Portrait of Sandesh Gulhane

Photo © Scottish Parliament

Former Member of the Scottish Parliament

Sandesh Gulhane

Unknown party

At a glance Sandesh Gulhane was a Member of the Scottish Parliament.

Votes cast1,061
Attendance37%
Voted For429
Voted Against586

Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 2,903 Holyrood divisions on record; Sandesh Gulhane did not vote in 136.

Voting recordlatest 15 shown
Questions385 tabled

Sandesh Gulhane has tabled 385 questions in the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any increase in caseload for the Adult Disability Payment… 18 Mar 2026 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any increase in caseload for the Adult Disability Payment, particularly in regard to mental and behavioural disorders.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Government how it would assess its handling of the NHS. 11 Mar 2026 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it would assess its handling of the NHS.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs has had with the Sco… 4 Mar 2026 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs has had with the Scottish Prison Service regarding arrangements for prisoners eligible to vote in the forthcoming Scottish Parliament election.

Awaiting an answer.

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon should make a … 25 Feb 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon should make a personal statement to the Scottish Parliament about issues relating to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Answer · Neil Gray · 4 Mar 2026

Following an amendment raised by the member, this matter has already been debated in Parliament. I provided a response to this debate in the Chamber on 11 February 2026.

To ask the Scottish Government whether any hospitals have not been inspected by Healthcare Improvement Scotland in the … 25 Feb 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any hospitals have not been inspected by Healthcare Improvement Scotland in the last three years, and, if so, what assessment it has made of any risks this poses to patient safety.

Answer · Neil Gray · 5 Mar 2026

Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) has a duty to improve the quality of health care and its scrutiny activity, including its inspection programmes, is a key part of this.Since November 2021, they have implemented a Safe Delivery of Care inspection methodology approach. The scope of inspections is intelligence-led and currently excludes certain facilities, such as smaller community hospitals. For hospitals within scope, HIS utilises a risk-based, data-informed prioritisation procedure to determine inspection frequency and specific service areas for review.This broader approach is designed to provide independent assurance on the safety and quality of care delivered by NHS boards. The Safe Delivery of Care inspections are unannounced and are specifically designed to ensure an accurate and real-time assessment of care delivery.

To ask the Scottish Government on what date Healthcare Improvement Scotland last inspected Caithness General … 25 Feb 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what date Healthcare Improvement Scotland last inspected Caithness General Hospital, and whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care will order an inspection to take place if the last one took place more than three years ago.

Answer · Neil Gray · 10 Mar 2026

Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) operates independently of the Scottish Government and uses a risk based, proportionate and intelligence led approach. HIS determines inspection activity by applying a data informed prioritisation process to decide how often to inspect and which service areas require review. This strategic approach ensures resources are targeted where they are most needed. A list of inspections carried out by HIS can be found here on the HIS website: Inspections of NHS hospitals and services – Healthcare Improvement Scotland.

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent assaults in hospitals, and what assessment it has ma… 25 Feb 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent assaults in hospitals, and what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of any action it has already taken to date.

Answer · Neil Gray · 5 Mar 2026

The Scottish Government have been clear that abuse or assault in any form is unacceptable, and everyone has the right to access care or their workplace without fear.Health Boards are required to meet their legal duties to protect staff, patients and visitors. All incidents must be recorded through existing systems, fully investigated, and escalated to Police Scotland where appropriate.The national Violence and Aggression Policy for staff advocates that managers should identify risks and ensure appropriate preventative measures are in place. This has recently been refreshed under the NHS Scotland ‘Once for Scotland’ Workforce Policies Programme and is scheduled to be published week commencing 9 March 2026.Scottish Government officials continue to work closely with NHS Violence and Aggression Leads and the newly established NHS Sexual Harassment Network to gather information, share best practice, and provide ongoing assurance on the actions being taken across the system.The NHS Scotland Charter for Patient Rights and Responsibilities also makes clear that individuals may face legal action if they are abusive, violent, or aggressive towards NHS staff, other patients, their carers or visitors while using NHS services.Emergency workers are also further protected under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005. This Government has strengthened those protections by extending the Act, which originally covered ambulance workers, doctors, nurses and midwives in hospital settings or during emergency responses, to also include GPs and other doctors, nurses and midwives when delivering care in the community.

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make it a requirement for NHS boards to collect data on the nu… 25 Feb 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make it a requirement for NHS boards to collect data on the number of patients receiving corridor care in hospitals.

