You may have seen the recent news reports on long-term hospitalisation of those with learning disabilities and complex needs. These stories hit close to home for mothers like Tracey Gibbons, a member of our constituency who has tried in vain to bring autistic son Kyle home from a hospitalisation twelve years ago - and counting.

Yet-to-be-fulfilled promises from the Scottish Government that the number of individuals trapped in Kyle’s situation will be greatly reduced by 2024 are not enough for families desperate to be reunited.

Tracey said: “Waiting two years for change is not quick enough in my opinion… Kyle has lost his youth and his human rights. It’s awful to watch his pain. This needs to be looked at now, not years down the line.”

Other mothers in her position have been afraid to speak out for fear of losing visitation rights.

We are calling for the Scottish Government to give the petitions of concerned family members the attention they deserve and make good on their stance that “It is completely unacceptable for people with learning disabilities and more complex needs to spend long periods of time in hospital when they could be supported in the community.”

You can read an in-depth BBC Scotland report here.