Seòmar agus comataidhean

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 could have the potential not only to address gaps in a largely unregulated sector, but to greatly improve patient safety, as has been said. With the growth in the non-surgical cosmetic procedures industry, a worrying gap has been highlighted in essential regulation to protect people. For too long, the industry has operated without proper safety, accountability and professional standards in place, and that has allowed many to take advantage of some of our consumers.

Just to be clear, I know that many practitioners seek to keep the sector professional and practise at a high standard—this is about the need for proper accountability and regulation. The unaccountability and lack of regulation must come to an end and introducing further restrictions is a necessary step towards improving patient safety, which is the top priority.

As I have said, Scottish Labour recognises that the bill is not perfect and that there are a number of concerns about supporting the move to a new era of regulation, safety and standards that must be addressed at stage 2. I recognise that the minister has committed to doing that. We want fair and appropriate regulation that ensures the highest standards in patient safety, while supporting those providers who deliver a professional and safe service.

A key concern that was raised during the committee’s evidence gathering was about the inconsistencies in the training and qualifications of people who provide non-surgical procedures. There was consensus on the need for robust training and national standards to be put in place to ensure clarity and consistency. I hope that the minister will be able to give some feedback on that in her closing remarks, because the committee made it clear that the establishment of clear and appropriate standards will be critical to the bill’s implementation.

In addition, serious concerns were raised about whether the sanctions for committing offences under the bill went far enough and whether they would act as a strong enough deterrent for bad actors who are willing to commit repeat offences. I welcome the fact that the Government has recognised those concerns and is considering what more can be done to address them.

An equally important issue for compliance is whether providers are being given enough support to help them ensure that they follow the law. The Government has been unable to provide any detail on what such guidance would look like, and it has not been able to confirm whether businesses will receive financial support for some of the transitions that will be necessary. We hope that that will be covered at stage 2, and I would welcome any comments from the minister to indicate that we might be able to work together on that.

As well as providing guidance for providers, the bill presents a welcome opportunity—

Of course.

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 the appropriate funding and support for that work.

The committee also discussed the fact that the bill gives us a great opportunity to educate the public on the standards and qualifications that they should look for when they want to have such procedures carried out. We heard that many people might not understand the risks associated with the procedures, know which procedures are regulated, or know how they can ensure that their practitioner has been verified as a qualified practitioner and that the premises have been verified as safe. One witness who gave evidence to the committee argued that public awareness is extremely important and will be fundamental in enabling the bill to work effectively. Therefore, I ask the Government to take that issue seriously and to provide appropriate resources to ensure that we can increase public awareness.

I will close now, because I know that I am over time. As I have said, Scottish Labour supports the bill, and we look forward to working with other members to get it right at stage 2.

16:07

Our hard-working NHS staff always do the best that they can, but they are being driven to burnout. Protecting the wellbeing of staff is a vital part of ensuring that patients get the care and support that they need, but we are facing a workforce wellbeing crisis. What tangible action will the First Minister take in response to the issue of staff who are thinking about retiring early and leaving Scotland’s NHS—because of burnout, and not because they wish to? We really need their skills, and we should value their experience.

I was part of the evidence taking, and, with regard to this part of the bill, there was a strong emphasis on what protections there are, because there could be interactions or reactions, and on the importance of having a medical person there for that situation. There was also discussion about the premises, but, absolutely, there was stuff about how we protect the public if there are complications.

Of course.

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 the appropriate funding and support for that work.

The committee also discussed the fact that the bill gives us a great opportunity to educate the public on the standards and qualifications that they should look for when they want to have such procedures carried out. We heard that many people might not understand the risks associated with the procedures, know which procedures are regulated, or know how they can ensure that their practitioner has been verified as a qualified practitioner and that the premises have been verified as safe. One witness who gave evidence to the committee argued that public awareness is extremely important and will be fundamental in enabling the bill to work effectively. Therefore, I ask the Government to take that issue seriously and to provide appropriate resources to ensure that we can increase public awareness.

I will close now, because I know that I am over time. As I have said, Scottish Labour supports the bill, and we look forward to working with other members to get it right at stage 2.

16:07

I was part of the evidence taking, and, with regard to this part of the bill, there was a strong emphasis on what protections there are, because there could be interactions or reactions, and on the importance of having a medical person there for that situation. There was also discussion about the premises, but, absolutely, there was stuff about how we protect the public if there are complications.

Our hard-working NHS staff always do the best that they can, but they are being driven to burnout. Protecting the wellbeing of staff is a vital part of ensuring that patients get the care and support that they need, but we are facing a workforce wellbeing crisis. What tangible action will the First Minister take in response to the issue of staff who are thinking about retiring early and leaving Scotland’s NHS—because of burnout, and not because they wish to? We really need their skills, and we should value their experience.

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 could have the potential not only to address gaps in a largely unregulated sector, but to greatly improve patient safety, as has been said. With the growth in the non-surgical cosmetic procedures industry, a worrying gap has been highlighted in essential regulation to protect people. For too long, the industry has operated without proper safety, accountability and professional standards in place, and that has allowed many to take advantage of some of our consumers.

Just to be clear, I know that many practitioners seek to keep the sector professional and practise at a high standard—this is about the need for proper accountability and regulation. The unaccountability and lack of regulation must come to an end and introducing further restrictions is a necessary step towards improving patient safety, which is the top priority.

As I have said, Scottish Labour recognises that the bill is not perfect and that there are a number of concerns about supporting the move to a new era of regulation, safety and standards that must be addressed at stage 2. I recognise that the minister has committed to doing that. We want fair and appropriate regulation that ensures the highest standards in patient safety, while supporting those providers who deliver a professional and safe service.

A key concern that was raised during the committee’s evidence gathering was about the inconsistencies in the training and qualifications of people who provide non-surgical procedures. There was consensus on the need for robust training and national standards to be put in place to ensure clarity and consistency. I hope that the minister will be able to give some feedback on that in her closing remarks, because the committee made it clear that the establishment of clear and appropriate standards will be critical to the bill’s implementation.

In addition, serious concerns were raised about whether the sanctions for committing offences under the bill went far enough and whether they would act as a strong enough deterrent for bad actors who are willing to commit repeat offences. I welcome the fact that the Government has recognised those concerns and is considering what more can be done to address them.

An equally important issue for compliance is whether providers are being given enough support to help them ensure that they follow the law. The Government has been unable to provide any detail on what such guidance would look like, and it has not been able to confirm whether businesses will receive financial support for some of the transitions that will be necessary. We hope that that will be covered at stage 2, and I would welcome any comments from the minister to indicate that we might be able to work together on that.

As well as providing guidance for providers, the bill presents a welcome opportunity—