Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government recognises the wider considerations associated with GLP-1 weight loss medication use in relation to people with eating disorders.

The Scottish Government’s National Eating Disorders Network has committed to establish a short-life working group to consider potential issues relating to GLP-1 medication and eating disorders. With work expected to begin over the coming months, the group will bring together expertise to develop understanding of this evolving area and help inform appropriate next steps.

NHS inform provides information and advice on diabetes and weight loss medication, including advising people with an eating disorder to speak to a healthcare professional if they are considering taking weight loss medication.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) make clear that these medicines are prescription-only and should be prescribed by a registered healthcare professional and under appropriate medical supervision. Seeking appropriate clinical advice helps to ensure that treatment is suitable for an individual's circumstances and can be used safely.

It is important that prescription-only medicines are obtained from regulated sources, as medicines obtained through unregulated sources may not meet the required standards of safety and quality.

Responses to the consultation on Mandatory Calorie Labelling in the Out of Home Sector in Scotland highlighted the need for further evidence on the potential impacts that calorie information may have on people with lived and living experience of an eating disorder. We are working with Food Standards Scotland and Public Health Scotland to review the available evidence and consider the potential impacts of this policy.

Food Standards Scotland has been monitoring the evidence base to understand more about how the display of calorie information in out of home setting may impact those living with or susceptible to an eating disorder. A programme of research on this issue, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research is due to conclude at the end of this year.

The Scottish Government has not conducted a specific assessment of additional clinical workforce required to provide a national 24/7 thrombectomy service.

The Scottish Government has approved funding for the procurement of an artificial intelligence solution to support the expansion of thrombectomy services.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken a specific analysis of the number of patients who are currently unable to access thrombectomy services. The planning work being undertaken by Public Services Delivery Scotland will assess demand and currently unmet need.

In line with the recommendation from the National Review of Eating Disorder Services, the National Eating Disorders Network was established in 2024 to help improve training, skills development, and public health strategies.

We are currently delivering on the medium and longer term recommendations with the help of the Network including:

• Supporting implementation of the Specification by assessing Health Boards’ needs and collecting relevant data through an audit tool.
• Producing content for NHS inform, providing free and accessible information and advice on eating disorders for people in Scotland.
• Developing and delivering further training for NHS colleagues.
• Working with partners in hosting regular webinars for clinicians, carers and people with lived experience from across Scotland.
• Engaging with stakeholders to discuss our approach to GLP-1 weight loss medications, in respect of eating disorders.
• Engaging with stakeholders on data collection and reporting, to understand how best to support them in this area.

Following the former Cabinet Secretary for Housing’s letter to COSLA, officials met with COSLA officers to reiterate Scottish Government’s expectations regarding the availability of powers for local authorities to make use of byelaws in order to ensure accommodation standards for seasonal workers are appropriate.

COSLA officers had committed to undertake further engagement with local authority officers that have agricultural seasonal workers in their area to identify the necessary requirements in order for further discussions with officials to take place on how the Scottish Government can support local authorities’ consideration of byelaws through information, advice and guidance. Officials stand ready to support COSLA officers when such an approach will be made.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7O-00190 and the associated supplementaries on 9 September which is available on the Parliament’s website, the Official Report can be found at Meeting of the Parliament: 09/09/2026 | Scottish Parliament Website

The Scottish Government's ambition is that, subject to clinical eligibility, patients will be able to receive thrombectomy procedure at a hub hospital, regardless of their geographical location at the time they suffer a stroke.

Work to publish the delivery plan for 24/7 thrombectomy, as committed to in the Programme for Government, will begin after Public Services Delivery Scotland(PSDS)have obtained the necessary clinical, planning, financial and workforce information from NHS Boards. This work will help establish what is required to make 24/7 thrombectomy available across Scotland.