Health and wellbeing – Page 34 – The NEN

Holyrood Committee calls for urgent national action to improve ADHD and autism assessment and support

The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee published its report today into Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism pathways and support.

The Committee calls for urgent action to deliver a national plan that ensures autistic people and people with ADHD can access clear, consistent pathways to support across every health board in Scotland.

The Committee welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment to accept the recommendations in the National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT) Adult Neurodevelopmental Pathways report.

It also notes the Scottish Government’s intention to review implementation of the National Neurodevelopmental Specification for Children and Young People through its new task force.

The Committee expresses concern that many people wait years for neurodevelopmental assessments and that some health board areas have closed waiting lists. It emphasises that long waits harm individuals and may prevent people from making a full contribution to society.

The unprecedented demand for neurodevelopmental assessment is recognised by the Committee and the need to put certain thresholds in place before a referral is made. But the Committee warns that this approach can be seen as gatekeeping and can cause delays to accessing assessments and support.

The report further highlights evidence that long waiting times can push people into crisis, which can increase complexity of the support needed and put additional pressure on services. It calls on the Scottish Government to work with health boards to deliver a shift towards early, progressive support, in line with the principles of the Population Health Framework.

The Committee also heard evidence that long NHS waiting times can push people towards private diagnosis at significant cost, risking a two-tier system.

The Committee calls for a comprehensive review of assessment processes across all areas, leading to a National Standard that guarantees consistency, responsiveness and support across Scotland.

Given current waiting times, the Committee calls for consistent high-quality communication with people on waiting lists, including accurate, supportive, up-to-date and neuro-affirming information that meets the needs of each individual.

Countering claims that neurodevelopmental conditions are subject to over-diagnosis, the report instead notes evidence that rising demand for assessments reflects historic under-diagnosis and improved understanding of these conditions. The report recognises that diagnosis can validate lived experience and help people access adjustments, support and medication if needed.

While the Committee welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment that diagnosis should not be a prerequisite for support, it remains concerned that, for many individuals, the lack of a formal diagnosis can create a barrier to accessing support. The Committee calls on the Scottish Government to set out actions to prevent diagnosis status becoming an artificial barrier to receiving support.

To improve fairness and consistency, the Committee calls for a plan to deliver mandatory training for everyone involved in making referrals to neurodevelopmental pathways and all health and social care staff in patient-facing roles.

The Committee supports a whole systems approach across health, social care, education and other sectors to improve awareness, reduce stigma and strengthen support for those with neurodevelopmental conditions.

It calls on the Scottish Government to set out what it is doing to advance whole society action, including workforce planning, funding distribution that supports integration, inclusive education, support for families with multiple neurodivergent members, and stronger collaboration across public services.

On publication of the report, Clare Haughey MSP, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee said: “Our inquiry has shone a light on the myriad issues those with neurodevelopmental conditions face in accessing and receiving support from Scotland’s NHS.

“We acknowledge the huge rise in demand for assessment and diagnosis and the huge pressure this places on services. But we are concerned that inconsistent care pathways and a lack of support can leave some feeling isolated and unable to access the support they need.

“We are concerned to have heard evidence of long waits for assessments or closed waiting lists, meaning some individuals are unable to access support due to where they live or because they haven’t been diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental condition. It’s clear things need to improve.

“We’re calling for urgent delivery of a national plan so that autistic people and/or people with ADHD are able to access clear, consistent pathways to support regardless of where they live in Scotland.

“We’re also calling on the Scottish Government and health boards to work together to undertake a comprehensive review of the assessment process in order to introduce a National Standard for assessments that guarantees consistency and quality of access throughout Scotland.

“Our Committee wants to see a whole systems and whole society approach to ensure autistic people and/or people with ADHD can access equitable and timely pathways to assessment, treatment and support across Scotland.

“Thank you to all of the individuals who shared their personal experiences of ADHD and autism with us and helped inform our inquiry.”

Other findings in the report:

The report also stresses the need for consistent national data on referrals and waiting times. The Committee calls for steps to enable routine quarterly reporting of data on referrals and waiting times for autism and ADHD, underpinned by national guidance, and for longer-term work to culminate in a comprehensive dashboard.
The Committee pays tribute to third sector organisations that support people who have not received, or are waiting for, diagnosis. It welcomes ongoing commitments such as the Autistic Adult Support Fund and calls for clearer plans to place third sector funding on a sustainable long-term footing.

