Minutes: 21 September 2021

1. Declaration of interests:

Sue Webber declared interests as a councillor with the City of Edinburgh Council and a shareholder in MEDinburgh Ltd, a company involved in healthcare sales and marketing which has ceased trading. She also indicated that the salary for her councillor role is donated via the Give as You Earn Scheme directly through HR Payroll.

2. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 6, 7, 8 and 9 in private.

3. Public Health Stakeholder Session

The Committee took evidence from—

Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Professor of Epidemiology, University College London; Professor Harry Burns, Professor Of Practice & Special Adviser and Professor Katherine Smith, Professor of Public Health Policy, Strathclyde University.

4. NHS Stakeholder Session

The Committee took evidence from—

Dr Sue Robertson, Deputy Chair of Scottish Council, British Medical Association; Donald Morrison, General Dental Practitioner, British Dental Association; Ross Barrow, Vice-Chair, Allied Health Professions Federation Scotland; Graeme Henderson, Executive Director of Delivery and Strategic Development, SAMH; Kate Seymour, Head of Advocacy (Geographies), MacMillan Cancer Support; Dr Vipin Zamvar, Chair of Scotland Division, British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin; and Colin Poolman, Scotland Director, Royal College of Nursing.

5. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument— National Health Service (General Medical Services and Primary Medical Services Section 17C Agreements) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021. 

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instrument.

6. Public Health Stakeholder Session

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 3. 

7. NHS Stakeholder Session

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 4.

8. Professional Qualifications Bill (UK Parliament Legislation):

The Committee considered the legislative consent memorandum lodged by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Kate Forbes and agreed to write to the Economy and Fair Work Committee.

9. Health and Care Bill (UK Parliament legislation):

The Committee considered the legislative consent memorandum lodged by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf and agreed to issue a targeted call for views, and invite the Cabinet Secretary to give evidence at a future meeting of the Committee.