Chamber and committees

We have probably taken this petition as far as we can take it in some respects. I propose that we close the petition, under rule 15.7 of standing orders, on the basis that the behaviour that the petition references may already be prosecuted under common law and existing statutory offences.

As you identify, convener, this would appear to be a major problem, and women are being let down. Over the past seven years, and even prior to that, I have had many letters in my mailbag on the issue, and it is fairly moving up the women’s health agenda.

In addition to your suggestions, I suggest that we write to NHS Education for Scotland to seek information on the development of the bespoke training that was mentioned, the framework focused on menopause and how the training is being rolled out to GPs and primary healthcare providers. It seems that the biggest problem that we have is that there is no consistency. Seemingly, women are being dismissed and having to endure and suffer for a number of years. Doing both those things will give us an opportunity to see where we are.

I agree that it is good to have a report that summarises where we are and that does not go into too much detail. It is an important report because it clarifies many areas that we have considered and some that we are continuing to consider.

It is always good to revise and review, which is exactly what we try to do. We have had a number of opportunities to look at the code and at what might be improved or considered. That is still very much where we are. We have not got it right in all aspects—we know that—but we are prepared and willing to test the water and find out where we should go. That comes through fully in the report.

For example, we have brought in proxy voting and ideas about situations in which it might apply. That is all to the benefit not just of the Parliament but of its members. The committee is here to support and protect the members but also to scrutinise them, which is exactly what it does. The report gives that information.

Excellent. Thank you very much for that.

It is important that we get further information from the Scottish Government in relation to a number of issues. One is the advice that has been received from the National Smart Ticketing Advisory Board on how things are progressing; another is the anticipated timetable for the public consultation on the draft vision for public transport; and a third is, as you have said, convener, the action that is being taken to address issues of digital exclusion in the purchasing of rail tickets. It would be useful to have information on those issues to hand when we ascertain how we can take forward the petition.

It is important that we seek more information. I suggest that we write to the Scottish Government to seek information on its plans to review home reports, including the anticipated timetable for any review.

If I can, I will explain that to you, Ann. Reference was made to the complexity of the communication process as a potential barrier. The Royal College of Pathologists felt that offering relatives options for tissue sample handling—Dr Adeley explained how that process is managed—could present a barrier. Have you encountered any challenges around communications and the options for seeking informed consent?

Dr Adeley, you touched on the samples and biopsies that are taken. We have already heard from the Royal College of Pathologists, which talked about the potential challenges that are associated with tissue samples and any returns of those samples. Do you recognise the challenges that the Royal College of Pathologists described when it comes to returning samples? Have you had issues in that area? What are your views on the process?

Mr Torrance has indicated that there is a difficulty here, and there certainly is. The idea of the petition is sound in some ways, but it is not practical in others. The problem that we face is that it would be virtually impossible. We are all aware of the difficulties that local authorities have at the moment; they even have issues with the space that they have for allotments and the land coverage that they keep.

The Scottish Government provides support and funding to enable groups to do some of those things in the community, and that is part of the equation. I concur with David Torrance: I do not see this progressing in the way that the petitioner wants, because it is not practical. It is not feasible in reality to achieve what the petitioner calls for.

That is very good to hear. The communication process was identified as an area of challenge, and you have explained what you do to inform the relatives, the next of kin or individuals who require information and how that is managed. The college found that there were sometimes barriers in communication and in making sure that individuals understood what was expected and what would happen to the samples. It identified that area in its evidence to us.