Minutes: 25 March 2025

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 6 in private. The Committee also agreed to consider its work programme in private on 1 April, and consider a draft Stage 1 report on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill in private at future meetings.

2. Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Eddie Follan, Chief Officer, Health and Social Care, COSLA;

Dr Sue Galea-Singer, Clinical Lead, Addiction Services, NHS Fife;

Flora Ogilvie, Public Health Consultant, NHS Lothian;

Gillian Robertson, Service Manager, Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership;

and then from—

Pamela Dudek, Independent Chair, Dundee Alcohol and Drug Partnership;

Liam Wells, Lead Officer, East Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership;

Kelda Gaffney, Chair and Interim Assistant Chief Officer of Adult Services, Glasgow City Alcohol and Drug Partnership.

Clare Haughey declared an interest as holding a bank nurse contract with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Elena Whitham declared an interest as a former East Ayrshire councillor and COSLA spokesperson.

David Torrance declared an interest as a Trustee of Fife alcohol support services.

Dr Sandesh Gulhane declared an interest as a practising NHS GP.

3. Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee considered written testimonies on the Bill received from individuals living with a terminal illness.

Dr Sandesh Gulhane declared an interest as a practising NHS GP and as chair of the Medical Advisory Group set up to advise and inform the member in charge of the Bill in advance of its introduction.

4. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Health and Care Professions Council (Miscellaneous Amendments) Rules Order of Council 2025

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

5. Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 1 and the evidence heard at the previous week's meeting.

6. Finance and Public Administration Committee Budget Process Inquiry (In Private):

The Committee agreed correspondence to the Finance and Public Administration Committee Budget Process Inquiry.