Seòmar agus comataidhean

I thank the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health and Greig Chalmers for their attendance this morning and for their evidence. The committee looks forward to seeing the written responses that the minister and her official have committed to sending to us.

At our meeting next week, we will continue our scrutiny of NHS boards, as well as taking further formal evidence as part of our inquiry into female participation in sport and physical activity. That concludes the public part of our meeting.

That would be helpful, minister. I think that Sandesh Gulhane has a question on this theme.

Thank you, minister. I am aware that we have taken you over the allotted time, but Stephanie Callaghan has one brief question before we finish.

Can you give a timescale for when the leaflet will be available to women?

Carol Mochan has a brief supplementary question.

Good morning, and welcome to the 17th meeting in 2023 of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee. I have received apologies from Paul Sweeney and Emma Harper. James Dornan joins us remotely.

Agenda item 1 is a decision on whether to take item 3 in private. Do members agree to do so?

Members indicated agreement.

Our second agenda item is follow-up scrutiny of the complex mesh surgical service. I welcome Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, and Greig Chalmers, head of the chief medical officer’s policy division at the Scottish Government.

We move straight to questions. Minister, there are plans to create a single patient leaflet that will be available to women at the point of referral to the service. Why is that leaflet not already being designed, given the length of time that the service has been in operation? How will the leaflet clearly explain the various elements of the whole referral and treatment journey, whether patients opt for surgery with the service, NHS England or a private provider?

Tess White has questions on this theme, and she is joining us remotely.

Thank you.

I am sorry, Ms White, but we missed the beginning of your question.