Hansard

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

25 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership

I recognise the concerns that the member raises. Similar concerns have been raised with me by many members about decisions that have been taken in their localities. I note, however, that statutory responsibility for those decisions sits with integration joint boards. The Parli...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

25 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership

I assure the member that all councils will receive their fair share of the currently undistributed sum of £107.5 million. We recognise that social care is under pressure. That is why we increased the allocation in the budget for social care and for local government. As I touch...

The Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing (Tom Arthur) SNP Chamber

25 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership

In 2026-27, North Ayrshire Council will receive £403.9 million to fund local services, which equates to an extra £20.1 million or an additional 5.2 per cent compared to 2025-26. NHS Ayrshire and Arran will receive nearly £1.1 billion in baseline funding, which equates to an in...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

25 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Adult Social Care Displaced Worker Scheme

Jackie Dunbar raises extremely important points. We all recognise that, both in Scotland and across the wider UK, there are significant systemic challenges in social care, in particular owing to demographic pressures and the cost of living crisis with which we have been conten...

The Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing (Tom Arthur) SNP Chamber

25 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Adult Social Care Displaced Worker Scheme

The scheme, which closed in January 2026, is backed by £500,000 of Scottish Government funding and helps employers to fill critical roles in adult social care via displaced international workers who are already in the United Kingdom and find themselves without sponsored employ...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Topical Question Time · Home Care Services

I draw the member’s attention to the additional resource that was agreed through the budget process in the Parliament, although I recognise that social care providers are under significant pressure. We know that that is a consequence of the UK Labour Government’s decision to i...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Topical Question Time · Home Care Services

I put on record my sincere gratitude to Donald Macaskill and his team at Scottish Care for their continued engagement and valued insights. It has been a pleasure to engage with them regularly throughout my tenure as minister.To respond on the issue of pay, that is why I made t...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Topical Question Time · Home Care Services

I recognise the constructive engagement of Ms Laughland. With regard to what has been achieved in this Parliament, one key point that I will highlight is the increase in resource. This Government committed to an increase in social care resource of 25 per cent. That commitment ...

The Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing (Tom Arthur) SNP Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Topical Question Time · Home Care Services

We are working to improve outcomes for people who need or receive social care. No one in Scotland should have to wait for crucial care and support. It is the responsibility of local authorities, national health service boards and integrated health and social care partnerships ...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

19 Mar 2026

General Question Time · Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessments (NHS Tayside)

There is an opportunity, particularly in the next session of the Parliament, to work constructively together to ensure that people are receiving the support that they require.

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

19 Mar 2026

General Question Time · Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessments (NHS Tayside)

I concur with Mr Marra and appreciate the points that he raises. I want to be absolutely clear that such lengths of waits are completely unacceptable. I made that point directly to the chief executive of NHS Tayside, as I have to every other health board that I have met. I rec...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

19 Mar 2026

General Question Time · Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessments (NHS Tayside)

I appreciate and value the meeting that Mark Ruskell and I had to discuss the matter, and his on-going interest and engagement. I recognise that we are contending with a significant increase in demand over recent years, which necessitates not just a whole-system, but a whole-s...

The Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing (Tom Arthur) SNP Chamber

19 Mar 2026

General Question Time · Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessments (NHS Tayside)

I am aware of NHS Tayside’s decision to pause new neurodevelopmental referrals where a child does not have a coexisting mental health condition, but that does not mean that support is unavailable. For example, local authorities have a statutory duty to identify and make provis...

The Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing (Tom Arthur) SNP Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

Unfortunately, Neil Gray, who up until today has led on Liam McArthur’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill for the Scottish Government, was admitted to hospital yesterday. I am pleased to say that he has now been discharged, but he is unable to take part ...

The Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing (Tom Arthur) SNP Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I will be extremely brief, Presiding Officer. Amendments 1 to 5 would appear to be necessary technical amendments to correct some of the cross-references in the bill as amended at stage 3.

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Skye House

I recognise the young people and families who have come forward, spoken directly to me and other members, and engaged in the process. I cannot express my gratitude more profoundly for what they have done. I hope that what I have set out in my statement—the actions that the Gov...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Skye House

We expect all health boards and their employees to act in line with the values and behaviours that are expected of those in NHS Scotland. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has committed to delivering a significant culture change programme that is focused on listening, transparency...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Skye House

An executive oversight group has been established by the board to look at the issues at Skye house. The chief executive will be kept up to date, but there is a process in place for the immediate escalation of any serious or urgent matters. The Government’s position is that off...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Skye House

I recognise Elena Whitham’s long-standing championing of these issues, and she will be aware of the importance that I place on them, too.It is of the utmost importance that we ensure that all our public services are delivered in a neuro-inclusive way. Indeed, that has been par...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Skye House

