Parliamentary questions
Kevin Stewart
579 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
28 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S6W-43029 by Tom Arthur on 27 January 2026, when the webinars for NHS boards on eating disorder self-referral pathways will take place.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Self-referral pathways will feature in the National Eating Disorders Network’s webinar Early Intervention for Eating Disorders in Scotland: Real-World Examples of Service-Based Changes in Scottish Health Boards. This will take place on 12 March 2026.Fur…
28 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-43029 by Tom Arthur on 27 January 2026, whether ministers will consider collecting data on child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) self-referrals for eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: As NHS Boards continue to develop work in this area, we will request further information on CAMHS self-referrals for eating disorders in future self-reporting documents.Through the Eating Disorders National Network, we continue to work with Boards to understa…
28 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-43029 by Tom Arthur on 27 January 2026, whether ministers will consider encouraging all NHS boards to aspire to accepting self-referrals from people with eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government has made clear through the National Specification for the Care and Treatment of Eating Disorders in Scotland that NHS Boards should be supported to accept self-referrals.We continue to support Boards in implementing the Specification, …
21 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has relayed reported concerns to the UK Government about the timing mismatch of the proposed electricity transmission charge reform in 2029 and the next Contract for Difference round, which might take place in 2026.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government has been clear that the current system of transmission charging is unfit for purpose and unfairly penalises Scottish renewable energy generators, putting them at a commercial disadvantage. I and Officials regularly raise this with UK G…
21 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has asked the UK Government to fast-track the reform of the electricity transmission charges regime.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government has been clear that the current system of transmission charging is unfit for purpose and unfairly penalises Scottish renewable energy generators, putting them at a commercial disadvantage. I and Officials regularly raise this with UK G…
21 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the rising cost of electricity transmission charges, in light of reported concerns that these are undermining the economics of offshore wind projects.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government has been clear that the current system of transmission charging is unfit for purpose, and unfairly penalises Scottish renewable energy generators, putting them at a commercial disadvantage and Officials regularly raise this with UK Gov…
14 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards are implementing the pathway for eating disorders and autism developed from clinical experience (PEACE) to make eating disorder services more accessible for neurodivergent people.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government does not collect data on the implementation of the PEACE pathway.We are aware that several NHS Boards are implementing the pathway across both CAMHS and adult services, and that others are interested in progressing this work.To support…
14 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards accept child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) self referrals from people with eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government does not routinely collect data on which NHS Boards accept child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) self-referrals from those with eating disorders.The Scottish Government’s National Specification for the Care and Trea…
13 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many dentists are currently employed by NHS Scotland, and how this compares to 2006-07.
Answer · Neil Gray: There are 711.7 WTE Dentists working across NHS Scotland as at September 2025, an increase of 26.9% (150.7 WTE) since September 2006.
13 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many doctors are currently employed by NHS Scotland, and how this compares to 2006-07.
Answer · Neil Gray: There are 15,959.8 WTE Doctors (excluding dentists) working across NHS Scotland as at September 2025, an increase of 66.2% (6,359.4 WTE) since September 2006.
13 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many nurses are currently employed by NHS Scotland, and how this compares to 2006-07.
Answer · Neil Gray: We do not hold separate Nursing and Midwifery figures for 2006-07.There are 64,395.6 WTE Nurses working across NHS Scotland as at September 2025, an increase of 18.7% (10,142.6 WTE) since September 2007.There are 67,667.3 WTE Nurses and Midwives working acros…
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is improving services for those people with eating disorders with co-occurring considerations and/or comorbidities.