Both ADHD and autism are neurodevelopmental conditions.

ADHD is characterised by a group of symptoms that includes difficulty in concentrating, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour. It affects around 5% of school-aged children, and between 2.5% and 4% of adults.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental condition that affects the way a person communicates, interacts and processes information.

It is often characterised by social and communication difficulties and by repetitive behaviours. Current estimates indicate about 1 in 34 people are autistic, just under 3% of the population.

Academics gather to celebrate career of Edinburgh professor

Endowed Chair of Rheumatology retires from University of Edinburgh

Professor Stuart Ralston retired from his position as Arthritis UK’s Endowed Chair of Rheumatology at the University of Edinburgh and a Festschrift event was held in his honour (January 29).

Professor Ralston has had a decorated career in rheumatology, including holding the position as Arthritis UK’s Endowed Chair for over 20 years. His research focused on the management of bone and joint disease, with a special interest in Paget’s disease.

Professor Ralston’s research has benefitted patients and influenced policy. His medical education contributions have benefitted students globally and his contribution to medicines regulation has saved many lives, notably through his oversight of emergency approval of COVID-19 vaccines as chair of the Commission on Human Medicines.

He was recently (December 2025) duly recognised for these contributions by being awarded the Royal Society of Edinburgh Sir James Black Medal.

Professor Ralston said: “A highlight of my career has been the work in Paget’s disease of the bone, looking at the genetic basis of the condition and doing clinical trials to establish optimal treatment strategies.

“I’ve also enjoyed bringing in new people and seeing them make their own way over the years. It’s been a privilege. I have been lucky to reach the top of my profession.

“While I will be sad to leave, I have still got some outstanding projects to finish off during my retirement and am looking forward to having more time to spend with my family and friends.”

To commemorate his achievements Professor Ralston attended a Festschrift event, where his closest colleagues and collaborators gathered to share warm remarks and celebrate his contributions to the field.

Arthritis UK’s Head of Research Strategy, Sarah Rudkin, attended the event and said: “Professor Ralston has led the field on the molecular and genetic basis of osteoporosis and Paget’s disease for the benefit of people living with these conditions.

“We greatly value his long-standing relationship with Arthritis UK and the varied contributions that he has made to the work of the charity. It’s been a privilege to support him throughout his professional endeavours, and we wish him a joyful retirement.”

Professor Cosimo de Bari, specialist in osteoarthritis and stem cell therapies, has been appointed the new Arthritis UK Endowed Chair of Rheumatology.

Deborah Alsina MBE, Arthritis UK Chief Executive, said: “The position of Endowed Chair at Edinburgh was established to create a nucleus for rheumatology research.

“Professor Ralston’s work has been a testament to our joint commitment to expanding knowledge, improving practice and bettering the lives of those who live who live with these often-debilitating conditions.

“It has been an honour to endorse his successes from his pivotal research developments and clinical trials to his PhD mentorships. He has truly been instrumental in defining the contemporary landscape of rheumatology.

“We are delighted to welcome Professor Cosimo de Bari to this prestigious position and are eager to support him as we journey together towards a cure.”

Professor David Argyle, Head of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, said: “Established nearly 50 years ago, the Endowed Chair recognises the University’s long-standing excellence in the field of rheumatology.

“Professor Ralston has been central to this endeavour, advancing research to improve patient outcomes worldwide.

“As we celebrate his achievements and bid him a congratulatory farewell, we are equally thrilled to welcome Professor Cosimo de Bari to the position, and look forward to continuing our valued partnership with Arthritis UK to champion innovative research.”

First Scottish patient enters ground-breaking lung cancer clinical trial

The first patient in Scotland recruited to a major research study has described it as “the light at the end of the tunnel” after he was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer last year.

The TOURIST PRINCE trial is part of the world’s largest clinical trial using radiotherapy in the treatment of metastatic lung cancer, funded by a £3.4m grant from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The trial is looking at whether modern radiotherapy treatments can improve outcomes for patients with stage IV disease, who often have a poor prognosis and typically have about a year to live.

PRINCE is part of the wider TOURIST trial platform which is sponsored by The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester and managed by Southampton Clinical Trials Unit.

81-year-old great-grandfather Robert Brown, a retired managing director from Glasgow, was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the summer of 2025. He said: “At the beginning of July, I had a cough which lasted for six weeks before I went to see the GP. He jumped on it right away and sent me for an X-ray at the New Victoria Hospital and it was then that I was diagnosed with lung cancer.

