The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 1012 contributions
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 19 March 2024
Emma Harper
On extending or reducing zones—when we build new hospitals or stop current hospitals from providing the care that they deliver—the provisions in the bill on ministers’ ability to extend or reduce zones rather than that decision going through further parliamentary scrutiny or statutory instruments raised concerns. Should there be further oversight, not just of ministers extending and reducing zones, but in terms of going through a further parliamentary process?
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 12 March 2024
Emma Harper
Thank you. I am not sure whether others want to come in.
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 12 March 2024
Emma Harper
How would we communicate to the public that a safe zone exists?
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 12 March 2024
Emma Harper
My next question is on allowing flexibility for the 200m zone to be reduced or extended, depending on where healthcare is provided. Last week, we heard that the Chalmers sexual health centre is next to a high school. The situation in an urban area might be different from that at Dumfries and Galloway royal infirmary, which I know well and which is pretty rural. It is more than 200m from the perimeter of the campus there to the front doors. There are two front doors—one for midwifery and maternity and one for general visits.
What are your thoughts on the proposal to have a 200m zone, and the ability to extend or otherwise alter it, depending on where the healthcare facility is located?
11:45Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 12 March 2024
Emma Harper
Good morning, everybody. We have heard a lot about abortion clinics from various witnesses. My understanding is that we do not have stand-alone abortion clinics in Scotland; we have premises that provide healthcare for women. I am interested in hearing about purposeful influencing outside premises that provide a range of healthcare, which could include counselling. Would vigils be needed outside premises, if you could be guaranteed that women were being provided with the range of counselling, other services and knowledge to allow them to make the best and most informed healthcare decisions?
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 12 March 2024
Emma Harper
Good morning. I am interested in pursuing questions on the definition of “protected premises” in the bill. There is a future-proofing aspect that might, down the line, include general practices and pharmacies. What do you think about the definition of “protected premises”?
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 12 March 2024
Emma Harper
I see Eilidh Dickson nodding.
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 12 March 2024
Emma Harper
It might bring attention to an area that is providing healthcare for women. The subject of signage has come up, for example. What are your thoughts on how we should communicate with the public on zones and behaviours?
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee 5 March 2024
Meeting date: 5 March 2024
Emma Harper
So, passing the bill would provide assurance to people accessing healthcare services that they will not encounter protests influencing them in accessing the service.
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee 5 March 2024
Meeting date: 5 March 2024
Emma Harper
Legislation elsewhere specifies 150m or 50m, but 200m is proposed in the bill. Professor Cameron, do you have any thoughts on that? You talked about how your facility is a very busy place with a high school next door, so we might have to consider such circumstances.