Current Petitions

PE1204, from Jessie Colson, on behalf of the Richard Colson Severe Aplastic Anemia Fund, calls on the Parliament to urge the Government to recognise and promote the life-saving impacts that bone marrow testing and donation can have on people with life-threatening illness and to provide adequate funding to the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service to support bone marrow services and encourage more donors.We have received a submission from the petitioner, which is contained in the additional papers that have been circulated by the clerks for today’s meeting. We had a chance to discuss the petition thoroughly, to explore issues with the SNBTS and to discuss with international representatives broad issues to do with blood transfusion that could have an impact on the process here.Since the petition was addressed, the Government has had the chance to meet the petitioner. A range of discussions have taken place with the Anthony Nolan Trust and the SNBTS about the points that the petitioner has raised. We have opened up dialogue for the petitioner—frustrating though much of her journey has been.I believe that we should close the petition and wish the petitioner well in their discussions with the national agencies. Are members happy to do that?

The letter from the Richard Colson Severe Aplastic Anemia Fund states:“Regarding publicity, we believe that on all major health issues the Scottish Government is responsible to educate and inform its people and not the Anthony Nolan Trust”.I think that we would all agree with that.My information is that it would take only a very small amount of cash, which has already been given down south I think, to promote the life-saving impacts of bone marrow testing. It is good that discussion is continuing, but will the Scottish Government provide that small amount of cash? I think that it is in the region of £15,000; I might be wrong about that, but it is not a huge amount. Although, obviously, I welcome the continuing dialogue, I would like us to ask the Scottish Government that particular question.

Okay, but the immediate issue is whether we want to keep the petition open or to follow the recommendation to close it?

I would rather keep it open for now, because if there is a simple answer to that fairly straightforward question, we can easily close the petition at the next meeting. It is not meant to be an unhelpful question, and it is not a difficult one to answer. Talking is great, but talking plus resources is better.

As there are no further comments, we will keep the petition open, but we want to ensure that we bring it back as soon as possible so that we can decide what to do with it. Is that agreed?Members indicated agreement.