Minutes: 10 December 2025

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 4 in private.

2. Consideration of continued petitions:

The Committee considered the following continued petition— 

• PE2099: Stop the proposed centralisation of specialist neonatal units in NHS Scotland. The Committee took evidence from— 

• Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, Kirstie Campbell, Unit Head, Maternity, Neonatal and IVF Policy, and Danielle Le Poidevin, Neonatal Policy Manager, Scottish Government 

and then considered— 

• PE1952: Specialist services for patients with autonomic dysfunction. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2031: Provide insulin pumps to all children with type 1 diabetes in Scotland. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2038: Commission suitable NHS services for people with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hyper mobility spectrum disorders. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2080: Implement the recommended screening guidelines for people with Li Fraumeni Syndrome. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2086: Recognise the vaccine injured and offer appropriate treatment. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2125: End the pause on new NHS building projects and prioritise capital funding for primary care buildings. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE1876: Accurately record the sex of people charged or convicted of rape or attempted rape. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. In closing the petition, the Committee agreed to write to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and the Scottish Prison Service.

• PE1995: Improve support for victims of spiking. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2081: Make chronic kidney disease a key clinical priority. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2102: Require anyone found guilty of rape or sexual assault to be registered as a sex offender. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2145: Bring in compulsory microchipping for cats in Scotland. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2147: Create more women-only homeless accommodation that protects and meets the specific needs of women. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders.           

3. Consideration of new petitions:

The Committee considered the following new petitions— 

• PE2186: Review the Personal Footcare Guidance to ensure equity to access footcare services in rural and remote areas in Scotland. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. In closing the petition, the Committee agreed to write to NHS Highland.  

• PE2174: Stop council tax debt collection. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2179: Strengthen veto powers when assessing Business Improvement District proposals. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2184: Provide BID levy relief to charities and non-profit organisations. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. In closing the petition, the Committee agreed to write to Scotland’s Improvement Districts. 

• PE2189: Remove legal protected status for gulls to help reduce their numbers in residential areas. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders.  

• PE2195: Establish a kindergarten stage in Scottish education. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders.      

4. Consideration of evidence:

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2.