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Agenda item 4 is consideration of one negative instrument. The purpose of the instrument is to amend regulations 4 and 5 of the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965 (Prohibition on Disposal of a Body without Authorisation) Regulations 2015, so that a person who has died in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and whose death is subject to a coroner’s investigation, can be buried or cremated in Scotland, with the consent of the coroner, before the conclusion of the coroner’s investigation and prior to death registration.

At its meeting on 29 October 2024, the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee considered the instrument and made no recommendations on it. No motion to annul has been lodged in relation to the instrument. Do members have any comments?

As members have no comments, I propose that the committee makes no recommendation in relation to the instrument. Do members agree?

Members indicated agreement.

At our next meeting on Monday 11 November, we will continue to take oral evidence as part of the committee’s stage 1 scrutiny of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.

That concludes the public part of our meeting.

You said that there have been occasions when someone has not died in the timeous way that we would have expected. What are the complication rates in Victoria and in Australia as a whole, and what type of complications most commonly occur?

I take your point about complications, so I will not use that word in this next question. Where there are adverse events, for example if someone vomited up part of the medication that they had taken and there were issues or difficulties, are the healthcare professionals around the person allowed to intervene? If someone is on their own or with another person—the legislation being very different—how are people trained to respond? Is there a protocol or guidance in place?

Good morning, and welcome to the 29th meeting in 2024 of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee. I have received no apologies.

Today, we begin our scrutiny at stage 1 of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. By virtue of rule 12.2.3(a) of standing orders, Liam McArthur is attending the meeting as the member in charge of the bill. I welcome you, Liam.

I also welcome to the committee Elena Whitham, who is replacing Ruth Maguire. The first item on our agenda is a declaration by Elena Whitham of any relevant interests.

Moving on, I have some questions about the means of death. The bill does not specify the means of death, other than to say that the person will be provided with an “approved substance”. It does not specify a particular drug. How do you respond to claims that the medications that are used in assisted dying in other jurisdictions are not well researched or evidence based?

I should put on the record that I hold a bank nurse contract with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, as I did not do so at the start of the meeting.

I thank the witnesses for their evidence. I am sure that the committee will find it very helpful in our deliberations on the Cass review. At our next meeting, on 5 November, we will commence taking oral evidence as part of the committee’s stage 1 scrutiny of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.

That concludes the public part of our meeting.

It is absolutely fine if the committee gets an update from you through officials or the minister.

You also touched on what was going to be my third question, on the toxicity regarding some areas of gender identity services. We heard from witnesses in previous sessions about the difficulties that have been experienced in recruiting staff, which have consequently had an impact on waiting lists and will no doubt have an impact on anyone who is on a waiting list, regardless of whether they are a child or young person or an adult.

You touched a little on what would assist in making a career or role in gender identity services more attractive to healthcare professionals. Could you add anything else on that with regard to workforce planning and support for staff to encourage them to consider working in gender identity services, particularly in the proposed new multidisciplinary teams?

I am aware of the Scottish Government’s announcement that it is seeking a UK-wide approach on conversion therapy, which was touched on in the context of the Cass report. Is it possible for the witnesses to give the committee an update on progress towards a UK-wide approach to banning conversion therapies and practices?

Good morning, and welcome to the 28th meeting in 2024 of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee. I have received apologies from David Torrance and Ruth Maguire, and Gordon MacDonald is attending as a substitute.

I welcome to the committee Brian Whittle, who is replacing Tess White. Agenda item 1 is to ask Brian to declare any relevant interests.