Meeting of the Parliament 16 December 2025 [Draft]
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-18720, in the name of Rona Mackay, on awareness of aphasia.
The debate will be concluded without any question being put. I invite members who wish to participate to press their request-to-speak buttons.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament notes that aphasia, which is a language disorder that affects one in three stroke survivors, and can also arise with other neurological conditions or head injuries, can have a significant impact on many people; understands that it can affect speech production and understanding, reading, writing and using numbers and that the level of difficulty experienced varies from person to person, from mild to severe; recognises the significant impact aphasia can have on a person’s life, including leading to feelings of isolation, loneliness and mental health issues; notes the impact that aphasia can have on a person’s relationships with family and friends, everyday social interactions and access to work or services, as well as the stigma and negative treatment that can arise from living with the condition; welcomes the ongoing work of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) to support people living with aphasia through resources and services; further welcomes the new CHSS course, Living Well with Aphasia, which focuses on giving stroke survivors the information, skills and resources to live well with the condition; notes the calls on the Scottish Government, NHS boards and other key organisations to be better informed about aphasia and to have a greater understanding of the reality of living with what can be a serious and potentially devastating health condition, and further notes the calls to improve access to supported self-management and rehabilitation services for people living with aphasia in Strathkelvin and Bearsden and across the country, to ensure that everyone gets the support that they deserve.
18:07Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.