Chamber and committees

I want to go round everyone on that question. Have you been involved in the co-design work that has taken place so far, and how would you see yourselves being involved after the bill is passed and once the co-design process begins?

That is helpful and it is a good start to the conversation about what we need to keep, where the gaps are and what our aspirations are for reform.

Before I hand over to my colleagues, I have a question for Rachel Cackett. Rachel, in your submission, you make some points about the notion of care boards and some recommendations as to what you would like them to look like. Given what we have heard about two areas where the bodies are, in effect, already working like care boards, it seems that there is good practice. From your perspective, what do you want to see in relation to care boards?

Sandra MacLeod wants to make a specific point.

We have touched on national and local governance arrangements, but we have specific questions on that area from Emma Harper and Paul O’Kane.

I thank all four witnesses for giving their time this morning in what has been a very helpful session. As I told the other panel of witnesses, it is great to hear your recommendations and ideas about what you want the bill and the national care service to look like.

At our next meeting, which will be on the afternoon of Monday 5 December, the committee will continue its scrutiny of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill with two more evidence-taking sessions. I should also say that it will be an external meeting in Glasgow.

That concludes the public part of today’s meeting.

Even though you proved that you can be trusted.

There has to be flexibility to meet need.

Stephanie Callaghan has some questions about housing and care.

You are talking about something more inclusive, with the resources being in place for the support that would enable that to happen.