Meeting of the Parliament 28 May 2025
Of course I agree with Christine Grahame on that subject. All practical means should be used to alleviate the suffering and confusion that people feel when they have conditions that they do not understand and their own self-awareness is challenged. What Christine Grahame said in that regard is right. She also said, in concluding her remarks, that her suggestion was not an attempt on her part to sidestep the importance of a diagnosis, and I would like to conclude on the issue of diagnosis.
Before I do that, however, I note that Claire Baker was absolutely right in what she said about the Government playing about with the waiting lists, changing definitions and moving blocks of people to different lists. That is a disgrace, and the Government has engaged in that for years in order to get the answer that it wants from statistics. That is not acceptable.
On the issue of diagnosis, the minister failed to acknowledge that, for adults in particular, the inability to obtain a diagnosis has disqualified them from some of the support that they need, particularly, as Willie Rennie said, in relation to employment. A diagnosis is not a luxury or an added extra; it is the key that often unlocks the support that people need, particularly when it comes to their employment.
I realise that I am out of time, but I thank the Liberal Democrats for bringing the subject to the chamber. I hope that the cabinet secretary will meet the Minister for Parliamentary Business and ask for a proper debate in the Government’s debating time, so that we can properly air the issue and come together as a Parliament to ensure that something changes for people who ought not to have any further delay in their diagnosis and treatment.
16:58