First Minister’s Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 7 November 2024.
During this parliamentary session, members from every party have acknowledged that Scotland has a much higher prevalence of Huntington’s disease than the global average, and there is a growing need for specialist Huntington’s disease services to be provided to national health service patients throughout Scotland—especially in North Lanarkshire, where the prevalence is higher still. In light of that, and as the Scottish Huntington’s Association approaches its 35th anniversary and family gathering in Dundee on 9 November, will the Scottish Government meet representatives of the charity to discuss what the Government can do to assist it to deliver on both the call for increased services and its mission of achieving the best possible care and support for everyone who is impacted by Huntington’s disease in Scotland?
I thank Fulton MacGregor for raising an important issue. I recognise that Huntington’s disease is a devastating condition, and I absolutely agree with him that all who are affected should be able to access the best possible care and support.
Through our neurological framework, we have been working hard to improve neurological services across Scotland. My officials previously met the charity to better understand the needs of people with Huntington’s disease. The Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health will be happy to meet the charity’s representatives to further discuss the provision of Huntington’s care in Scotland, and I will be delighted to encourage the taking forward of dialogue with the Scottish Government neurological conditions team.