Meeting of the Parliament 19 March 2026 [Draft]
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-society, response. Our current systems are designed for 1 to 2 per cent of the population, but potentially as much as 20 per cent of the population requires support. That requires a needs-based approach.
I fully understand that, in addressing need, assessment and diagnosis can be vitally important for identity and validation and, specifically for those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, for access to medication. I recognise the importance of that and I have been seeking to work constructively with parliamentary colleagues through the two summits that have been convened. I hope that that will build momentum so that whoever forms the next Administration after the election can build on that work and utilise the additional resources that have been provided in the budget that was recently passed.