour supports the aims and objectives of eating disorders awareness week 2026, which this year—as we heard from other members—has a particular focus on the theme of community. That is such an important point to make.

As we have heard from other members, at least 100,000 people in Scotland are living with an eating disorder, and hundreds of thousands more are impacted as relatives, friends and colleagues. However, despite the number of people who are affected, we know that many people—both those who are personally living with an eating disorder and family members and friends who are trying to support a loved one with an eating disorder—will feel like they are facing the illness alone.

As has been said, eating disorders can be deeply isolating, and it can be frightening and difficult to reach out for support. We hear that repeatedly from those who are recovering and from their families. Some of the hardest times come before one realises that there are other people who have had similar experiences and other people to reach out to who care and have the skills to help. It often feels lonely, so we need that community approach at many different points on the journey.

In researching for the debate, I was pleased to see that Beat’s online page talks about

“celebrating the power of community”

and the real, important role that

“family, friends, and other support networks play in helping someone feel supported, understood, and never alone on their journey from seeking help, undergoing treatment and beyond.”

A community in that sense can and will extend throughout the journey.

Before coming to this place, I worked for some time in this particular field, and I feel that the importance of wider family, friends and community in supporting people cannot be overplayed. Recovery is always best when we have others around us, and often the ability to be part of a team together is not valued enough. When I talk about a team, I mean being together wherever that is, whether it is with our close family or close friends, with an official care team or with people who may not know much but reach out to us, such as those who are part of a local charity or community group. Sometimes, even the kindness of strangers can make a difference.

Therefore, I find the focus this year on community to be very important, and I want to amplify what Elena Whitham, the member who brought this debate to the chamber, said. We, as politicians, should be part of that community, too, and we must do our bit as legislators and policy makers to provide support. In fact, when I was looking through some information on this matter, I noted that Beat has talked about having the widest community possible and mentions the role that online communities can play. We need to highlight the importance to people of having that sense of community.

Like others, I acknowledge the comprehensive recommendations set out in the 2021 national review of eating disorder services, and I accept that a lot of work on this issue has been undertaken by Government and by organisations such as Beat. However, I agree that we must continue to advance, and at some pace. In that respect, I would like to raise the issue of community and local services that people can access. When I met representatives of Beat in my office, they explained to me how its report “There’s no place like home: The case for intensive community and day treatments for eating disorders” shows an urgent need to expand access to intensive community and day treatments and to ensure that such services are available to people of all ages across the UK, so that they can be seen frequently. That is perhaps a different approach from the models that we have at the moment, whereby people might be seen only weekly. Beat also commented on the importance of recovery within the community and noted that things such as eating out are done better through those kinds of networks and services.

Given the pressure of time, I will stop there. I look forward to hearing the minister’s response to this evening’s debate, which I have really enjoyed.

20:32

Can the cabinet secretary explain not only how the Government will fill the massive number of carer vacancies, as is required to end delayed discharge, but how it will better support existing staff who are working flat out to provide care to those who are stuck in hospitals?

I, too, thank Elena Whitham for bringing this important debate to the chamber, and I welcome the guests to the public gallery. I thank parents such as David for pushing us, as politicians, to do more.

Like other parties, Scottish Labour supports the aims and objectives of eating disorders awareness week 2026, which this year—as we heard from other members—has a particular focus on the theme of community. That is such an important point to make.

As we have heard from other members, at least 100,000 people in Scotland are living with an eating disorder, and hundreds of thousands more are impacted as relatives, friends and colleagues. However, despite the number of people who are affected, we know that many people—both those who are personally living with an eating disorder and family members and friends who are trying to support a loved one with an eating disorder—will feel like they are facing the illness alone.

As has been said, eating disorders can be deeply isolating, and it can be frightening and difficult to reach out for support. We hear that repeatedly from those who are recovering and from their families. Some of the hardest times come before one realises that there are other people who have had similar experiences and other people to reach out to who care and have the skills to help. It often feels lonely, so we need that community approach at many different points on the journey.

In researching for the debate, I was pleased to see that Beat’s online page talks about

“celebrating the power of community”

and the real, important role that

“family, friends, and other support networks play in helping someone feel supported, understood, and never alone on their journey from seeking help, undergoing treatment and beyond.”

A community in that sense can and will extend throughout the journey.

Before coming to this place, I worked for some time in this particular field, and I feel that the importance of wider family, friends and community in supporting people cannot be overplayed. Recovery is always best when we have others around us, and often the ability to be part of a team together is not valued enough. When I talk about a team, I mean being together wherever that is, whether it is with our close family or close friends, with an official care team or with people who may not know much but reach out to us, such as those who are part of a local charity or community group. Sometimes, even the kindness of strangers can make a difference.

Therefore, I find the focus this year on community to be very important, and I want to amplify what Elena Whitham, the member who brought this debate to the chamber, said. We, as politicians, should be part of that community, too, and we must do our bit as legislators and policy makers to provide support. In fact, when I was looking through some information on this matter, I noted that Beat has talked about having the widest community possible and mentions the role that online communities can play. We need to highlight the importance to people of having that sense of community.

