Minutes: 24 September 2024

1. Decisions on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 4 and 5 in private, and to consider oral evidence on the National Care Service Bill, taken at future meetings, in private at those meetings.

2. National Care Service (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Stage 2 from—

Keir Greenaway, Senior Organiser, GMB Scotland;

Simon Macfarlane, Regional Manager, UNISON;

Katie MacGregor, Policy and Public Affairs Lead, Royal College of Occupational Therapists, Allied Health Professions Federation Scotland (AHPFS);

Colin Poolman, Director, Royal College of Nursing Scotland;

and then from—

Pauline Lunn, Director, In Control Scotland, National SDS Collaboration;

Stephen Morgan, Chief Social Work Officer for Dumfries and Galloway, Social Work Scotland;

Frank Reilly, Independent Advisor (Adults and NCS), Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW).

Sandesh Gulhane declared an interest as a practising NHS GP.

Joe FitzPatrick declared an interest as the Minister responsible for taking forward the Verity House Agreement.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

National Health Service (Free Prescriptions and Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instrument.

4. National Care Service (Scotland) Bill (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2.

5. Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill (in private):

The Committee considered its approach to the scrutiny of the Bill at Stage 1. The Committee agreed to consider a revised approach at its next meeting.