1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee decided to take item 4 in private.

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instruments—

Novel Foods (Authorisations) and Smoke Flavourings (Modification of Authorisations) (Scotland) Regulations 2022

National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments and General Ophthalmic Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2022

National Health Service (Vocational Training for Dentists) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2022

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instruments. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government for further information on the National Health Service (Vocational Training for Dentists) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2022.

3. Health Inequalities:

The Committee took evidence from—

Toni Groundwater, Head of External Engagement, Families Outside;

Karen Lewis, Manager, The Hub, Dumfries and Galloway;

Richard Meade, Director, Carers Scotland;

Dr Sharon Wright, Professor, University of Glasgow.

4. Health Inequalities:

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