Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 24 November 2021
24 Nov 2021 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
When the health secretary came to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, he made it clear that there will be no cap; I did not intend to imply that there would be one.
Many women have been trying to cope with the personal and financial consequences of undergoing expensive private medical treatment. We need to get down to business as quickly as possible, so that they can apply for compensation as soon as possible after the act comes into force. There are questions, however, including about whether executors of a deceased person can make a claim.
I understand that the cabinet secretary does not consider that it would be advantageous to the women affected for the compensation scheme to be specified in regulation, and that he prefers that there be an administrative scheme, which is quicker to implement and easier to amend, where appropriate. Given the urgency around moving the bill into law, I support that position.
I look forward to hearing from members across the chamber this afternoon. It is my wish that we find—for the second time this week—common ground when we come to vote.
I want to make it absolutely clear that the Scottish Conservatives support the principles of the bill, and that we will work together to speed it through Parliament.
15:21In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
I remind members of the Covid-related measures that are in place. Face coverings should be worn when moving around the chamber and across the Holyrood campus...
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Humza Yousaf)
SNP
I am pleased to open the debate on the Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Bill. I would like first to thank the Health, Sport and So...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Gillian Martin to speak on behalf of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee. 15:06
Gillian Martin (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP)
SNP
Over the years, we have all heard countless accounts of the complications of transvaginal mesh surgery and its lifelong effects, even after the mesh has been...
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I very much welcome Gillian Martin’s powerful speech in support of the bill. With regard to the end date, did the committee consider whether the date of com...
Gillian Martin
SNP
I guess that that is implicit in what I have just said, because there is a gap. The committee has not specified what we think the date should be, but we have...
Sandesh Gulhane (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
I point members to my declaration of interests; I am a practising doctor. It is not every day that parties on opposite sides of the chamber see eye to eye, ...
Humza Yousaf
SNP
I want to put on the record a clarification. Dr Gulhane referred to an amount of money per surgery. He is right to say that we specify amounts in the financi...
Sandesh Gulhane
Con
When the health secretary came to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, he made it clear that there will be no cap; I did not intend to imply that the...
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I thank my fellow members of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, who are all here today, for their work on the bill over recent weeks. I welcome th...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
It gives me great pleasure to speak for the Liberal Democrats in support of the bill’s general principles at stage 1. When it comes to domestic health scanda...
Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the bill and pay tribute to everyone who has campaigned on the issue, including, most importantly, the women who have campaigned for justice. I tha...
Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
As a new member, I am pleased to be able to speak in this debate about what is a short but landmark piece of legislation. Although it is a bill that has take...
David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP)
SNP
I was a member of the Public Petitions Committee back in 2014, when the issue of polypropylene mesh medical devices was brought to the committee’s attention ...
Katy Clark (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
It is a pleasure to speak in the debate and I welcome the bill. I congratulate all those who have campaigned for the legislation over such a long time. I als...
Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP)
SNP
As a member of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, I am pleased to take part in this debate, and I welcome the cross-party support for the bill’s ge...
Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green)
Green
As a member of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, I am pleased to speak in support of the bill at stage 1. I thank all the women who came to give ...
Kaukab Stewart (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)
SNP
I thank the cabinet secretary and the members of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee for their work in introducing the bill. More than anyone, though...
Pam Gosal (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
I am honoured to be contributing to the debate. It is important that the women who were forced to seek private arrangements to remove transvaginal mesh are r...
Siobhian Brown (Ayr) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the bill before Parliament today. “I have been attempting to navigate through the absolute nightmare of living with mesh for 12 years.” That is ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
Before calling the final speaker in the open debate, I remind members that anybody who has contributed to the debate needs to be in the chamber for the closi...
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I extend my thanks to the committee for its report. I, too, want to put on record my admiration for the women who have fought with dignity and determination ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We move to the closing speeches. I note that Gillian Mackay is not present in the chamber, and I expect an explanation for that in due course. 16:27
Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
In closing for Scottish Labour, I begin by reflecting the strong consensus that we have heard in the debate. Stage 1 of the bill marks a significant mileston...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Given the time in hand, I invite Jackson Carlaw to wind up for a generous seven minutes. 16:33
Jackson Carlaw (Eastwood) (Con)
Con
Thank you, Presiding Officer. I genuinely feel considerable pride in our Parliament this afternoon. In contributing to the debate, I am not without some emo...
Gillian Martin
SNP
Does the member think that that points to a wider issue about women not being believed when they come forward with health issues? Does he agree that we shoul...
Jackson Carlaw
Con
I absolutely do. In the previous session, I sat in a meeting of the Public Petitions Committee—along with David Torrance, I think—and listened to one special...
Humza Yousaf
SNP
I have seen Dr Veronikis’s response. We actually had a helpful response from him recently, so progress is being made. I can give an absolute assurance on two...
Jackson Carlaw
Con
I thank the cabinet secretary for that assurance. We must ensure that the delivery of that assurance follows the delivery of the bill. I thank Gillian Marti...