Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting Minutes
7th Meeting, 2024
- Date: Tuesday, March 5, 2024
- Session: 6
- Location: T4.60-CR6 The Livingstone Room
- Meeting opened at: 09:16
- Meeting closed at: 12:05
- Published: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 08:42am
1 Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill:
The Committee took evidence at Stage 1 on the impact of the Bill for those providing abortion services from—
Professor Sharon Cameron, Consultant in Gynaecology and Sexual and Reproductive Health, Chalmers sexual health service, NHS Lothian;
Colin Poolman, Director, Royal College of Nursing Scotland;
Dr Chris Provan, Chair, Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland;
and then on the impact of the Bill for those who will be responsible for enforcement, and management, of safe access zones from—
Simon Brown, Vice-President, Scottish Solicitors Bar Association;
Superintendent Gerry Corrigan, Specialist Operations, G Division, Police Scotland;
Eddie Follan, Chief Officer, Health and Social Care, COSLA;
Lesley Sharkey, Director of Midwifery, NHS Tayside;
Sarah Wallage, Lead clinician for abortion, NHS Grampian.
Sandesh Gulhane declared an interest as a practising NHS GP and a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners.
As Gillian Mackay is the Member in charge of the Bill, Gillian did not participate in the Committee’s scrutiny of the Bill by virtue of Rule 9.13A.2(b). Ross Greer attended in her place, as a Committee substitute by virtue of Rule 12.2A.2.
2 Subordinate legislation:
The Committee considered the following negative instruments—
National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments and General Ophthalmic Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024: The Committee agreed to make no recommendation in relation to this instrument.
National Health Service (Common Staffing Method) (Scotland) Regulations 2024: The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government and to consider the instrument further at a future meeting.
Personal Injuries (NHS Charges) (Amounts) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024: The Committee agreed to make no recommendation in relation to this instrument.
Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Cancellation of Registration and Relevant Requirements) Order 2024: The Committee agreed to make no recommendation in relation to this instrument.
3 Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill (In Private):
The Committee considered the evidence heard under agenda item 1 and agreed to write to Linda Hodges, who was due to represent private hospital abortion service managers, to seek a written response.