Minutes: 16 December 2025

1. Decisions on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 4 and 5 in private.

2. Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence from—

Dr George Fernie, Senior Medical Reviewer and Caldicott Guardian, Healthcare Improvement Scotland Certification Review Service;

Annemarie MacAlpine, President, Association of Registrars of Scotland;

Jim Murdoch, Senior Manager, Wellbeing Planning and Performance, East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership;

and then (following item 3) from—

Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health and Women's Health, Rachel Coutts, Lawyer, Owen Griffiths, Legislation Team Leader, Alison McLeod, Lawyer, Katrina McNeill, Team Leader - Burial and Cremation, and Lucy Orren, Lawyer, Scottish Government.

Dr Sandesh Gulhane declared an interest as a practising NHS GP.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

National Health Service (General Dental Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025

Dr Sandesh Gulhane declared an interest as a practising NHS GP.

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

4. Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

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

5. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme and agreed to write to the Scottish Government to request an update on progress towards delivering health checks for people with learning disabilities across Scotland.