Seòmar agus comataidhean

We continue our scrutiny of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill with our second panel of witnesses, who will focus on mental health considerations related to the bill.

I welcome Professor Colin McKay, professor, centre for mental health practice, policy and law research, Edinburgh Napier University; and Dr Stephen Potts, consultant in liaison psychiatry, NHS Lothian, who is representing the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland. The committee has received apologies from Dr Arun Chopra, medical director of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, who would have been the third witness on this panel.

We move straight to questions, and I call Paul Sweeney.

Thank you. I am very conscious of the time, so I ask colleagues to keep their questions concise and our panel members to keep their answers concise and to the point.

Before I ask my questions, I put on record that my entry in the register of members’ interests shows that I hold a bank nurse contract with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

How confident are you that there is an adequate evidence base for the substances used in assisted dying in Canada?

I thank you both for joining us today. You have certainly given the committee a lot of food for thought. I appreciate the time that you have given, and I am sure that your evidence will help us in our consideration of the bill.

At our next meeting, which is tomorrow, Tuesday 12 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 today’s meeting.

Thank you. Brian Whittle is next.

Good evening, and welcome to the 30th meeting of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee in 2024. I have received no apologies.

The first item on our agenda is a decision on whether to take agenda item 3 in private. Do members agree to do so?

Members indicated agreement.

Thanks. When there are complications—if there are complications—are professionals allowed to intervene? What training do they receive on how to respond?

In terms of the security and safety of where substances are kept, am I correct in thinking that the administering physician or healthcare professional is responsible for ensuring the security and safety of the drugs prior to use?

Dr Green wants to come back in.

Grand—thank you very much for that clarity.

I will move on to Elena Whitham, who also joins us online.