Meeting of the Parliament 11 December 2025
It absolutely does confuse me. What health boards say to their patients about waiting times and what they publish are completely separate. We have seen that in NHS Lanarkshire. What we are talking about is not transparency but obfuscation, and it is unacceptable.
Without access to correct data, how can a service possibly be planned? Without a clear pathway, people will fall through the cracks, and the situation is placing intolerable pressure on an already overstretched mental health system.
We know about the consequences of that. We heard Daniel Johnson talk about worse educational outcomes, higher rates of unemployment and the significant overrepresentation of individuals with autism and ADHD in the criminal justice system. Untreated ADHD increases the risk of substance misuse. Untreated autism increases the risk of anxiety, depression and suicide. Early diagnosis is not optional; it is life changing and life saving.
The minister has called for a round table on 15 December. I will be honest and say that I am sceptical about that. We have had countless round tables and warm words, but we rarely see action, so I would like to ask a few questions.
What has been done since the minister appeared before the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee on 28 October? Has he met members of health boards to ensure that data is collected appropriately? Is reliable data now being collected? What steps have been taken to ensure transparency?
Scotland needs a multisystem, society-wide response. We cannot simply expand broken structures. We need coherent pathways from diagnosis to treatment to long-term support, and we need those now. The royal college has done its job; it is time for the Scottish Government to do its job.
13:07