“I’ve had a decent life and lived pretty healthily for 81 years, so I suppose it’s just life, isn’t it? But when the team at the hospital told me about the trial and asked if I’d consider taking part, I went straight on to it. It’s the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Lung cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in the UK, but is the biggest cancer killer, accounting for 21% of cancer deaths annually.

Between 85 and 90 per cent of cases diagnosed are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and nearly half of these cancers are diagnosed at a late stage when the disease has spread and is incurable, meaning treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and extending life, rather than curing patients.

TOURIST is the first trial in 20 years to look at how radiotherapy could benefit late-stage metastatic lung cancer patients.

It uses a technique called ‘VMAT’ (volumetric modulated arc therapy) which is a form of radiotherapy that uses multiple beams of varying strengths to treat cancer. A device called a linear accelerator (LINAC) delivers high-energy beams while rotating around the patient to treat the tumours.

Professor Matthew Hatton, Honorary Professor of Clinical Oncology at The University of Sheffield, who is the chief investigator for the TOURIST PRINCE trial, said: “Giving the radiotherapy in this way makes it very accurate, shortens the treatment time, and uses a lower overall dose of radiation.

“It means more cancer cells can be killed while also sparing healthy tissue around the organ. Previously this machine has only been used to treat patients with early-stage cancer that has not spread, but we are hoping to show that it could also have benefits for those with late-stage disease. If successful, this trial could change global clinical practice for treating advanced lung cancer.”

Robert, who has been married to his wife Caroline for 56 years and has two children, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren, said: “Being on the trial has been okay for me, I’ve had no issues so far.

“I am still keeping myself fit and strong, and despite my treatment I’m even continuing to go jogging. It feels good to be part of the trial and part of research. Research has got to help.”

The PRINCE trial is aiming to recruit 472 patients newly diagnosed with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer at hospitals across the UK. It first opened to recruitment in autumn 2024, but Robert is the first patient in Scotland to take part.

Lucy Badesha is a Senior Research Nurse at the New Victoria Hospital in Glasgow. She said: “As a satellite site of the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, part of our mission at the New Victoria Hospital is to offer clinical trials to patients who may not be able to access them otherwise.

“We were delighted to hear that we had recruited the first TOURIST PRINCE participant in Scotland, and we hope to be able to continue to offer participation in this and other life-changing cancer clinical trials to patients living on the south side of Glasgow.”

PRINCE is one of two trials currently recruiting patients in the TOURIST platform, which has been set up to see if radiotherapy, alongside other treatments, improves outcomes and quality of life for lung cancer patients.

Nicky Downs, Senior Trial Manager for the TOURIST trial platform at the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, said: “It is wonderful to see the first patient recruited to the PRINCE trial in Scotland, and we are so grateful to Robert, and to all the other patients who have agreed to take part in TOURIST, for helping further our research into this awful disease.

“We hope to be able to expand the platform in the coming months with new trials, allowing us to include even more patients, understand the disease better, and learn how we can control patients’ symptoms and improve survival.”

Dr David Woolf, consultant oncologist at The Christie and is the joint chief investigator for the TOURIST platform, said: “The TOURIST trials represent a huge shift in the way we potentially treat lung cancer patients and could bring additional benefit to patients undergoing their standard treatments in the future.

“This is the first time we have delivered a trial in radiotherapy for stage IV NSCLC patients for two decades and techniques have advanced massively in that time. We therefore hope to provide enough evidence to change clinical practice globally, which could help up to a million people a year worldwide.”

Professor Anthony Gordon, Director of NIHR’s Health Technology Assessment Programme, said: “Living with late-stage lung cancer is difficult and challenging for patients and their families.

“This important trial demonstrates innovation by harnessing the latest radiotherapy treatments aiming to improve care for people with this disease to help ease their symptoms and improve outcomes and life expectancy.

“This trial demonstrates NIHR’s mission to drive life-changing research for the health and wealth of our society and ensuring more people can get involved in research. Our aim is to help new treatments reach patients earlier, helping them lead healthier and happier lives, while reducing the burden on the NHS.”

Additional investment for neurodevelopmental support

Increased funding to support children and families

Children, young people and their families will benefit from £3.4 million of additional investment to improve access to neurodevelopmental support.