Answer · Tom Arthur: In many cases eating disorders can co-occur with other conditions. The National Specification for the Care and Treatment of Eating Disorders sets the expectation that services collaborate with appropriate teams to ensure comprehensive personalised care for in…
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what investment it is currently providing to community organisations to support those with eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Eating disorder charity Beat promotes its services through existing partnerships with clinical services, carer organisations, Health Boards, universities, and education authorities. This financial year, we have provided over £600,000 to Beat.For mental …
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what investment it is currently providing to third sector organisations to support those with eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Since the Covid-19 pandemic we have provided eating disorder charity Beat with funding to provide a range of services, such as their dedicated helpline support and delivering peer support services.This financial year, we have provided over £600,000 to B…
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made to improve information sharing between public services to ensure the right outcomes for those with eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: As part of the implementation of the recommendations from the National Review of Eating Disorder Services in Scotland, the Scottish Government established an Eating Disorder National Network in 2024 to take forward the medium and long term recommendations.Mem…
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it has done to improve discharge protocols for those with eating disorders to ensure that they continue to receive support and care.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The National Specification for the Care and Treatment of Eating Disorders in Scotland, published by the Scottish Government in 2024, makes clear that discharge from eating disorder services should be planned, collaborative, and based on individualised goals o…
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to enhance patient safety protocols for those with eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government’s National Specification for the Care and Treatment of Eating Disorders in Scotland is underpinned by principles and values aligned with quality healthcare provision, including patient safety.Everyone in Scotland has the right to…
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what efforts it is making to enhance research into eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Eating Disorder Network is supporting the Scottish Government on how best to implement Recommendation 15 of the National Review, which asked the Scottish Government to consider funding eating disorders research through NHS Research Scotland.The Network ha…
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to improve data collection regarding eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government asked NHS Boards in May 2025 to complete a self-assessment tool, scoring their delivery and implementation of the National Specification for the Care and Treatment of Eating Disorders across CAMHS and adult services.The responses provi…
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that the voices of lived experience are heard to improve eating disorder services.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government provides funding to eating disorder charity Beat to deliver the Eating Disorder Lived Experience Panel, a key recommendation from the National Review of Eating Disorder Services.The Panel provide advice and evidence from the perspectiv…
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that supermarkets, restaurants and food companies have a greater understanding of eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The National Eating Disorder Network are considering how to take forward the longer term recommendations of the National Review of Eating Disorder Services.This includes building, implementing and evaluating a public health strategy for Scotland that makes ea…
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that social media companies have a greater understanding of eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The National Eating Disorder Network are considering how to take forward the longer term recommendations of the National Review of Eating Disorder Services.This includes building, implementing and evaluating a public health strategy for Scotland that makes ea…
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that diet and weight loss companies have a greater understanding of eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The National Eating Disorder Network are considering how to take forward the longer term recommendations of the National Review of Eating Disorder Services.This includes building, implementing and evaluating a public health strategy for Scotland that makes ea…
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that social workers and social care staff have a greater understanding of eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government has been working with NHS Education Scotland (NES) to develop new Eating Disorder content on Turas. The updated platform will act as a multi-agency resource, structured by age, context and practice type. This will link to guidance, tra…
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that teachers and school staff have a greater understanding of eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government has been working with NHS Education Scotland (NES) to develop new Eating Disorder content on Turas. The updated platform will act as a multi-agency resource, structured by age, context and practice type. This will link to guidance, tra…
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that hospital doctors and nursing staff have a greater understanding of eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government has been working with NHS Education Scotland (NES) to develop new Eating Disorder content on Turas. The updated platform will act as a multi-agency resource, structured by age, context and practice type. This will link to guidance, tra…
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that GPs and primary care staff have a greater understanding of eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government has been working with NHS Education Scotland (NES) to develop new Eating Disorder content on Turas. The updated platform will act as a multi-agency resource, structured by age, context and practice type. This will link to guidance, tra…
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made to improve the transition from children’s services to adult services for those being treated for eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government understands that transitions between children’s to adult services can be difficult for some young people, particularly those who are being treated for eating disorders. We know that these transitions can be stressful, and it is i…
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action has been taken to improve information to carers whose loved ones are being treated for eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government has funded the development of content pages and videos featuring people with lived experience, clinicians and parents/carers. The majority of these are now available on NHS inform with links below.Over the last 3 months the eating diso…
11 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action has been taken to improve information to patients who are being treated for eating disorders.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government has funded the development of content pages and videos featuring people with lived experience, clinicians and parents/carers. The majority of these are now available on NHS inform with links below.Over the last 3 months the eating diso…