Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 10 September 2025.
Marie McNair
Scottish National Party
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is supporting adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to access medication. (S6O-04913)
Tom Arthur
Scottish National Party
First, I clarify that not all adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder require medication and that a range of non-pharmacological supports should be made available following diagnosis. When medication is required, it can be prescribed by specialist services following a formal diagnosis of ADHD.
My officials have liaised with national health service boards across Scotland to understand what provision they have in place to deliver adult neurodevelopmental assessments, and we are exploring how to address current issues that are contributing to long waiting times for assessment. In addition, we fund the national autism implementation team, which is supporting NHS boards to develop, enhance and redesign existing local adult neurodevelopmental services.
Marie McNair
Scottish National Party
I have been contacted by a constituent who received a psychiatric assessment and an ADHD diagnosis when residing in England and who was advised that his general practitioner was willing to prescribe Ritalin. However, he has been refused such a prescription in Scotland, apparently because of the need for a psychiatric assessment here. My constituent is therefore without the medication that he desperately needs, despite having a diagnosis and a GP who is willing to prescribe Ritalin. Will the Minister intervene in this case and help to secure the support that my constituent needs?
Liam McArthur
Liberal Democrat
As briefly as possible, Minister.
Tom Arthur
Scottish National Party
I acknowledge that the increase in adults undertaking neurodevelopmental assessment across Scotland is creating challenges for services. The risks of underprescribing need to be carefully balanced against the potential risks of inappropriate prescribing.
As I hope that the member appreciates, decisions on prescribing should be led by the appropriate clinicians. We are aware that different health boards have adopted varying approaches to private diagnosis or diagnosis from outside Scotland. We are aware that NHS Lothian, for example, has issued guidance to support clinicians. My officials will draw on the experience of health boards and explore a sustainable solution that effectively addresses the balance of risks.
Liam McArthur
Liberal Democrat
I apologise again to members whom I was not able to call for supplementaries. That concludes portfolio Question Time.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
