Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 11 March 2026 [Draft]
11 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Skye House
I thank the minister for advance sight of his statement and, more importantly, for the way in which he has approached the issue—not only meeting me but meeting families—because it is a real and serious issue.
I first raised the issue of Skye house in the chamber almost a year ago. Although I welcome the steps that are now being taken to listen to families and improve services, systemic issues remain. When I raised the issue of the BBC documentary, I revealed that the Government was aware as far back as June 2023 of the abuse that young people were experiencing. I believe that that is yet to be investigated as part of the wider concerns.
I continue to work with affected families because their concerns have not been properly addressed. One family has exhausted every avenue in trying to hold the system accountable for the trauma that their daughter has endured.
An independent review of their case was commissioned, but, when the report was finally published, it was the parents, rather than the professionals who were involved, who were portrayed as the problem. Too often, when families speak up, they are dismissed, ignored or made to feel as though they are the obstacle to change.
My experience in supporting that family points to a culture of closed ranks in parts of our health and social care system. When systems close in on themselves, instead of protecting the most vulnerable, public trust is inevitably eroded.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a statement by Tom Arthur on Skye house: progress and assurance. I ask members who are leaving the chamber to do so quickly and ...
The Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing (Tom Arthur)
SNP
My statement follows the joint Healthcare Improvement Scotland and Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland report on Skye house, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The minister will now take questions on the issues raised in his statement. I invite those members who wish to ask a question to press their request-to-speak...
Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
I thank the minister for advance sight of his statement and, more importantly, for the way in which he has approached the issue—not only meeting me but meeti...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
We need a question, Ms Gallacher.
Meghan Gallacher
Con
Does the minister support the creation of a new national whistleblowing officer for the national health service and the social care sector who will deliver i...
Tom Arthur
SNP
I thank Ms Gallacher for her question, for her resolute campaigning on these matters and for consistently working to represent the interests of her constitue...
Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the minister for his statement, and I again express my admiration for the brave children and young adults who spoke out about their treatment at Skye...
Tom Arthur
SNP
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 staffi...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
I would call Rona Mackay, but she seems to be busy.
Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)
SNP
Apologies, Presiding Officer.It is crucial that anyone who enters Skye house, and their family, have confidence in their care and support. How does the minis...
Tom Arthur
SNP
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 man...
Roz McCall (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I place on record my acknowledgement of the fight of young people and families to get us to this point. They deserve so much better. The statement says that ...
Tom Arthur
SNP
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 ful...
Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
A common thread throughout all the reports, as well as conversations in wider society, is the importance of a respectful culture when discussing or working i...
Tom Arthur
SNP
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 cultu...
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
The minister notes the need for national improvements to better support young people in units across Scotland and for robust governance and oversight. Althou...
Tom Arthur
SNP
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 ...
Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
The comprehensive training of staff working in services such as Skye house is essential to supporting patients. I ask, as a former clinical nurse educator fo...
Tom Arthur
SNP
As Emma Harper will appreciate, responsibility for ensuring that staff are fully and appropriately trained lies with individual NHS boards. Operational workf...
Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green)
Green
The inspection report highlighted that the social work post at Skye house has been vacant for around three years. It is unclear whether there are plans to re...
Tom Arthur
SNP
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...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
We have an inspection regime for a reason—to pick up on deficiencies in practice and care—yet there were no inspections at Skye house between 2017 and 2024. ...
Tom Arthur
SNP
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 apprecia...
Elena Whitham (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP)
SNP
In the light of the concerns that have been expressed by young people and their families that those with co-occurring neurodivergence, or those who are livin...
Tom Arthur
SNP
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 ...
Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I welcome the national in-patient service specification; it was something that I tried to progress as part of the bill that became the Health and Care (Staff...
Tom Arthur
SNP
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...
Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP)
SNP
Although the report by HIS and the MWC is specific to Skye house, does the minister agree that it is important to consider any lessons for improving access t...
Tom Arthur
SNP
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...