Minutes: 17 February 2026

1. Decisions on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 9, 10 and 11 in private.

2. Food Standards Scotland and the first national Good Food Nation Plan:

The Committee took evidence from—

Heather Kelman, Chair, and Geoff Ogle, Chief Executive, Food Standards Scotland;

Professor Mary Brennan, Director of Living Good Food Nation Lab, University of Edinburgh.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Community Care (Personal Care and Nursing Care) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2026 from—

Tom Arthur, Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing, Ian Turner, Deputy Director, Adult Social Care Workforce and Fair Work, and Christina McLaren, Unit Head, Fair Work in Adult Social Care, Scottish Government.

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

4. Subordinate legislation:

Tom Arthur (Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing) moved—

S6M-20534—That the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee recommends that the Community Care (Personal Care and Nursing Care) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2026 be approved.

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

After debate, the motion was agreed to.

5. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Care Home Services (Visits to and by Care Home Residents) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 from—

Tom Arthur, Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing, Jennifer Gilmour, Team Leader, Social Care Immediate Response and Improvement, Fiona Hodgkiss, Unit Head, Social Care Immediate Response and Improvement, and Laura Kennedy, Solicitor, Scottish Government.

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

6. Subordinate legislation:

Tom Arthur (Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing) moved—

S6M-20536—That the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee recommends that the Care Home Services (Visits to and by Care Home Residents) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 be approved.

The motion was agreed to.

7. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instruments—

National Health Service (Functions of the Common Services Agency) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Order 2026

NHS Education for Scotland and Common Services Agency (Transfer of Staff) Regulations 2026

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

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

8. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following proposed draft order—

Proposed Draft Order: The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 Remedial Order 2026

The Convener declared an interest as a registered mental health nurse and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde bank staff nurse.

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the proposed draft order.

9. Subordinate legislation (In Private):

The Committee considered a draft report on the Community Care (Personal Care and Nursing Care) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2026 and agreed to delegate to the Convener responsibility for finalising the draft report for publication.

10. Subordinate legislation (In Private):

The Committee considered a draft report on the Care Home Services (Visits to and by Care Home Residents) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 and agreed to delegate to the Convener responsibility for finalising the draft report for publication.

11. Food Standards Scotland and the first national Good Food Nation Plan (In Private):

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