This brings investment in neurodevelopmental supports and services this year to more than £5 million, providing earlier help for families and ensuring people can access support that meets their needs.

More than £1 million is intended to directly support families, including providing access to digital support on neurodevelopmental conditions – including autism and ADHD. A successful hub model developed in Edinburgh will also be expanded to Tayside, bringing together health, education and third sector support for families in one place.

The investment will also help improve services, including testing new approaches to neurodevelopmental assessment and ADHD support for young adults.

Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing Tom Arthur said: “I am determined to drive real, meaningful improvements and deliver the best possible outcomes for neurodivergent people. Demand for neurodevelopmental support and diagnosis has increased significantly in recent years, both in Scotland and globally.

“This additional £3.4 million will improve the help available to families – providing better information, practical support and access to services in their communities. This funding will create the groundwork for additional investment in the future – as proposed in our Budget for next year.

“We want to ensure that children, young people and their families can access the support they need, regardless of where they are on their neurodevelopmental journey.

“A diagnosis is just one part of someone’s experience. What matters most is that people get the right support at the right time, and this funding will help make that happen.”

The investment builds on the additional £500,000 funding announced in June 2025, bringing the total additional investment to £3.9 million in 2025-26.

Funding is being made available for a range of projects, including:

supplementing health board assessment capacity, particularly for young people approaching transition to adult services
providing digital support to 1,000 families through the EPIC Think Learn platform
extending the Yard’s Edinburgh Disability and Neurodevelopment Hub model to Tayside, bringing together support from health, education and third sector services
testing holistic approaches to assessment and support with a new neurodevelopmental research clinic with the University of Glasgow
work to develop and test digital support tools for ADHD for young adults
continuing the Fife children and young people’s neurodevelopmental test of change
and work to better understand support needs of children and young people on health board waiting lists and assist connection of families with local support

Neurodevelopmental conditions include autism and ADHD.

New: Men’s Open Group at North Edinburgh Arts

FORTNIGHTLY – THURSDAYS FROM 6 – 8pm

FIRST SESSION IS ON THURSDAY 5 FEBRUARY

A new bi-weekly group for men is starting at North Edinburgh Arts.

A fortnightly group for men to meet and share what’s going on in their lives in a safe, respectful and non-clinical space.

All conversations are confidential, and the group is supported by local volunteers.

First session will take place on Thursday 5 February at 6pm, and then fortnightly.

For more information, please email: smvwalters@gmail.com

Scottish Parliament team up with St John Scotland to install new Public Access Defibrillator at Holyrood

The Scottish Parliament has installed a new Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) outside the public entrance to the Parliament building.

The installation is a collaboration between The Scottish Parliament and St John Scotland.

Every year, over 3000 people in Scotland suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, an event which is fatal unless CPR and defibrillation are started by bystanders within minutes.

The installation provides 24 /7 access for the public 365 days a year to the PAD.

The Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament said: “We’re pleased to partner with St John Scotland to give the public access to a defibrillator outside the Parliament building.

“Evidence shows the chances of survival from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest can be increased two-to-threefold by the immediate provision of bystander CPR and defibrillation so this is a very positive step which can help save lives.”

Barri Millar, Chief Operating Officer, St John Scotland said: “St John Scotland is proud to support the Scottish Parliament with a new Public Access Defibrillator. We are committed to strengthening community resilience across Scotland and ensuring lifesaving equipment is accessible in every community.

“Together with our ‘Save a Life for Scotland’ partners, we continue to expand CPR awareness and increase access to defibrillators — helping save lives across the country.”

Letters: Tinnitus Week

Dear Editor,

As we mark Tinnitus Week (2 – 8 February), we know that for many people with tinnitus, it’s not just a hum in the background, but something that can make everyday life a challenge.

Despite tinnitus being more common than most people realise with one in seven adults experiencing it, too many are still left confused, worried or unsure of where to turn for help. Through our new research, two thirds (66%) of people with tinnitus told us it can impact their stress levels, while half (51%) said it makes them feel anxious or overwhelmed.

Thankfully with the right support, lots of people can live well with tinnitus. There are many practical ways to manage each person’s needs, such as talking therapies, hearing aids, or mindfulness.

No one should face tinnitus alone. If you’re finding your tinnitus difficult to manage or you’re worried about someone close to you, we’re here to help. RNID’s free online tinnitus guide at rnid.org.uk/tinnitus offers plenty of helpful information, practical tips and advice to help you live a good, balanced life with tinnitus.

