MSPs from across Scotland’s political spectrum have voiced strong support for the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland’s paper on neurodevelopmental conditions.
The paper urges action to tackle long waits, streamline assessment pathways and better support autistic people and those with ADHD
Following a motion put forward by Daniel Johnson MSP, the Scottish Parliament debated the topic on Thursday, 11 December.
The discussion focused on the College’s report, which warns that referrals for NDC assessment have surged to unprecedented levels and that current systems are struggling to cope
It sets out evidence-based proposals for coherent pathways from diagnosis through long-term support, emphasising a society-wide approach to improving services rather than patching broken structures.
Daniel Johnson MSP said the report “sets out a clear plan of what we can do now in wider policy, and in clinical action and policy, to address the issue.”
He and others stressed that the report not only describes an urgent problem but also provides practical building blocks to address it
Michelle Thomson MSP echoed this, praising the report saying: “I agree that the report is excellent. I enjoyed reading it, and I congratulate the 萝莉视频 in Scotland on its work.”
A number of MSPs emphasised that the document goes beyond restating familiar statistics on demand and waiting lists.
Instead, it lays out concrete pathways and models of care that could be funded by spending existing NHS money better - something that several members underlined as crucial if meaningful change is to follow
Conservative health spokesperson Dr Sandesh Gulhane stressed that Scotland needs a multisystem response and cannot simply expand “broken structures.”
“The Royal College has done its job; it is time for the Scottish Government to do its job,” he said, adding that the report “lays out in clear and evidence-based terms what many of us have been warning of for years.”
Meanwhile, MSP Stuart McMillan described the report as “a very important offer to all of society in Scotland.”
He said: “Healthcare professionals have provided a set of recommendations to help. They know that there is money in the NHS system that could be better invested, and the recommendations are very worthy of consideration - because they could genuinely make a huge difference for the people we are here to represent.”
In response, Tom Arthur, Minister for Public Finance, welcomed the report’s focus on multisystem reform, early intervention and support based on need rather than diagnosis alone, saying these principles “strongly echo our own approach” and reflect the perspective of professionals, families and communities, whose voices must continue to shape the way forward.
In the debate, the paper was met with support and that it offers a fresh direction for addressing neurodevelopmental needs across Scotland.
Dr Jane Morris, chair of the 萝莉视频 in Scotland, said:
"Rather than dwelling solely on the scale of waiting lists or numbers, the debate this week highlighted positive momentum towards meaningful reform, built on evidence and grounded in the everyday realities faced by neurodivergent people and their families.
"With cross-party backing and strong endorsement from mental health professionals, we are now asking the Scottish Government to turn these recommendations into rapid and concrete action."
For further information, please contact:
- Email: laura.varney@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Contact Name: Laura Varney, Senior Media Officer (Devolved Nations)