Chamber and committees

We have heard about the increased risk to people who are in prison and about the issues with getting adequate support when they move on from prison. Could you give a bit of detail on that from COSLA’s point of view?

Do you know of any charities that work specifically with people who are leaving prison? Sorry to put you on the spot. If you do not have the information, I think that the committee would be quite interested to find that out.

Finally, you will be aware that, in Scotland, we are trying to mitigate the benefit cap through discretionary housing payments. Have you taken an interest in that intervention and its impact alongside the Scottish child payment?

Good morning, panel. Thanks for your time this morning. Dr Stone, will you tell the committee your views on what the ways are to help to ensure that all children who are living in poverty are eligible for the Scottish child payment?

I am interested in your written submission, in which you say:

“The Scottish Child Payment ... is for many families simply acting to offset the consequences of UK-level policies that restrict their incomes—most importantly, the two-child limit and the benefit cap. Fully addressing child poverty in Scotland therefore requires action at a UK level as well as at a national level.”

Are you aware of many families who are receiving the Scottish child payment and are also impacted by the two-child policy and the benefit cap?

I am interested to hear more about that. If you have anything else on that, could you send it in to the committee? I am sure that other members would be interested, too.

Absolutely.

For those who are living with epilepsy, social support services that are provided by charities such as Epilepsy Scotland can be vital, as they create a safe space for people to discuss their challenges free from stigma, and to access important information and guidance. Access to solid social support has been shown to help to reduce the use of clinical care, as people gain a better understanding of how to manage their condition and better mental health, and have support structures in place if they encounter crises. Those social services are essential, but I understand that funding them to continue can be challenging. I would welcome greater consideration at both national and local levels of funding for such services.

When I met the West Dunbartonshire epilepsy support group, I was interested to learn from its members about the possible positive benefits of medicinal cannabis for those who are living with the condition. I would be interested to see further research in that area, and greater consideration given to that option.

I take the opportunity to thank the West Dunbartonshire epilepsy support group and, nationally, Epilepsy Scotland. I also thank Brian and John of the West Dunbartonshire group for meeting me to tell their stories and increase my understanding of epilepsy. The group does commendable work to tackle social isolation and provide support to those with epilepsy, and it has my support. I thank Epilepsy Scotland for taking the time to meet me and provide me with helpful statistics and information. The social support services that the organisation provides to people across Scotland are vital. I also put on record my thanks to the Scottish Parliament cross-party group on epilepsy.

Individuals who are living with epilepsy possess an abundance of strength and resilience. They navigate a world that is not often accommodating of their needs, yet they persevere with confidence. Let us use our Parliament to amplify the voices of individuals with epilepsy and their stories, challenges and achievements. By doing so, we foster empathy, break down stigma and help to raise awareness of the condition among our society.

I urge all members in the chamber to take the time to do their bit, whether that involves raising awareness on social media or meeting constituents who have epilepsy. By doing so, we will create the inclusive and passionate country for which we strive.

I am pleased to bring the debate to the chamber during national epilepsy week. I thank my colleagues for supporting my motion and participating in the debate.

National epilepsy week is dedicated to raising awareness of epilepsy and the wider challenges that those who are living with the condition face, and to promoting greater understanding, inclusion and support for those who are living with epilepsy. The theme this year is #BeyondSeizure.

In Scotland, there are approximately 58,000 people with epilepsy. It is, by some margin, one of the most common neurological conditions in the world. Despite that, however, people with epilepsy can often feel that their condition gets less attention than others. I know that many people would not know what to do if someone had a seizure in front of them. It is essential, therefore, that we, as politicians, use our position to highlight the condition and work to tackle stigma.

If you are with someone who is having a seizure, you should move them only if they are in danger; cushion their head if they are on the ground and loosen any tight clothing around their neck, such as a collar or tie, to aid breathing; turn them on their side after the seizure stops; and stay with them and talk to them calmly until they recover. You should also note the time that the seizure starts and when it finishes. It is important to recognise that no two people experience epilepsy in the same way. For one person, epilepsy can mean complete seizure control on medication, while for another person, it can mean uncontrolled and frequent seizures despite medication.

Epilepsy has various causes—it can involve an identifiable cause such as an acquired brain injury; developing epilepsy following a diagnosis of dementia; or genetic causes. In addition, people with Down’s syndrome, autism or learning disabilities are statistically more likely to have epilepsy. A study across the United Kingdom nations estimated that there are 49 new cases of epilepsy diagnosed in Scotland every day. The same study identified a connection with regard to an increased prevalence of epilepsy in areas of deprivation. People who are living in deprived areas are a third more likely to have epilepsy than those who are living in the least deprived areas. According to Epilepsy Scotland, that has also been shown in previous studies by other researchers.

That highlights the complex nature of the condition and how it can often be intertwined with other health conditions and social factors such as poverty. I commend Epilepsy Scotland’s welfare rights service for its work to reduce poverty by maximising people’s income, and I back the organisation’s calls for general practitioners who charge for completing an NCT003 form to stop the practice. A free bus pass should be just that—free. I ask the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health to take an interest in the matter, if she has not already done so.

The impacts of epilepsy and the challenges that it brings are wider than just seizures. Epilepsy can result in mental health challenges; a feeling of social isolation; and feelings of stigma or judgment from others who do not know enough or who make assumptions. I was struck by one comment in a briefing that Epilepsy Scotland provided to me. It said:

“They don’t know because they lack the education of how to support someone who is epileptic and when they see you taking or not being well, they think that you have taken drugs. Sometimes they just leave you.”

That type of stigma can be debilitating and dangerous, so we must do more to challenge it.

Epilepsy can also impact sleep and memory and can, unfortunately, make it more difficult for individuals to find or remain in paid employment. According to the Office for National Statistics, only 34 per cent of working-age people with epilepsy are in employment. For those who are living with epilepsy, social support services that are provided by charities such as Epilepsy Scotland can be vital.

Thanks, cabinet secretary. I appreciate your reassurances.

Thanks for that. How are Social Security Scotland processes being adapted to take into consideration the needs of the older clients who are applying for the benefit?