Sincerely,

Franki Oliver

Audiology Manager at RNID

Together We Can: Public Health Scotland’s new 10-year strategy

Public Health Scotland (PHS) has published its new 10-year strategy, Together We Can, setting out a clear and ambitious direction for improving and protecting the health and wellbeing of people across Scotland.

Scotland continues to face significant and urgent public health challenges. Too many people experience preventable ill health, and the gap in life expectancy between the most and least deprived communities remains far too wide. These pressures not only affect individuals and communities but also place increasing strain on health and public services across the country.

Together We Can responds directly to these challenges. Our strategy provides a focused, evidence-based framework to bring national and local partners together around a shared purpose: improving life expectancy and narrowing health inequalities across the next decade.

It sets out the practical steps PHS will take, and describes how collective action across Scotland’s public, third, and private sectors will be essential to achieving the scale of change required.

Developed with extensive input from PHS staff, Board members, partners and stakeholders, the strategy reflects the insight, ambition and experience of people working across Scotland’s health and care system and beyond. Their contributions have shaped a direction that is both bold and deliverable.

At the heart of the strategy are five drivers for change that will guide Scotland’s approach to improving public health over the coming decade:

Building a prevention-focused system
Improving social and economic conditions
Strengthening places and communities
Enabling healthy living
Providing equitable access to health and care

These drivers structure the actions PHS will take and set a clear foundation for how the organisation will work with partners to improve outcomes for people and communities.

Ally Boyle, Chair of Public Health Scotland, said: “Scotland faces urgent public health challenges, from preventable ill health to deep rooted inequalities. Our strategy, Together We Can, sets out a clear ambition to tackle these challenges and improve health for everyone over the next decade.

“Across every pillar of public health, we’ve been challenged to deliver real, measurable improvement over the next decade – and that is exactly what we intend to do.

“We’ll achieve this by connecting people, ideas and experience, and by shaping a culture that values collaboration, creating the conditions where our shared ambition becomes real and lasting, and positive change is delivered for the people of Scotland.”

Paul Johnston, Chief Executive of Public Health Scotland, said: “Together We Can sets out a bold and hopeful vision for the next decade, which shows how we will work to improve and protect the health of people in Scotland. It provides a focused, evidence-driven direction not just for Public Health Scotland, but for the nationwide effort needed to create meaningful, lasting change.

“We know that no single organisation can shift Scotland’s health outcomes on its own. Real progress depends on working side by side with our partners across national and local government, the NHS, the third sector and communities everywhere. Therefore, this strategy is a shared commitment – one we will deliver collaboratively, drawing on the strengths and experiences of people and organisations across the country.

“Together, we can improve life expectancy, narrow inequalities and create a fairer, healthier Scotland for everyone.”

Public Health Scotland will continue to engage with partners, communities and staff to ensure the strategy leads to real improvements across Scotland.

Local government umbrella body Cosla commented:

Find out more and view our new 10-year strategy Together We Can on the PHS website.

together-we-can_our-10-year-strategy-to-2035_Download

‘Nothing’s Changed? Everything’s Changed. It’s Worse’

UK Poverty 2026: The essential guide to understanding poverty in the UK

This report sets out the nature of poverty in the UK, and evaluates changes under the last Conservative-led Government.

It also sets out the scale of action necessary for the current Government to deliver the change it has promised.

Today, we’ve launched our annual state of the nation report, UK Poverty 2026. The report, which accounts for the time just before the current government took power and clearly shows the depth of the problem and the scale of the challenge.

Some of the key findings of the report include:

More than one in five people in the UK, around 14.2 million, were living in poverty.
Britain’s poorest are getting poorer: 6.8 million people are now living in very deep poverty, almost half of everyone in poverty, the highest level on record.
Poverty has hardened, not eased: the average person in poverty now lives 29% below the poverty line, compared with 23% in the mid-1990s.
Child poverty has climbed again: 4.5 million children are in poverty, rising for the third year in a row.
Hunger is spreading fast: 1.1 million more people in poverty cannot afford enough food than two years ago bringing the total to 3.5 million, while 2.8 million more people overall are now food insecure bringing the total to 7.5 million.
Work doesn’t guarantee security: around two-thirds of working-age adults in poverty, 5.4 million people, live in households where someone is in work.
New JRF analysis shows that, under central Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) projections, the headline poverty rate will remain broadly unchanged (21.3% to 21.1%) between 2026 and 2029.
Current policies will see little progress towards meeting the government’s manifesto commitment to end the mass dependence on food banks.