Like others, I acknowledge the comprehensive recommendations set out in the 2021 national review of eating disorder services, and I accept that a lot of work on this issue has been undertaken by Government and by organisations such as Beat. However, I agree that we must continue to advance, and at some pace. In that respect, I would like to raise the issue of community and local services that people can access. When I met representatives of Beat in my office, they explained to me how its report “There’s no place like home: The case for intensive community and day treatments for eating disorders” shows an urgent need to expand access to intensive community and day treatments and to ensure that such services are available to people of all ages across the UK, so that they can be seen frequently. That is perhaps a different approach from the models that we have at the moment, whereby people might be seen only weekly. Beat also commented on the importance of recovery within the community and noted that things such as eating out are done better through those kinds of networks and services.

Given the pressure of time, I will stop there. I look forward to hearing the minister’s response to this evening’s debate, which I have really enjoyed.

20:32

Can the cabinet secretary explain not only how the Government will fill the massive number of carer vacancies, as is required to end delayed discharge, but how it will better support existing staff who are working flat out to provide care to those who are stuck in hospitals?

I, too, thank Elena Whitham for bringing this important debate to the chamber, and I welcome the guests to the public gallery. I thank parents such as David for pushing us, as politicians, to do more.

Like other parties, Scottish Labour supports the aims and objectives of eating disorders awareness week 2026, which this year—as we heard from other members—has a particular focus on the theme of community. That is such an important point to make.

As we have heard from other members, at least 100,000 people in Scotland are living with an eating disorder, and hundreds of thousands more are impacted as relatives, friends and colleagues. However, despite the number of people who are affected, we know that many people—both those who are personally living with an eating disorder and family members and friends who are trying to support a loved one with an eating disorder—will feel like they are facing the illness alone.

As has been said, eating disorders can be deeply isolating, and it can be frightening and difficult to reach out for support. We hear that repeatedly from those who are recovering and from their families. Some of the hardest times come before one realises that there are other people who have had similar experiences and other people to reach out to who care and have the skills to help. It often feels lonely, so we need that community approach at many different points on the journey.

In researching for the debate, I was pleased to see that Beat’s online page talks about

“celebrating the power of community”

and the real, important role that

“family, friends, and other support networks play in helping someone feel supported, understood, and never alone on their journey from seeking help, undergoing treatment and beyond.”

A community in that sense can and will extend throughout the journey.

Before coming to this place, I worked for some time in this particular field, and I feel that the importance of wider family, friends and community in supporting people cannot be overplayed. Recovery is always best when we have others around us, and often the ability to be part of a team together is not valued enough. When I talk about a team, I mean being together wherever that is, whether it is with our close family or close friends, with an official care team or with people who may not know much but reach out to us, such as those who are part of a local charity or community group. Sometimes, even the kindness of strangers can make a difference.

Therefore, I find the focus this year on community to be very important, and I want to amplify what Elena Whitham, the member who brought this debate to the chamber, said. We, as politicians, should be part of that community, too, and we must do our bit as legislators and policy makers to provide support. In fact, when I was looking through some information on this matter, I noted that Beat has talked about having the widest community possible and mentions the role that online communities can play. We need to highlight the importance to people of having that sense of community.

Like others, I acknowledge the comprehensive recommendations set out in the 2021 national review of eating disorder services, and I accept that a lot of work on this issue has been undertaken by Government and by organisations such as Beat. However, I agree that we must continue to advance, and at some pace. In that respect, I would like to raise the issue of community and local services that people can access. When I met representatives of Beat in my office, they explained to me how its report “There’s no place like home: The case for intensive community and day treatments for eating disorders” shows an urgent need to expand access to intensive community and day treatments and to ensure that such services are available to people of all ages across the UK, so that they can be seen frequently. That is perhaps a different approach from the models that we have at the moment, whereby people might be seen only weekly. Beat also commented on the importance of recovery within the community and noted that things such as eating out are done better through those kinds of networks and services.

Given the pressure of time, I will stop there. I look forward to hearing the minister’s response to this evening’s debate, which I have really enjoyed.

20:32

—about how we discuss these matters and ensure that we can do so like adults.

Today, we are seeking clarity on the safety of the Queen Elizabeth university hospital. Public trust and confidence in our NHS should always be a top priority—without it, we risk undermining the very foundations of our health service.

I thank all the hard-working and dedicated staff who deliver safe and effective care across Scotland each and every day. Staff are the backbone of our NHS, and I am grateful for all that they do in caring for our families, friends and loved ones. Let us be clear: the issues that we are discussing today are not an attack on those who deliver care. Rather, this debate highlights the failures in governance systems and structures, because what happened at the hospital is a scandal.

Again, I put on record my deepest condolences and sympathies to the patients, families and staff who were ignored and betrayed. Hospitals are supposed to help people to get better, not make them sicker, and no one should worry that hospitals and healthcare facilities are not safe.

