Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government did not reject any of the recommendations from the Transvaginal Mesh Case Record Review.

Recommendations 1, 2 and 5 were about how similar case record reviews might be conducted, and in particular how they might be conducted in a more cost-effective fashion. The Government has no plans to conduct further case record reviews.

Recommendations 3 and 16 were about training of General Practitioners and surgeons. Training about transvaginal mesh and possible complications has been made available to GPs in Scotland, and we continue to support the introduction of a GMC credential in mesh removal surgery.

Recommendation 4 was about a registry. It is being implemented by the establishment of a Scottish Pelvic Floor Registry and Audit Programme by Public Health Scotland. It will collect, understand, and measure data to improve pelvic floor services for women in Scotland, and contribute Scottish data to the UK-wide registry being progressed by NHS England. The SPFRAP will begin collecting data in 2026, with the first report expected in 2027.

Recommendations 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 18 were about communication to and decision making with patients. NHS Scotland seeks to exemplify the implementation of these recommendations through the operation of the NHS Scotland Complex Mesh Surgical Service (CMSS). The CMSS forms part of a national, published patient pathway and its services are explained on a dedicated website and through other information resources. It places patient-centred decision-making at its core, ensuring that patients have access to high-quality decision aids, sufficient time to consider their options, and support in reaching a final decision about their treatment. Patients are contacted in advance of attending the service, encouraged to bring a companion, and invited to record consultations. All decisions are documented to ensure clarity between patient and clinician, and patients are offered postoperative photographs showing the mesh that has been removed. The service is committed to continuous improvement and regularly surveys patient experience. More generally, the Chief Medical Officer wrote, on October 2023, to Health Boards highlighting the report and emphasising the importance of fully informed consent in all circumstances. With respect to patients returning from the independent sector surgeons, these individuals will receive two follow-up telephone or video calls from their surgeon or specialist nurse post-operation. Any further aftercare will be provided by the patient’s local Health Board.

Recommendation 19 was about guidance on significant adverse events. Healthcare Improvement Scotland continues to improve guidance on significant adverse events.

Recommendations 20 and 21 were about collaboration between mesh centres in the UK. The CMSS in Glasgow continues to collaborate with other UK mesh centres to share and disseminate best practice.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-41296 on 10 November 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-41296 on 10 November 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

A ‘South Asian production’ is a broad term which could span various languages, countries, art forms, and cultural contexts.

Generally the region is defined to include: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Regarding organisations and individuals that specifically described their project as ‘South Asian’ or referred to one of the countries that form South Asia, the following is a breakdown of the funding awards since 2022-23:

2022-23

• 19 approved awards for combined value of £413,653
• 10 unsuccessful applications requesting combined value of £229,635

Of these unsuccessful applications, 2 were recommended for funding (requesting £33,092)

2023-24

• 15 approved awards for combined value of £470,229
• 19 unsuccessful applications requesting combined value of £326,521

Of these unsuccessful applications, 12 were recommended for funding (requesting £203,081)

2024-25

• 19 approved awards for combined value of £367,359
• 27 unsuccessful applications requesting combined value of £1,087,174

Of these unsuccessful applications, 8 were recommended for funding (requesting £246,983)

2025-26 (to date)

• 6 approved awards for combined value of £91,199
• 4 applications that are pending decision for combined value of £202,882
• 8 unsuccessful applications requesting combined value of £138,302

Of these unsuccessful applications, 3 were recommended for funding (requesting combined value of £70,682)

A ‘South Asian production’ is a broad term which could span various languages, countries, art forms, and cultural contexts.

Generally the region is defined to include: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Regarding organisations and individuals that specifically described their project as ‘South Asian’ or referred to one of the countries that form South Asia, Creative Scotland has awarded a combined total of over £1.33m to 59 successful projects since 2022-23 to date.

The total funding awards broken down by year are as follows:

2022-23

• 19 approved awards for combined value of £413,653

2023-24

• 15 approved awards for combined value of £470,229

2024-25

• 19 approved awards for combined value of £367,359

2025-26 (to date)

• 6 approved awards for combined value of £91,199

A ‘South Asian production’ is a broad term which could span various languages, countries, art forms, and cultural contexts.

Generally the region is defined to include: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Regarding organisations and individuals that specifically described their project as ‘South Asian’ or referred to one of the countries that form South Asia, Creative Scotland has received a total of 131 funding applications since 2022-23 to date. 59 applications were successful in receiving funding, 64 applications were unsuccessful and four applications are currently pending a decision.

The total funding awards broken down by year are as follows:

2022-23

• 19 approved awards for combined value of £413,653
• 10 unsuccessful applications requesting combined value of £229,635

2023-24

• 15 approved awards for combined value of £470,229
• 19 unsuccessful applications requesting combined value of £326,521

2024-25

• 19 approved awards for combined value of £367,359
• 27 unsuccessful applications requesting combined value of £1,087,174

2025-26 (to date)

• 6 approved awards for combined value of £91,199
• 4 applications that are pending decision for combined value of £202,882

The reasons are set out below.

Dedicated administrative support unit within the Scottish Government to support all commissioned reviews (recommendations 3 and 40)

From both logistical and governance perspectives, the Directorate responsible for the subject matter of the inquiry or review is best placed to provide the sponsor team. There are insufficient numbers of inquiries and reviews to justify the creation of a dedicated administrative unit with no other function. Establishing such a unit would likely lead to duplication of costs and effort, as it would still need to rely heavily on the expertise of policy officials within the relevant Directorates.

The chair should draft the remit and terms of reference (recommendation 6)

Although inquiries and reviews are independent of Government, they exist to investigate matters set out by Ministers in the terms of reference. The terms of reference of an inquiry are one of the principal means by which Ministers can control the costs of an inquiry. Although they are always discussed with the proposed chair of an inquiry, Ministers must have the final say in order that the terms of reference are not inappropriately wide, leading to a prolonged and more expensive inquiry – potentially attracting further criticism.

Appointment of chair to be open and transparent (recommendation 18)

The appointment of a chair involves careful discussions with potential candidates to assess their suitability and willingness to undertake the role. These discussions take into account factors such as the anticipated duration and complexity of the inquiry, and other relevant considerations, including the potential for adverse personal publicity.

While transparency is important, experience shows that open public appointment processes are not typically suited to the timescales and expectations associated with inquiries and reviews. These processes can be lengthy and may not align with the need for timely commencement and delivery of such work.

Template which standardises what is presented at the end of a review (recommendation 42)

The presentation of an inquiry’s report is a matter for the chair. Given the wide range of subjects that inquiries and reviews may address, a standard template could not accommodate the diversity of issues and contexts involved. Flexibility allows chairs to structure their reports in a way that best serves the purpose and clarity of their findings and recommendations.