Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 08 May 2024
08 May 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People (Cass Review)
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 Scottish Government, which includes paediatric, pharmacy and scientific expertise, is carrying out that careful consideration. As Parliament would expect, that work is already under way. The chief medical officer will provide a written update to Parliament on the outcome of that clinical consideration process before the summer recess.
I will take Rachael Hamilton’s intervention now.
In the same item of business
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...