Answer · Neil Gray · 5 Mar 2026

We are actively considering the feasibility of a national data collection. Accurately capturing this information consistently at a national level presents complex technical and operational challenges impacted both by definitional variation as well as variation across systems in terms of physical layout, operational practice and existing recording mechanisms.Notwithstanding this consideration, our key priority remains addressing the underlying causes of high acute hospital occupancy which results in bed blocking and can lead to the provision of care in non-standard areas. That is why, through our NHS Scotland Operational Improvement Plan, we are investing £220 million to reduce high hospital occupancy, improve patient flow and optimising alternatives to hospital admission such as expanding Hospital at Home services nationally.

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Motions lodged222 lodged
Speechesfrom the Official Report

Recent things Sandesh Gulhane has said in the chamber and in committee, from the Official Report.

25 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time

I declare an interest as a practising national health service general practitioner.The adult disability payment case load is growing at an astounding rate, with 750,000 Scots expected to be in receipt of the benefit by 2030. The increase i…

25 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time (draft)

I declare an interest as a practising national health service general practitioner.The adult disability payment case load is growing at an astounding rate, with 750,000 Scots expected to be in receipt of the benefit by 2030. The increase i…

25 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any increase in case load for the adult disability payment, particularly in regard to mental and behavioural disorders. (S6O-05710)

25 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time (draft)

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any increase in case load for the adult disability payment, particularly in regard to mental and behavioural disorders. (S6O-05710)

25 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time

It has been a privilege to be here in the Scottish Parliament for the past five years. I came into politics to stand up for patients and our hard-working national health service staff, who do extraordinary work in the face of immense press…

25 Mar 2026   Portfolio Question Time (draft)

It has been a privilege to be here in the Scottish Parliament for the past five years. I came into politics to stand up for patients and our hard-working national health service staff, who do extraordinary work in the face of immense press…

19 Mar 2026   General Question Time (draft)

I declare an interest as a practising NHS GP.It is great to see the cabinet secretary back in the chamber, but he is wrong, because, during this parliamentary session, we have seen three different health secretaries, record waiting lists, …

19 Mar 2026   General Question Time (draft)

To ask the Scottish Government how it would assess its handling of the NHS. (S6O-05667)

17 Mar 2026   Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill (draft)

I wish to make a declaration of interests: I am a practising NHS general practitioner, who is registered with the General Medical Council, and a member of the British Medical Association. In addition, I chaired the medical advisory group f…

17 Mar 2026   Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

I wish to make a declaration of interests: I am a practising NHS general practitioner, who is registered with the General Medical Council, and a member of the British Medical Association. In addition, I chaired the medical advisory group f…

17 Mar 2026   Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill

As far as the part of the bill on certification of death is concerned, we agree with it.I begin with a declaration of my interest as a registered general practitioner. I am registered with the General Medical Council.At its core, the legis…

17 Mar 2026   Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill (draft)

As far as the part of the bill on certification of death is concerned, we agree with it.I begin with a declaration of my interest as a registered general practitioner. I am registered with the General Medical Council.At its core, the legis…

17 Mar 2026   Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (draft)

I press amendment 25. We are very supportive of the amendments in the group.

17 Mar 2026   Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I press amendment 25. We are very supportive of the amendments in the group.

17 Mar 2026   Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (draft)

Can the minister reassure Parliament that HIS has the required resources to carry out what we are requesting of it?

17 Mar 2026   Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Can the minister reassure Parliament that HIS has the required resources to carry out what we are requesting of it?

17 Mar 2026   Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (draft)

I have a number of amendments in this group. Under amendment 25, before the offences under the bill can come into force, ministers would have to review the capacity of HIS to exercise the enforcement provisions. That is important, because …

17 Mar 2026   Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I have a number of amendments in this group. Under amendment 25, before the offences under the bill can come into force, ministers would have to review the capacity of HIS to exercise the enforcement provisions. That is important, because …

17 Mar 2026   Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (draft)

We support amendment 6, and I will not press amendment 24.Amendment 24, by agreement, withdrawn.After section 15Amendment 6 moved—Gillian Mackay—and agreed to.Before section 15A

17 Mar 2026   Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

We support amendment 6, and I will not press amendment 24.Amendment 24, by agreement, withdrawn.After section 15Amendment 6 moved—Gillian Mackay—and agreed to.Before section 15A

Seat & career1 seat held

Source: this MSP's profile on parliament.scot.

Allowances£7,672 · 2025

2025 (latest published)

Members Mileage£2,313
Rent£2,250
Computer Software£756
Utilities£731
Telephone Services Costs£497
Mailing Costs£392
Running Repairs and Maintenance£234
Hotel£185
Business Meeting£120
Newspaper Subscriptions£60
Staff Mileage£50
Car parking£28
Staff Rail£19
Staff Car Parking£17
Equipment£14
Office/Window Cleaning£8

Source: Scottish Parliament (published ~1 year in arrears)

Contact & offices[email protected]

Source: this MSP's official Scottish Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.