June 2026

Election 2026 Latest Developments

Since the Election took place in early May, important appointments related to health within the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government have been confirmed.

Cabinet and Ministers

• Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care - Angela Constance MSP 
• Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs - Maree Todd MSP
• Minister for Community Care - Alison Thewliss MSP

These are the main appointments directly related to health, however we recognise that the health outcomes of Scotland's people are influenced by almost all ministerial portfolios. To find out the other cabinet and ministerial appointments, you can visit this webpage. 

Health, Care and Sport Committee

Convenor - Helen McDade MSP (Reform) 

Members: 

• Heather Anderson MSP (SNP)
• Adam Harley MSP (Lib Dem)
• Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill MSP (Greens)
• Joe Long MSP (Labour)
• Paul McLennan MSP (SNP)
• Jack Middleton MSP (SNP)

Full details can be found on the Committee webpage.

Shadow Cabinets and Party Spokespeople 

Scottish Labour:

• Health and Care Spokesperson - Jackie Baillie MSP
• Community Care and Mental Wellbeing Spokesperson - Joe Long MSP
• Public Health and Sport Spokesperson - Irshad Ahmed MSP

Reform UK:

• Health Spokesperson - Helen McDade MSP

Scottish Greens:

• Lead Health Spokesperson - Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill MSP
• Public Health and Sport Spokesperson - Gillian Mackay MSP
• Community Care Spokesperson - Cara McKee MSP

Scottish Conservatives:

• Health and Care Spokesperson - Miles Briggs MSP

Scottish Liberal Democrats: 

• Health and Care Spokesperson - Adam Harley MSP

What Next?

Whilst the parliament goes into recess from 27th June to 30th August, the summer months provide an opportunity to build relationships with new and returning MSPs, and raise their awareness of the issues that matter to you.

We have updated our Election 2026 Toolkit to provide useful information about identifying your local MSPs and guidance on getting in touch with them, including a template letter. 

Visit the Election 2026 Toolkit

VHS Policy News

(IN)VISIBLE Sex, Gender, and Health Research 

On the 19th May we launched our (IN)VISIBLE research report at an online event attended by over 80 people. The report utilises evidence and insight from third sector organisations to identify key themes in the relationship between sex/gender and health. So far, the research has led to a number of fruitful connections with researchers and third sector organisations. A Policy Briefing on the research will be shared with MSPs in the coming weeks. 

Access the full report and a useful summary on our (IN)VISIBLE webpage. 

I also wrote a blog for Engender on the (IN)VISIBLE findings for women specifically.

Health Policy Officers Network Meeting

On the 27th May we hosted an in-person meeting of the Health Policy Officers Network (HPON) at our Edinburgh office. Members discussed the implications of the election and identified opportunities for peer support and collective influence. 

Find out more about the HPON on our Policy and Public Affairs webpage. 

Right to Breaks for Unpaid Carers Consultation Response

On the 22nd May we submitted our response to the Scottish Government's consultation on the implementation of the right to breaks for unpaid carers. We reflected on the importance of language in defining 'short breaks', and advised against overly prescriptive approaches. 

Read our consultation response now.

Open Call: Women's Health Minister

VHS signed an open call to the First Minister, alongside 34 other organisations, to reinstate the Women's Health Minister. In a LinkedIn post on the topic, we stated that:

'Our recent (IN)VISIBLE research report surfaced evidence of misogyny experienced by women in Scotland's health system, as well as pervasive health inequalities. A lot of progress has been made with the Women's Health Plan, but further action is required to address the deep-rooted barriers that still exist.'

Maree Todd has since insisted that she is 'definitely' the Women's Health Minister. 

Right to Food Commission

We attended an event in Glasgow on the 11th June to inform the work of the Right to Food Commission, convened by Ian Byrne MP. This was a fantastic event with representation from across civil society in Scotland. 

There is still time to submit evidence to the Commission - the deadline is 30th June 2026. You can find out more at the Right to Food Commission website. 

Wider Policy Developments and Publications

The following is a summary of relevant policy developments, but it is not an exhaustive list. Please contact me if you want to speak about something not listed here. 

Social Media Ban for Young people

The UK Government has pledged to ban certain social media platforms for under-16s, as well as additional restrictions, to 'protect kids' and to give children 'back their childhoods'. This follows the pledge earlier in the month from Mairi McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Education, to restrict mobile phone use in Scottish schools. 

Government debate: strengthening partnership with the Third Sector

On the 16th June, a debate will be held in the Scottish Parliament regarding the need for a stronger partnership with Scotland's Third Sector. VHS have submitted a briefing to a select group of MSPs to inform the debate. 

Government to introduce public service renewal bill in first 100 days

During a Scottish Government debate on Public Service Reform, Ivan McKee MSP, the cabinet secretary for Public Service Reform, confirmed that the Government will publish plans for and introduce a bill on public service renewal to Parliament within its first 100 days. He pledged that staff, service users, and communities would have a say in change. McKee also said that the Government would reform the national performance framework and tag preventative spending in future budgets.

Independent review of maternity services

Angela Constance has announced an independent review of maternity services across Scotland, which will be chaired by Professor Christine McCourt, Professor of Maternal and Child Health at City St George’s, University of London. The review is expected to begin after the summer and report within nine months.

Quarter of Scottish adults have poor mental health

Nearly a quarter of Scottish adults are experiencing poor mental health, according to new data released by the Mental Health Foundation (MHF).
The State of UK Mental Health Inequality Report shows that in 2024/25, 1.1 million, or 24.6% of all Scottish adults were experiencing poor mental health. 

Helen McDade MSP to lead debate on undiagnosed ADHD and autism 

On Wednesday 17 June, Helen McDade will lead a Members’ Business Debate on the Cost of Undiagnosed ADHD or Autism in Outcomes and Life Chances.

The cost of unpaid caring

Unpaid carers across Edinburgh and Lothian are being pushed into poverty by rising living costs, lost income, and inadequate support according to a new report, The Cost of Unpaid Caring in Scotland, published by Voice of Carers Across Lothian (VOCAL).

Swinney pledges expansion of community mental health support

John Swinney has pledged to expand community-based mental health support, and said the Scottish Government would work with SAMH and other third-sector organisations to expand community-based services.

CAMHS waiting time target met

The Scottish Government has announced that over 90% of children and young people referred to specialist mental health services in Scotland are now starting treatment within 18 weeks, according to new figures. One in two young people now starts treatment within six weeks, while waits of more than 18 weeks have fallen to their lowest level since 2013.

Final recommendation on prostate cancer screening

The UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) has published its final recommendation determining that most men should not be offered prostate cancer screening. Prostate Cancer Research said that it strongly disagreed with the decision, arguing that the recommendation excluded most men at elevated risk, including Black men and those with a family history of prostate cancer.

Relevant Consultations

Protections in the justice system for women and girls – Closing 19th June

Right to Food Commission - Closing 30th June