Hansard

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,...