Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 05 February 2026 [Draft]
05 Feb 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
That was a very helpful intervention. We heard that HIS needs to be strengthened. If we are serious about tackling the issue, we must ensure that HIS gets the appropriate funding and support for that work.
The committee also discussed the fact that the bill gives us a great opportunity to educate the public on the standards and qualifications that they should look for when they want to have such procedures carried out. We heard that many people might not understand the risks associated with the procedures, know which procedures are regulated, or know how they can ensure that their practitioner has been verified as a qualified practitioner and that the premises have been verified as safe. One witness who gave evidence to the committee argued that public awareness is extremely important and will be fundamental in enabling the bill to work effectively. Therefore, I ask the Government to take that issue seriously and to provide appropriate resources to ensure that we can increase public awareness.
I will close now, because I know that I am over time. As I have said, Scottish Labour supports the bill, and we look forward to working with other members to get it right at stage 2.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-20646, in the name of Jenni Minto, on the Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Sco...
The Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health (Jenni Minto)
SNP
Non-surgical procedures have become increasingly popular, but regulation has not kept pace with what is a growing industry. Many people who undergo such proc...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
Will Jenni Minto give way?
Jenni Minto
SNP
I will just finish my paragraph.I am committed to maintaining consensus and would like members with proposals for improving the bill to raise them with me.
Alex Cole-Hamilton
LD
I, too, read the committee’s report with interest. The minister is right that those who avail themselves of such services are largely female; the sector is a...
Jenni Minto
SNP
I will touch on that later in my contribution.As well as having meetings with members, I have heard directly from a wide range of interested groups and have ...
Maurice Golden (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Does the minister accept that the bill will make 1,800 female-led businesses go to the wall?
Jenni Minto
SNP
I do not recognise those numbers. I have been clear that I will work with businesses and with Mr Golden to look at what is possible.However, I know that ther...
Clare Haughey (Rutherglen) (SNP)
SNP
As convener, I am pleased to open the stage 1 debate on the Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill on behalf of the Healt...
Sandesh Gulhane (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
I declare an interest as a practising national health service general practitioner.At the heart of the bill is one simple issue: patient safety. At present, ...
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased to confirm that Scottish Labour will support the bill at stage 1.During the committee’s evidence gathering sessions, it was clear that the bill ...
Sandesh Gulhane
Con
Will the member give way?
Carol Mochan
Lab
Of course.
Sandesh Gulhane
Con
Does the member agree that we must also strengthen Healthcare Improvement Scotland and ensure that it has the capacity to carry out the functions that the bi...
Carol Mochan
Lab
That was a very helpful intervention. We heard that HIS needs to be strengthened. If we are serious about tackling the issue, we must ensure that HIS gets th...
Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green)
Green
In my opening contribution, I want to spend some time reflecting on why we need the bill in the first place.In March 2024, healthcare professionals warned th...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
The debate has been interesting, and I am learning a lot. The bill brings together two distinct sets of reforms that aim to protect the public while strength...
Sandesh Gulhane
Con
I wonder about the appropriateness of somebody performing procedures in their own home or in an environment that is not clinical and potentially not clean. S...
Alex Cole-Hamilton
LD
I am absolutely certain that regulation needs to be tightened, but that is not my salient point. The fundamental point is that, if we get the balance wrong, ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
We move to the open debate.16:17
Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP)
SNP
I thank the minister for introducing the bill and for listening to the concerns of people in the non-surgical cosmetic industry. I am sure that the arguments...
Maurice Golden (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I will start on a point of consensus. From what I have heard, there will be unanimous support for the bill at stage 1. I thank the minister for her engagemen...
Clare Haughey
SNP
I think that Mr Golden might have misinterpreted the bill and the committee’s report. We are talking about higher-tariff non-surgical procedures in HIS-inspe...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I can give you the time back, Mr Golden.
Maurice Golden
Con
I do not believe that there is a requirement to have a healthcare professional on site. In fact—and I will come on to this—I see that as being not particular...
Clare Haughey
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Maurice Golden
Con
Do I have time?
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I can certainly give you the time back, Mr Golden.
Maurice Golden
Con
Yes, I am happy to take the intervention.
Clare Haughey
SNP
Perhaps the minister, in an intervention, would be able to clarify this more fully, but I think that Mr Golden is misinterpreting the bill and, consequently,...