VHS Policy News

March 2026

Dear Colleague,

The Scottish Parliament Election is fast approaching! We are continuing to add content to our Election 2026 Toolkit and are inviting VHS members to sign a draft open letter which we’ll share with MSPs after the election.

The bulletin also includes the usual range of relevant policy developments as well as opportunities to shape future policy influence work.

Sarah Latto, Policy and Public Affairs Lead

Get Involved!

Hustings Event - Prevention and Power: Holyrood, Health, and the Third Sector

The Health and Social Care Alliance (The ALLIANCE) and Voluntary Health Scotland (VHS) have joined forces to bring you this important pre-Election online hustings event.

At this panel discussion, representatives from across the political spectrum will share their Party’s approaches for addressing health inequalities and safeguarding the important role of the third sector.

Date: Tuesday 31^st March 2026
Time: 1-3pm
Location: Online (Zoom)

Register Now!

VHS Member? Sign our Movement for Health Creation Open Letter!

We are inviting VHS members to sign an open letter which will be sent to new and returning MSPs after the election. We want as many MSPs as possible to prioritise health creation and health equity during the next parliamentary term. Together our voice is stronger, so sign up now!

Find out more here

*TODAY!* Policy Event: Your Views on the National Performance Framework

The Scottish Government are currently seeking views on the National Performance Framework (NPF) ahead of planned reforms after the Scottish Parliament election in May.

Join us to share your views on what the Scottish Government should be measuring in the NPF, and how the National Outcomes should be used for both decision-making and policy scrutiny.

Sign up here!

Election 2026: Guidance for Third Sector Health Organisations

Ahead of the election in May, VHS has developed a handy Election 2026 Toolkit stacked with useful information and resources for influencing candidates and parties. This includes a letter template, social media graphics, and links to ensure you are campaigning safely and legally.

Long Term Conditions Event

VHS attended a recent event exploring the next steps for the Scottish Government’s Long Term Conditions Framework. We were able to represent the collective interests of VHS members, and Third Sector health organisations more broadly.

Gender and Health Research Launch - Save the Date!

We are in the final stages of drafting a social research report exploring the relationship between sex, gender and health. The research is based on the evidence and insights of over 50 VHS members. The launch event will take place from 1-2pm on the 19th May. Registration opening soon!

Baby Loss Collaborative Parliamentary Reception

Several representatives from VHS attended this inspiring event where members of the collaborative shared their eight recommendations for strengthening support and improve care for families affected by miscarriage and baby loss. The event was hosted by Paul McLennan MSP and was attended by Jenni Minto MSP, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health.

More information here

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.

Member and Stakeholder Manifestos

Many of our members will be publishing manifestos ahead of the Scottish parliament election in May. If you would like your manifesto to be shared in this bulletin, please email it to me.

Below are links to various manifestos of VHS members.

Member and Stakeholder Hustings

Many organisations are holding hustings events on particular themes. Below are details for those that we are aware of:

Palliative Care on the Ballot: An Election Hustings – Marie Curie, Hospice UK, CHAS and Partners - 23^rd March, 6.30pm
Unpaid Carer Hustings – National Carer Organisations – 15^th April, 11.30-13.00, Online

Assisted Dying Bill Rejected by Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament last night voted against the Assisted Dying Bill, tabled by Liam McArthur MSP, by 69 votes to 57. The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill had proposed that terminally-ill, mentally competent adults could seek medical help to end their lives.

Healthy life expectancy in Scotland falls below age 60

New data from the National Records of Scotland shows that people are spending a greater share of their lives in poor health, with healthy life expectancy falling to 59.1 years for men and 59.4 years for women in the 2022-24 period.

Scottish Government publishes second National Islands Plan

The Scottish Government has published the second National Islands Plan, which includes considerable actions for improving health and social care. The focus is on improving access, addressing delayed discharges, and improving mental health.

Scottish Government confirms more site locations for GP walk-in clinics

The Scottish Government has confirmed 12 new sites for GP walk-in clinics. Services will open in Lochee and Benbecula in March, then in Shetland, Stranraer and Hawick in April. A second stage of the roll-out will see the development of three further sites in premises on the high street or former retail sites in East Ayrshire, Clydesdale, and Central Fife.

Accounts Commission stresses the financial challenges facing IJBs

The Accounts Commission has published a report on Integration Joint Board (IJB) finances in 2024-25, urging IJBs and their NHS and council partners to urgently make decisions on where to redesign, reduce or discontinue services.

Women in Scotland face 10-year wait for endometriosis diagnosis

Women in Scotland are waiting an average of 10 years and two months for an endometriosis diagnosis, according to an Endometriosis UK report. The charity said this has increased from eight years and six months in 2020.

Further details on Public Services Delivery Scotland

The Scottish Government has provided details about the new body, Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSD Scotland), which will replace NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) from 1 April 2026.

Cross-committee MSPs share benefits of collaboration on drugs policy

A legacy report has been published by the Criminal Justice Committee, Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, and Social Justice and Social Security Committee. It states that collaboration in scrutinising work to reduce drug deaths allowed Members to consider the impact of policy changes more broadly and more effectively.

New Partnership Delivery Framework published for tackling alcohol and drug harm

The Scottish Government and COSLA have published a Partnership Delivery Framework underpinning Scotland’s response to alcohol and drug harms.

Relevant Consultations

Extension of Freedom of Information in (Scotland) Acts 2002 (FOISA) to private and third sector providers of care home and ‘care at home’ services - Closing 30th March

Right to Breaks for Unpaid Carers - implementation – Closing 22nd May

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

That's all for this month! If you have any questions in the meantime, or suggestions for future editions of this bulletin, please get in touch.