I recognise the importance of the independent assurance that is provided through inspection, and I agree with Alex Cole-Hamilton on that. As he will appreciate, both the Mental Welfare Commission and HIS operate independently, and it is for them to take those decisions. Howeve...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Skye House

Issues in the wider team were part of the discussions and conversations that were undertaken with the chief executive and her team. Although there has been a significant increase in staffing, as I touched on earlier, there is still work under way to complete that process in or...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Skye House

As Emma Harper will appreciate, responsibility for ensuring that staff are fully and appropriately trained lies with individual NHS boards. Operational workforce decisions, including staff training, development and deployment, are matters for local determination. However, the ...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Skye House

I thank Carol Mochan for her question. As I said in my statement, I have spoken directly with the chief executives and senior leadership of all three boards where the adolescent in-patient units are located. Different issues were raised across the reports, but there were also ...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Skye House

Culture is of the utmost importance. In this specific case, it was clearly highlighted as a key concern in the reports, which is why the actions around culture are so important. I have touched on the importance of ensuring that we have more permanent staffing, which we have se...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Skye House

I have set out very clearly in my statement, as I have set out directly to the chief executive, my expectations of the health board. I understand that it fully appreciates my perspective on the matter and the perspective of families on what is required. It is important to note...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Skye House

The introduction of a dedicated care manager role at Skye house will give each family a clear, consistent point of contact throughout admission. The care manager will also be able to co-ordinate care more broadly. I am pleased to note the positive feedback from families in tha...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Skye House

I am confident that the health board has a full understanding of the message that is clearly implied in the reports about the link between culture and staffing, and the importance of ensuring that the positions at Skye house are permanent positions. That is reflected in the in...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Skye House

I thank Ms Gallacher for her question, for her resolute campaigning on these matters and for consistently working to represent the interests of her constituents and those who have been affected.It is of the utmost importance to me and the Government that we provide assurance a...

The Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing (Tom Arthur) SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Skye House

My statement follows the joint Healthcare Improvement Scotland and Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland report on Skye house, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s regional adolescent in-patient mental health unit.Following the BBC “Disclosure” documentary on Skye house, which air...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Social Care Packages

I thank Clare Adamson for bringing the circumstances of her constituent to the attention of Parliament. I am deeply sorry to hear about the circumstances that she has described, and I offer my sympathies and thoughts to her constituent for the distress that that has caused.Loc...

The Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing (Tom Arthur) SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Social Care Packages

The Scottish Government expects integration joint boards to safeguard vulnerable people affected by any change to their care package. It is their duty to strategically plan the delivery of integrated health and social care provision and to adhere to national health and social ...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund

I recognise Mr Adam’s long-standing interest in this area. He is absolutely correct that venues such as the Tannahill centre provide essential services and amenities that are well used by local communities. The installation of the changing places toilet will make a huge differ...

The Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing (Tom Arthur) SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund

In December, I confirmed awards from the changing places toilets fund totalling £4.7 million for 59 projects across Scotland. On 20 February, a further £2.3 million was approved for 25 projects, which brought the total figure for awards to more than £7 million for 84 projects....

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Social Care Workers

I recognise the significant contribution that unpaid carers make. There are an estimated 800,000 unpaid carers in Scotland. If we sought to quantify their contribution in financial terms, it would come to approximately £13 billion.I recognise that decisions that have been take...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Social Care Workers

I recognise the constructive approach that the Liberal Democrats took to engagement with the Scottish Government during the budget process with regard to social care. As I touched on in my response to Mr Rowley, we are engaging with providers, those who work directly in social...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Social Care Workers

It is important that we have a coherent and joined-up approach. I hope that the member recognises that the budget that the Parliament has agreed to—without the Conservative Party’s support, I note—provides a significant funding uplift for not only health and social care but co...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Social Care Workers

I recognise that Mr Gibson holds a particular constituency interest in the impact of the UK Government’s decisions. As I touched on in my previous responses, we face a serious, considered and continuing set of fiscal and economic pressures with which households, businesses and...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Social Care Workers

I thank Mr Rowley for his question and his tone. As always, he approaches these matters in a thoughtful, considered and constructive way.We recognise that need, which is why we are uplifting support for payment of the real living wage. The budget also contains provisions to en...

The Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing (Tom Arthur) SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Social Care Workers

The Scottish Government is taking forward a range of actions to address the social care workforce shortage, including investing more than £1.1 billion annually to support the real living wage, funding national recruitment platforms such as caretocare.scot, funding free vacancy...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership

I thank the member for raising those important issues. The first point to highlight is that we recognise that social care is under significant pressure in Scotland, just as it is elsewhere in the United Kingdom. That is why there is an uplift in funding for social care in the ...

The Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing (Tom Arthur) SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership

Scottish Government ministers and officials meet regularly with representatives of health and social care partnerships. A Scottish Government official met the chief officer of Renfrewshire health and social care partnership on 17 February this year, when local financial pressu...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

26 Feb 2026

General Question Time · Dyslexia Assessments for Adults (Free Provision Pathway)

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all children, young people and adults with dyslexia receive appropriate support to reach their full potential. The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills asked Janie McManus to conduct a short, sharp review of additiona...

The Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing (Tom Arthur) SNP Chamber

26 Feb 2026

General Question Time · Dyslexia Assessments for Adults (Free Provision Pathway)

As part of building a fairer, more inclusive Scotland, the Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all children, young people and adults with dyslexia receive the support that they need to reach their full potential. There are clear duties on education authorities to...

Tom Arthur SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:That is a really important point, which I engaged with directly through my previous portfolio as the Minister for Employment and Investment. The committee will fully appreciate that employment law is a reserved matter, but we have certainly sought to engage constructively wit...

Tom Arthur SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:That is an important point, which speaks to the need for the work that we mentioned to increase awareness and to ensure that everyone who works in our public services is equipped to respond appropriately, compassionately and sensitively to individuals, irrespective of what th...

Tom Arthur SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:In answering that question, it is important that I recognise—this also applies to your previous question—that significant work still needs to be undertaken in responding to the challenges that are before us. As Robby Steel said, there has been a societal shift whereby we are ...

Tom Arthur SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:That gets to the heart of the work of the cross-sector task force, which Georgia is heavily involved in. Georgia, can you give more information about the review of the implementation of the specification, and the work that the task force has undertaken since then?

Tom Arthur SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:That is a really good question. I think that there is something to be said, so I will offer some thoughts and ask Robby Steel to come in with his perspective.We touched earlier on the unprecedented and unforeseen growth in demand. The significant increase in awareness and the...

Tom Arthur SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:Regarding the report from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, I attended the launch event in the Parliament and have met with RCP representatives on multiple occasions. I also responded to a members’ business debate in the name of Daniel Johnson and may even have responded to...

Tom Arthur SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:I would appreciate it if you could write to me and furnish me with a bit more detail on that specific instance. I give an undertaking that I will respond to you personally and will investigate the matter. Of course, I recognise the autonomy of local authorities as education a...

Tom Arthur SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:I have always sought to make it clear that Government ministers hugely value the contribution of lived experience, and I recognise that the committee does as well. I and colleagues and officials in Government have engaged several times with many of the individuals and organis...

Tom Arthur SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:Those are very important points. I will ask Robby to come in, but first I reiterate the point about situations in which assessment and diagnosis are undertaken by someone acting in a private capacity who also works in the NHS naturally leading to the kind of comments that you...

Tom Arthur SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:In terms of principle and policy, the challenge is around implementation. Considering the new developmental specification for children and young people goes back a number of years. We had a specific joint review with COSLA on implementation, which led to the task force. That ...

Tom Arthur SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:I am happy to come back on that, given that I am the politician sitting at the end of the table.Committee members will be familiar with the issue of assurance in relation to any assessments that are undertaken outwith the NHS, because of the evidence that I imagine will come ...

Tom Arthur SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:I go back to my earlier points about our work with NAIT and what we are doing to take forward its recommendations across health boards. It might be useful if I invite Robby Steel to offer a few thoughts and reflections on the broader question of diagnosis and the important ro...

Tom Arthur SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:I thank Ms Chapman for her important question, which highlights that providing services and investing in ensuring that they are available are one thing, but ensuring that people are aware of and know how to access them is another thing entirely.There has been work on raising ...

Tom Arthur SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:I highlight at the outset that I very much recognise the importance of assessment and diagnosis to identity and validation and particularly with reference to ADHD, where diagnosis is required in some cases to ensure that the most appropriate treatment—and, specifically, medic...

Tom Arthur SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:I appreciate that that area is of significant interest to the committee, particularly given the evidence that I know you have taken over recent weeks. Similarly, it was obviously an area of significant interest to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee.I point to two pie...

The Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing (Tom Arthur) SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

Good morning, convener, and thank you to you and to the committee for the opportunity to contribute to this important inquiry. I welcome the committee’s focus on the lived experience of neurodivergent people in education, criminal justice and the workplace, which are areas tha...

Tom Arthur SNP Chamber

17 Feb 2026

Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2026

Mr Stewart makes a constructive and helpful suggestion, and I am happy to commit to take it forward. Implicit in his point is the recognition that, although it is one thing to have excellent resources and to acknowledge that they are being utilised, it is another to ensure tha...