Seòmar agus comataidhean

Thank you for that, Professor Smith—you have gone on to answer my next question.

On my previous question, it would be helpful if you could write to the committee about what discussions have been going on regarding a UK approach.

Thank you.

Agenda item 2 is a decision on taking business in private. Do members agree to take items 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 in private?

Members indicated agreement.

Agenda item 3 is an evidence session as part of our scrutiny of the independent review of gender identity services for children and young people in England and Wales, otherwise known as the Cass review, and the implications of the review for provision of those services in Scotland.

I welcome to the committee Professor Sir Gregor Smith, who is the chief medical officer, Professor Graham Ellis, who is the deputy chief medical officer, and Professor Alison Strath, who is the chief pharmaceutical officer, all from the Scottish Government.

We will move straight to questions, starting with Carol Mochan.

Another issue that you have spoken about—among lots of issues that you have spoken about—is that there has been a lot of consensus between the Scottish Government and COSLA, with a lot of support for lots of parts of the bill as drafted. What will it take to get COSLA back round the table?

If you are very brief.

We continue our scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s proposed stage 2 amendments to the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill with our third panel of witnesses. I welcome Fiona Collie, who is head of public affairs and communications at Carers Scotland; Dr Jim Elder-Woodward OBE, who is co-convener of Inclusion Scotland; Frank McKillop, who is director of governance and policy at Enable Scotland; and Adam Stachura, who is associate director for policy, communications and external affairs at Age Scotland. Jim Elder-Woodward is supported by a representative from Inclusion Scotland.

We move straight to questions.

I call Paul Sweeney.

I thank the witnesses for their attendance. Please feel free to leave the room.

That concludes our further scrutiny of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill ahead of formal stage 2 proceedings. Day 1 of those proceedings is scheduled to take place at the committee’s meeting on Tuesday 26 November. The deadline for lodging stage 2 amendments to the bill will be 12 noon on Wednesday 20 November.

At our next meeting on 29 October, we will take further oral evidence on the independent review of gender identity services for children and young people from the chief medical officer. That concludes the public part of the meeting.

Thank you.