Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-13090, in the name of Meghan Gallacher, on implementing the Cass review in Scotland. 15:15

Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

Yesterday, I attended the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee’s meeting to hear directly from Dr Hilary Cass following her review of gender care services...

Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con

Does Meghan Gallacher believe that there is no excuse for the SNP not to implement the recommendations of the Cass review now that it has broken up its tragi...

Meghan Gallacher Con

Absolutely. This is an opportunity to reset, refocus and actually prioritise young people who need the Government’s support. The Cass review is a four-year-...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Ms Gallacher, I ask you to move the motion, please.

Meghan Gallacher Con

I move, That the Parliament welcomes the report submitted by Dr Hilary Cass on gender identity services for children and young people; recognises the report...

The Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health (Jenni Minto) SNP

Just over two weeks ago, I stood in the chamber to emphasise what is undeniably a fact: that young people who are questioning their gender or accessing gende...

Rachael Hamilton Con

Will the minister take an intervention?

Jenni Minto SNP

I am going to make progress. As I made clear in my statement, a senior multidisciplinary clinical team within the chief medical officer’s directorate in the...

Rachael Hamilton Con

Thank you, minister. In her statement, the minister said that discussions between clinical stakeholders on what further involvement may be appropriate were ...

Jenni Minto SNP

The chief medical officer will provide a written update to Parliament on the outcome of that clinical consideration process before the summer recess. I am su...

Ash Regan (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Alba

The minister has just set out that the CMO will seek to provide a written statement to the Parliament on the progress that is being made, but I ask the Gover...

Jenni Minto SNP

Currently, the CMO is going to provide a written statement, and that is the way that I think the update should be delivered to Parliament. I know that colle...

Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

Will the minister give way on that point?

Jenni Minto SNP

I need to make progress. As part of our work, the Scottish Government is clear that there needs to be transparency. We therefore agree that the CMO will wri...

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Lab

The Cass review is a considered, evidence-based report that was drawn up by experts. It was led by Dr Hilary Cass, former president of the Royal College of P...

Fergus Ewing (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Jackie Baillie Lab

I am about to close. We have asked for openness and transparency, with the new working group publishing papers and minutes. I understand that the Government...

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green

It is undeniable that homophobia and transphobia are on the rise, and that is absolutely true when it comes to the weaponisation of the Cass review. The deba...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Members, please show some courtesy and respect to the speaker who has the floor.

Gillian Mackay Green

We have to be aware that the Cass review was a review of services and treatment pathways in NHS England that differ from those in Scotland. As many members h...

Paul Sweeney Lab

Will the member take an intervention on that point?

Gillian Mackay Green

I will.

Paul Sweeney Lab

Does the member agree that a key risk that was raised at this week’s meeting of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee was the fact that the long waits—...

Gillian Mackay Green

Yes—absolutely. The other thing that was highlighted at committee was the on-going distress and mental health issues for those young people who experience lo...

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD) LD

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak for the Liberal Democrats in this important debate. Although it is a sensitive matter, it is important that we deb...

Jackie Baillie Lab

Will the member take an intervention?

Alex Cole-Hamilton LD

I am afraid that I do not have time; I have only four minutes. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has paused the use of puberty blockers at that clinic to allow ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

We move to the open debate. I advise members that we have no time in hand and that back-bench speeches are up to four minutes maximum. 15:41

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

Sinéad Watson is one of the bravest people whom I have ever met. Sinéad is a detransitioner and someone whom I first heard speak in the Parliament four years...