Scottish Parliament Debate - Baroness Cumberlege Report (8 September 2020)

Summary

This was a debate from the Scottish Parliament on the 8 September 2020 concerning the recommendations in the recently published First Do No Harm report by the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review, chaired by Baroness Cumberlege (also known as the Cumberlege Review).

The debate centred on a motion put forward by Jeane Freeman MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, which read as follows:

That the Parliament welcomes the recommendations made by Baroness Cumberlege in her report on the independent medicines and medical devices safety review; acknowledges the Scottish Government's apology to women and families affected by Primodos, sodium valproate and transvaginal mesh; welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment to establish a Patient Safety Commissioner, and notes the actions taken by the Scottish Government to offer improved services for women who have suffered complications as a result of transvaginal mesh.

Content

During the debate there were contributions from a range of parliamentarians reflecting on the First Do No Harm report and the implementation of its recommendations in Scotland.

Some points of interest from the debate included:

• Jeane Freeman MSP indicated the intention of the Scottish Government to implement the recommendations of the First Do No Harm report which fall within its remit and powers.
• Their discussion about the report's recommendation that specialist centres should be set up to provide comprehensive treatment, care and advice for those affected by implanted mesh. While Jeane Freeman noted that a National Mesh Removal Service had been established in Glasgow last year, Neil Findlay MSP expressed concerns that the levels of coproduction involved in the design and delivery of this service were inadequate.
• Alison Johnstone MSP highlighted the particular impact of these issues on women and noted nthat the findings reflected the ways in which women are disadvantaged in accessed health and social care services.
• In her closing remarks Clare Haughey MSP, Minister for Mental Health, noted the intention to begin a consultation on the Scottish Government's proposal to introduce a Patient Safety Commissioner.

Follow the link below for the full transcript.