Hansard

I thank the committee for giving me the opportunity to speak to the draft Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Skin Piercing and Tattooing) Amendment Order 2026. The instrument will amend an order made in 2006 that is used by local authorities to license and inspect any business that provides skin piercing or tattooing in Scotland and which lays out a number of requirements that are aimed at reducing the health risks to the public when accessing such procedures.The amending order will remove the requirements for acupuncture therapists to wear disposable non-latex gloves when treating someone whom they know to be living with a blood-borne virus. Removing those requirements will remove any doubt for those therapists. It will be clear that they should not feel that they need to ask their client whether they are living with a blood-borne virus, which is a question that some people feel uncomfortable to answer. The amendment will also help to reduce the stigma that people living with a blood-borne virus might feel when accessing acupuncture treatment.Other existing requirements to wear disposable non-latex gloves in certain circumstances will remain in place. For example, should the therapist be handling items that are contaminated with blood or bodily fluids, or if they or their client have open lesions, the requirement to wear disposable non-latex gloves will remain. Therapists make the decision on any other reason to wear disposable non-latex gloves through individual risk assessments case by case.Since the original order came into force in 2006, there have been many advances in the treatment of blood-borne viruses. Vaccinations and antiviral medication mean that people can maintain healthy lives through the treatment options that are available. Those advances mean that transmission of HIV has greatly reduced. The hepatitis B vaccination that is offered today for babies and people who are at high risk provides protection against acquisition, and hepatitis C can also now be cleared with medication in most cases.I must highlight that acupuncture is considered a low-risk procedure. Should therapists continue to feel that they need to ask their client about blood-borne viruses and treat them differently if they confirm a positive status, that is no longer considered to be justified, given the advances in treatment and the low risk that is posed by the procedure.Sadly, people living with blood-borne viruses still face forms of stigma every day. The Parliament’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee held a focused inquiry in 2024 on the importance of reducing HIV stigma. It heard from people living with HIV in Scotland, who spoke about the stigma that they encounter and its effects, particularly in healthcare settings.The Scottish Government remains committed to helping to reduce the stigma through promoting the positive impact of effective treatment and prevention that is available today, and by championing the changes that are required to ensure that people who live with blood-borne viruses are not treated any differently from others. The amendment to the 2006 order will assist in ensuring that people are not asked unnecessary questions when they seek treatment and will support us in delivering our commitment.I can advise that, throughout the consultation, no stakeholders objected to amending the 2006 order to remove the provisions, and no evidence was provided to support further amendments to that order. It is not expected that the amendment will have any detrimental effect on businesses in Scotland.Thank you for considering the amendment. I request the committee’s support to progress the order, and I welcome any questions that you might have to assist in your decision.11:00