The truth is that the Queen Elizabeth university hospital opened before it was ready, and it opened with contaminated water. The risk of waterborne infection was foreseeable, and issues were raised, but they were not acted on. Those who raised concerns were belittled, silenced and threatened, and whistleblowing procedures were not followed. The health board failed to admit serious errors in judgment and withheld the truth from patients and families.

NHS staff deserve to work in an environment in which their concerns are listened to and addressed, particularly when patient safety is a concern. However, on this Government’s watch, that did not happen.

What happened at the hospital was a monumental failure—it was a failure in safety, a failure in leadership and a failure in accountability. Of course, we cannot rewrite the errors of the past, but we must do everything possible to ensure that patients are kept safe and that past mistakes are never repeated. We must ensure that those who are affected by the contaminated water are told the truth, and we must ensure that steps are taken to reassure patients that the hospital is safe.

The establishment of the safety and public confidence oversight group is welcome, and action must be taken to boost the public’s confidence in the hospital. The oversight group cannot be another tick-box exercise—it must lead to tangible and meaningful change for patients, families and staff.

While we wait for the oversight group to begin its reporting, which could take months, the public need to be reassured now. We do not need an oversight group to tell us whether every ward and unit in the hospital has been fully validated; the Government could give us that information today. We do not need an oversight group to tell us what immediate steps are being taken to address issues with whistleblowing, which the Patient Safety Commissioner has identified as a system-wide issue. Finally, we do not need an oversight group to tell us how the Scottish Government will ensure full transparency over hospital safety concerns in the future.

I recognise the work that the group has been set up to do, but the Government has the power to reassure patients now. The public want to know whether each area of the hospital has been fully validated, including water and ventilation systems, whether that has been independently verified and, if so, whether that information will be published.

Until those questions are answered and patients and staff are satisfied, Parliament cannot be satisfied. It is our job to speak up for our constituents and scrutinise this failing Government. Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour are doing just that.

15:24

The Government has provided no extra funding to IJBs to support any of that work.

The minister knows that that is the proper procedure to allow me to discuss such matters and bring to the attention of the Parliament issues from trade unions, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and local government. If you cared at all, you would be prepared to talk properly—

Today, we are seeking clarity on the safety of the Queen Elizabeth university hospital. Public trust and confidence in our NHS should always be a top priority—without it, we risk undermining the very foundations of our health service.

I thank all the hard-working and dedicated staff who deliver safe and effective care across Scotland each and every day. Staff are the backbone of our NHS, and I am grateful for all that they do in caring for our families, friends and loved ones. Let us be clear: the issues that we are discussing today are not an attack on those who deliver care. Rather, this debate highlights the failures in governance systems and structures, because what happened at the hospital is a scandal.

Again, I put on record my deepest condolences and sympathies to the patients, families and staff who were ignored and betrayed. Hospitals are supposed to help people to get better, not make them sicker, and no one should worry that hospitals and healthcare facilities are not safe.

The truth is that the Queen Elizabeth university hospital opened before it was ready, and it opened with contaminated water. The risk of waterborne infection was foreseeable, and issues were raised, but they were not acted on. Those who raised concerns were belittled, silenced and threatened, and whistleblowing procedures were not followed. The health board failed to admit serious errors in judgment and withheld the truth from patients and families.

NHS staff deserve to work in an environment in which their concerns are listened to and addressed, particularly when patient safety is a concern. However, on this Government’s watch, that did not happen.

What happened at the hospital was a monumental failure—it was a failure in safety, a failure in leadership and a failure in accountability. Of course, we cannot rewrite the errors of the past, but we must do everything possible to ensure that patients are kept safe and that past mistakes are never repeated. We must ensure that those who are affected by the contaminated water are told the truth, and we must ensure that steps are taken to reassure patients that the hospital is safe.

The establishment of the safety and public confidence oversight group is welcome, and action must be taken to boost the public’s confidence in the hospital. The oversight group cannot be another tick-box exercise—it must lead to tangible and meaningful change for patients, families and staff.

While we wait for the oversight group to begin its reporting, which could take months, the public need to be reassured now. We do not need an oversight group to tell us whether every ward and unit in the hospital has been fully validated; the Government could give us that information today. We do not need an oversight group to tell us what immediate steps are being taken to address issues with whistleblowing, which the Patient Safety Commissioner has identified as a system-wide issue. Finally, we do not need an oversight group to tell us how the Scottish Government will ensure full transparency over hospital safety concerns in the future.

I recognise the work that the group has been set up to do, but the Government has the power to reassure patients now. The public want to know whether each area of the hospital has been fully validated, including water and ventilation systems, whether that has been independently verified and, if so, whether that information will be published.

Until those questions are answered and patients and staff are satisfied, Parliament cannot be satisfied. It is our job to speak up for our constituents and scrutinise this failing Government. Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour are doing just that.

15:24