August 2026

VHS Policy News

Get Involved! Consultation Event: Third Sector Parity
We invite our members and stakeholders to join us on 13th October as we explore parity and partnership between the third sector and the public sector. This is the second in a series of events to explore the four asks in our Manifesto for Health Creation. We’ll provide information about some of the latest policy developments before inviting attendees to share their own insights and experiences. Find out more and register here. 

VHS Conference: Early Bird Tickets available now!
On 2nd November, we'll be holding our Annual Conference at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. This year's theme is Power, Partnership, Perseverance and we'll be celebrating our collective power, strong partnerships, and how our perseverance leads to real, measurable change. Limited early bird tickets are available until the end of August. Book early to secure your place!

Programme for Government Proposals
On the 30th July, we shared four proposals with the Scottish Government for inclusion in the Programme for Government, due to be published in September. Read more here. 

Prioritising Prevention and Pre-Budget Scrutiny Consultations
On the 5th of August, we hosted a consultation event exploring what is required to prioritise prevention. The findings from this event informed our responses to pre-budget scrutiny consultations for both the Finance and Public Administration Committee and the Public Service Reform Committee. You can read our responses here.  

We also intend to publish a policy briefing exploring the contribution of the third sector to the prevention agenda next month. Watch this space!

MSP Meetings
This month we have had successful meetings with Paul MacLennan MSP and Heather Anderson MSP, both from the SNP, and Irshad Ahmed MSP from Scottish Labour, about key issues related to health inequalities. We also have meetings scheduled in the coming weeks with Jack Middleton MSP (SNP) and Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill MSP (Scottish Greens). 

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. 

Drug deaths in Scotland at seven-year low but still highest in the UK
The Scottish Government has published its third annual monitoring report on the National Mission on Drugs 2024-25, showing that drug deaths in 2024 reached their lowest annual number since 2017.

Young women driving rise in type 2 diabetes, experts warn
A study by researchers at Imperial College London has warned that the UK is seeing a worrying increase in women in their twenties developing type 2 diabetes. 

'Missingness' study explores issue of missed appointments
A new study from researchers at the University of Glasgow has said that NHS services should focus on the barriers preventing patients from attending appointments rather than blaming patients. 

Young people urge rethink on Social Media Ban
Over 150 young people and youth organisations in Scotland have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham asking him to rethink plans for a UK-wide social media ban for under-16s. Led by the Scottish Youth Parliament, campaigners warn that a blanket ban could have unintended consequences. 

Survey finds that 40-60% of doctors struggle to provide sufficient care at least once a week
41% of medics and 60% of GPs across the UK are struggling to sufficiently care for patients at least once a week, according to a major survey by the General Medical Council (GMC). The GMC said that figures were linked to “clear emotional strains” for doctors, including guilt, frustration, and a “reduced sense of purpose.”

SPICe briefing provides overview of Scotland’s primary care challenges
A new SPICe briefing has been published into primary care and general practice in Scotland. It provides an overview of continuing pressure on the sector, highlighting increasing demand, workforce challenges, and difficulties in delivering reform, while also outlining recent initiatives and developments.

Scottish Government publishes health and social care data priorities 
The Scottish Government has published its Health and Social Care Statistics Plan for 2026-27, outlining priorities for official statistics, planned publications and improvements to the monitoring of population health, health inequalities and service performance.

Report calls for inquiry into health and social care integration
In their new report, Mental Health at the Fault Line, Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland (RCPiS) has called for the Scottish Government to launch an inquiry into the impact of its integrated health and social care system, arguing that the current structure was limiting the impact of funding intended for mental health services.

Scottish Universities launch study into rural access to healthcare
Researchers at Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) and Glasgow Caledonian University have announced a collaboration with the Scottish Rural and Islands Transport Community to improve access to healthcare for people living in rural Scotland. Improving Net Zero Transport Access to Healthcare in Rural Scotland will investigate the experience of people living in rural areas who face long, complicated journeys to reach healthcare appointments.

Petition calls for mandatory women's health training in the NHS
'Nicola’s Law', named for Nicola Thyne who died by suicide following years of endometriosis pain, would require ongoing education covering menstrual, reproductive and hormonal health, menopause and the psychological impact of chronic pain. Nicola's charity launched the petition because 'many women continue to experience delayed diagnosis, fragmented care, stigma, and a lack of validation when seeking help.'

Research network launched to tackle heart disease
A new research network has been established in partnership with the Scottish Government to tackle Scotland’s high rates of heart disease. The Cardiovascular Academic Network of Scotland (Clans) will receive £5 million from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) - with support from the Scottish Government - and bring together universities, NHS clinicians, and patients to accelerate research and translate discoveries into new treatments.

Report finds major gaps in gambling harm treatment across Scotland
A Scottish Government report has found that gambling harm treatment and support in Scotland is fragmented, with limited access to specialist, evidence-based care. An estimated one in forty of adults in Scotland experience harm from their own gambling, while one in two hundred have access to specialist treatment or support.

CHSS respond to Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme report
In their response to the Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme report,  Chest Heart Stroke Scotland (CHSS) has called on ministers to invest in stroke services, rehabilitation, and recovery support over the course of the next session. The report reveals that 56.7% of stroke patients received an inpatient bundle during 2025, short of the Scottish Government’s target of 80%.

Relevant Consultations

National Strategy for Community Justice: review of 2022 strategy - Scottish Government - closes on 20th August

Protections in the justice system for women and girls - Scottish Government - closes on 31st August

Make Work Pay: employment rights for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children - UK Government - closes on 1st September

Proposed changes to SSSC registration requirements - Scottish Government - closes on 24th September

Tobacco and vapes: packaging, appearance and display - UK Government - closes on 2nd October

Legal Aid Reform - Scottish Government - closes on 13th October

Domestic homicide and suicide review standards - Healthcare Improvement Scotland - closes on 5th November