Biography
Leishman has engaged on health and social care through 12 debate speeches, with a strong focus on health inequalities particularly affecting deprived areas of Scotland across multiple conditions including cancer, stroke, and dementia. His contributions have consistently highlighted the role of deprivation and austerity in widening health disparities, and he has championed local community initiatives and charities addressing these issues, such as stroke support groups and dementia resource centres. He has also advocated for adequate NHS funding and palliative care provision.
Generated from their own Hansard record, below
“Increasing the uptake of bowel cancer screening improves rates of early diagnosis and saves lives, but about a third of people eligible for a FIT test—a faecal immunochemical test—do not complete one. That figure rises in the most deprived areas of Scotland, where up to half of people are not completing the test.”
Record by topic
- Palliative & end of life care158th of 5689.0
- Cancer180th of 6229.0
- Dementia30th of 2519.0
- Mental health481st of 8806.0
- Health inequalities80th of 2886.0
- Heart disease & stroke174th of 3983.0
- Unpaid carers158th of 2833.0
- NHS waiting lists323rd of 5343.0
What they’ve said
“…She is a force for getting palliative care the funding that it truly needs. Laura and Keith Turner and their daughter Kate are at the heart of the community spirit that makes Sauchie such a special place.”
Palliative Care · 2026-03-05 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…There are also lots of other positive mental health activities in various musical groups, all of which are fantastic. The Sauchie resource centre is always busy. Love in a Box was founded by two ladies from Alloa: Sharon McCafferty and Margaret Douglas.”
Small Charity Sector · 2026-03-03 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…The meetings support people living with dementia and some who are experiencing loneliness and social isolation. It is an example of great camaraderie, friendship and community spirit.…”
Business of the House · 2026-01-08 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…trol, my contribution today will be from a Scottish perspective, because I want to speak about the situation of health inequalities that we have in Scotland and how it comes down, like everything does, to a class issue.”
Less Survivable Cancers · 2026-01-06 · Read on Hansard ↗
“The Injury Time campaign wants to classify brain injuries in football, such as dementia, as an industrial injury. The campaign wants former players to receive Government support and benefits and wants an increase in funding for research.”
Topical Questions · 2025-12-08 · Read on Hansard ↗
Contributions reproduced under the Open Parliament Licence.