Committee
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee 21 May 2024
21 May 2024 · S6 · Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Item of business
Subordinate Legislation
Healthcare Improvement Scotland (Inspections) Amendment Regulations 2024 [Draft]
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, which states that I am a practising GP. I welcome HIS being able to inspect to a greater extent than it is doing at the moment and to have some more powers in that regard, because, ultimately, we want healthcare to be provided in a safe and efficient manner. However, I point out that a strand of healthcare is being provided by non-registered doctors and nurses—in fact, by beauticians. I am talking about non-surgical procedures such as fillers. Those procedures can have significant side effects and, when they go wrong, it costs the NHS a lot of money to rectify them, but there is no regulation and HIS has no ability to go and look at sites to see whether they are safe and clean. Ultimately, those people are doing what I consider to be medical interventions. How can we ensure that that area is included in the legislation?
In the same item of business
The Convener
SNP
Our third agenda item is consideration of two affirmative instruments. The first instrument is the draft National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (Indepe...
Neil Gray
SNP
I appreciate the opportunity to speak to the two Scottish statutory instruments relating to the regulation of independent healthcare in Scotland. First, the...
The Convener
SNP
Thank you for that statement, cabinet secretary. Sandesh Gulhane has a question.
Sandesh Gulhane
Con
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, which states that I am a practising GP. I welcome HIS being able to inspect to a greater ...
Neil Gray
SNP
The orders do not cover that area, but we are looking to introduce legislation that would cover it, because I share Dr Gulhane’s concern about it. The order...
Sandesh Gulhane
Con
Cabinet secretary, will you look at ensuring that such procedures can done only by people who are already registered, such as doctors and nurses?
Neil Gray
SNP
That goes beyond what is in the orders that are before us today, but I would be happy to have a further conversation with Dr Gulhane about the on-going work ...
The Convener
SNP
Other members of the committee would also find that detail helpful.
Neil Gray
SNP
I am happy to share that with the committee.
The Convener
SNP
I have had no indication that anyone else wishes to ask a question on the instruments, so we move to item 4, which is the formal debate on the instruments on...
Neil Gray
SNP
I have nothing further to add than what was discussed in the debate. I move, That the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee recommends that the National ...
The Convener
SNP
Thank you. Sandesh Gulhane wishes to speak.
Sandesh Gulhane
Con
Although I support the motions that are before us, as I said in my questions, it is important that we understand that, because some people who carry out proc...
Neil Gray
SNP
I am happy to reiterate what I set out earlier: I share Dr Gulhane’s concern and the work is on-going. The regulations take us a step forward, but it is impe...