Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 25 March 2026 [Draft]
25 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
First Minister’s Question Time
Children (Assaults in Hospitals)
I am horrified by any suggestion that children have been assaulted while in hospital. I expect health boards to work closely with Police Scotland to keep patients, particularly children, safe. The national guidance for child protection in Scotland makes it clear that all concerns that a child has been abused or is at risk of abuse must be reported to the police or social work. I have asked the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to write to all health boards to express our clear concerns and to ask what has been done to support the safeguarding of children and young people while in their care.
In the same item of business
5. Pam Gosal (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to research by Women’s Rights Network Scotland reportedly showing that some children hav...
The First Minister (John Swinney)
SNP
I am horrified by any suggestion that children have been assaulted while in hospital. I expect health boards to work closely with Police Scotland to keep pat...
Pam Gosal
Con
Hospitals should be a safe space for everyone, but new findings from Women’s Rights Network Scotland reveal the grim reality that patients, including childre...
The First Minister
SNP
Any form of abuse of that nature is completely abhorrent. I expect health boards to work closely with Police Scotland and to uphold their legal duties as emp...
Katy Clark (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
A 13-year-old girl was sexually assaulted at Crosshouse hospital, and a 13-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl were assaulted at Stobhill hospital. Given th...
The First Minister
SNP
Yes, I agree with that point. In August, the Government published a sexual harassment guide to supplement the bullying and harassment and the gender-based vi...