Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 18 November 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress it has made towards receiving annual updates from NHS boards to ensure that the appropriate healthcare standards and practices are in place for detainees in police custody.
In 2022, joint inspection arrangements between HMICS and HIS were established to ensure that healthcare aspects of custody centre operations are appropriately scrutinised by suitably qualified professionals. They work to ensure that individuals in custody receive equitable healthcare and support compared to the general population, within the constraints of the custody environment.
Following the development of an interim framework to inspect, and the HIS baseline review of healthcare provision in police custody in 2023, the framework to inspect was finalised in 2024. This has since underpinned the programme of joint inspections.
Scottish Government provides £180,000 annually to support the healthcare aspect of these inspections.
When issues are identified through inspections, be they systemic or specific to individual centres, it is for Police Scotland and the NHS to work alongside relevant partners to deliver the necessary improvements to align with recommendations made.
Relating specifically to obtaining Controlled Drug Licenses and implementing policies on access to prescribed medication, in March 2024 the Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy committed to request annual updates from health boards to monitor progress. This followed the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee’s consideration of Petition PE1900.
The Scottish Government continues to oversee implementation across Scotland including a recently commissioned survey to all Health Boards to monitor compliance in each area. These steps demonstrate commitment to ensuring detainees in police custody across Scotland have access to prescribed medications, including methadone.