Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 3 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of NHS Ayrshire and Arran's escalation to stage 4 of the NHS Scotland Support and Intervention Framework, what discussions it has had with the board regarding the (a) operating cost so far and (b) date of the opening of the National Secure Adolescent Inpatient Service for Scotland (Foxgrove); what its response is to the recent information released under Freedom of Information that £5,243,606 has been spent on salaries for staff at the site since 2021, despite it not yet formally being opened, what its position is on whether this represents good value for the public purse, and whether it expects Foxgrove to open prior to 7 May 2026, before the Scottish Parliament election.
Ministers remain committed to ensuring that the National Secure Adolescent Inpatient Service at Foxgrove opens as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so. Scottish Government officials meet regularly with NHS Ayrshire and Arran and NHS Scotland Assure to monitor progress towards opening, including discussion of operational readiness, workforce matters and associated costs.
Recruitment of specialist staff in advance of opening is necessary to ensure appropriate training, governance arrangements and regulatory compliance are in place for what will be a highly specialist national service. The costs referenced relate to establishing and retaining a skilled workforce to support safe delivery of care once the service becomes operational.
Opening will take place once all safety, clinical and regulatory requirements have been fully satisfied.