Young Patients Family Fund

That the Parliament recognises the significant financial pressures faced by families when a child requires hospital care; notes that families can incur substantial costs for travel, food, accommodation and lost income, often at a time of considerable emotional and practical strain; believes that the current reimbursement-based approach can leave families unable to meet costs upfront and can create additional barriers for those facing financial hardship or difficulties navigating the claims process; recognises that families of children requiring regular outpatient treatment can face repeated costs and disruption without receiving support where there is no overnight hospital stay, and calls on the Scottish Government to expand the Young Patients Family Fund, to provide a cash-first approach and to include regular outpatient care, ensuring that families are not pushed further into financial hardship because their child requires hospital treatment.