People in very deep poverty now make up the biggest group of people in poverty, at 6.8 million people.

This is unacceptable for the fifth richest country in the world, and it has consequences.

Overall poverty rates have flatlined since 2005/06 at just over a fifth. The longer a family spends in poverty, the worse the effects on that family.

The longer we tolerate unacceptably high levels of poverty, the worse it is for our country.

THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW.

We found that Britain’s poorest people are getting poorer. And poverty is hardening, not easing.

Almost 1/2 of all people in poverty in very deep poverty
More than 1/4 disabled people living in poverty
Around 2/3 of working-age adults in poverty live in a household where someone is in work

Feelings of frustration – and the need for urgent action – were evident

The lives behind the numbers — unacceptably tough, and getting harder

With a foreward from our Grassroots Poverty Action Group (GPAG), this report speaks to some of the policies that would lift hundreds of thousands of children, disabled people and other families out of poverty.

It can be done, and it has been done before. The alternative is a reality that feels harder to thrive in.

UK Poverty 2026 – the essential guide to understanding poverty in the UK Download

The State and Future of Social Work and Social Care Funding in Scotland

Social Work Scotland is a membership organisation which represents social workers and other professionals who lead and support social work across all sectors.

In October 2025, after reports of reductions to SDS personal budgets (options 1 direct payments), Social Work Scotland facilitated two separate surveys for disabled people and carers and social workers.

Survey analysis was completed by Three Sisters Consultancy (disabled people and carers) and Dr Gillian MacIntyre and Dr Ailsa E Stewart (social workers).

In addition, Social Work Scotland are proud to publish a bridging paper collating both perspectives to discuss the state and future of social work and social care in Scotland, and pleased to be able to bring lived experience and workforce voices together.

This report is published alongside two complementary research studies: one capturing the lived experience of people who draw on social work and social care support, and another exploring the experiences of social workers operating within the current system.

Its purpose is to connect these perspectives – to show how funding decisions, governance arrangements, and policy choices shape both what people experience and what practitioners are asked to do.

By bringing lived experience, workforce reality, and financial analysis into the same frame, this paper aims to support informed, constructive discussion about how Scotland can build a more sustainable, rights-based, and trusted system of care and support. It is intended as a contribution to collective problem-solving, not an attribution of blame to individuals or organisations working within significant structural constraints.

For further details on Social Work Scotland visit the organisation’s website

Report 1: The State and Future of Social Work and Social Care in Scotland Part 1 (written by Laura Kerr, Head of Policy and Workforce, Social Work Scotland)

Report 2: Impacts of SDS budget reductions on social workers – Survey analysis (written by Dr Gillian MacIntyre and Dr Ailsa E Stewart)

Report 3: Impacts of SDS budget reductions on disabled people and unpaid carers – Survey analysis (written by Rhiann McLean Three Sisters Consultancy)

Report-1_The-State-and-Future-of-Social-Work-and-Social-Care-Funding-in-Scotland-Part-1_Social-Work-Scotland_26.01.26 Download

COSLA has responded to Social Work Scotland’s research on The State and Future of Social Work and Social Care Funding in Scotland.

COSLA’s Health & Social Care Spokesperson Councillor Paul Kelly said: “This report serves as a collective call to action for meaningful and sustainable change in social work and social care in Scotland, to deliver the system we aspire to have; one centred around human rights and dignity, where both the people delivering and accessing support feel valued. I offer Local Government’s commitment to work with partners on realising change.

“Scotland’s social work and social care sector faces complex funding, policy and system challenges, and this report makes clear the impacts these can have on people, carers and frontline workers. It is deeply troubling that frontline workers talk about the moral and ethical dilemmas they face as a result of having to balance financial considerations with the care that can be delivered to citizens.

“In collectively considering the reports and working through system challenges, we cannot allow further cuts to be inflicted upon vital social care services at this pivotal time. As it currently stands, the Scottish Budget would represent a further cut to social care funding in Scotland, and risks compounding the very real system pressures which will directly impact people and communities.

“Social work and social care are essential to the fabric of Scottish society. We know that by investing in these services, and by working together to change them for the better, we can make a real difference to people’s lives, to local economies and to our communities.”