Meeting of the Parliament 17 March 2026 [Draft]
I rise to close the stage 3 debate on the Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives. This is a significant piece of legislation that seeks to bring much-needed order to two different yet equally vital areas of Scottish life—the rapidly expanding aesthetics industry and the sensitive processes surrounding the certification of death.
I turn to part 1 of the bill. We must acknowledge that Scotland’s non-surgical sector is a genuine success story. It is a fast-growing industry and, notably, it is predominantly female owned and led, and we should celebrate that. However, for too long, the sector has operated in a regulatory vacuum. The absence of a robust framework does a disservice to many high-quality professional businesses that operate across our communities. When untrained individuals use unlicensed products in unvetted settings, it does not just put the public at risk, it undermines the reputation of responsible professional providers who strive for excellence.
Working alongside the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Non-surgical Procedures) Order 2026, the legislation will allow for a two-tiered approach that is proportionate to risk level. Low-risk procedures, such as superficial chemical peels or microneedling at shallow depths, can be regulated through premises-based licensing. Higher-risk procedures, such as Botox, thread lifts and deeper chemical peels, will rightly require a clear focus on the competence and oversight of the individual who is administering the treatment.
Although consumer safety is at the heart of the bill, applying regulation to an established and diverse industry for the first time is a complex challenge. We have to strike the right balance: if we move too fast or burden businesses with an excessive bureaucratic process, we risk creating a flawed system that can be exploited by unscrupulous operators, and that might deter professionals from working in the sector.
I have been clear throughout this process: we need well-designed regulations that improve safety for customers without making compliance an impossible financial or administrative burden for reputable businesses.
The Scottish Government needs to go further. It needs to heed the warnings from the Federation of Small Businesses. In developing the regulations, there is more work to be done alongside small businesses, such as remote clinical oversight or a national accreditation pathway for trained non-medical practitioners. Small businesses are not short on solutions; they just need a Government that is willing to listen to them.
Part 2, which amends the Certification of Death (Scotland) Act 2011, is a less contentious but deeply important part of the bill. By expanding the types of medical certificates of cause of death that can be reviewed, we provide greater clarity and reassurance for grieving families.
The bill is a step in the right direction. If we can get the regulations right—making them proportionate, workable and focused on safety—we can support innovation, protect customers and provide a solid foundation for the sector’s future.