July 2026

VHS Policy News

Consultation Event: Prioritising Prevention
In the first of a series of events to explore the four asks in our Manifesto for Health Creation, we invite our members and stakeholders to join us as we explore the current policy context regarding prevention in health. We’ll provide information about some of the latest developments before inviting attendees to share their own insights and experiences.

Find out more and register here. 

The information gathered at this session will also inform our responses to Pre-Budget Scrutiny consultations from the Finance and Public Administration Committee and Public Service Reform Committee. See Relevant Consultations section below for more information.

Policy Briefing: Health Inequalities in Scotland
We have sent a briefing to MSPs exploring health inequalities in Scotland, including a summary of the key findings from the (IN)VISIBLE report, some of the policy priorities for addressing health inequalities. A more detailed version was also sent to members of the Health, Care and Sport Committee. Read the briefing here. 

Strengthening Scotland's Partnership with the Third Sector
We published a response to the motion and debate in the Scottish Parliament about establishing a formal partnership with the Third Sector. Read the statement here.

Policy Briefing: (IN)VISIBLE Research
This week we have sent a Policy Briefing to various NHS and government representatives exploring the findings and recommendations detailed in the (IN)VISIBLE Report. Read the briefing here. 

If you have relationships with NHS or government representatives who you think would benefit from reading this briefing, please feel free to share. 

Benefit Take Up Strategy – Engagement Discussion
The Scottish Government is seeking the views of VHS members on how best to maximise take-up of social security entitlements in Scotland. Your input will help shape the next Benefit Take-Up Strategy, due for publication in October. This online event will take place on the 23rd of July, 10-12. Find out more and sign up here.

Women's Health Minister: Joint Call for Reinstatement
VHS signed an open call to the First Minister, alongside 34 other organisations, to reinstate the Women's Health Minister. The First Minister has responded and we are liaising with the other organisations on the next steps. 

Meeting with Helen McDade MSP
Sarah Latto, our External Affairs Lead, had a meeting with the new convenor of the Health, Care and Sport Committee, Helen McDade MSP.  The discussion was productive, with topics including the upcoming Long Term Conditions Framework and the shift to prevention in health and care reform.

Other MSP Meetings
We have further meetings scheduled with Paul McLennan MSP, Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill MSP, and Heather Anderson MSP during the summer months. We are also actively engaging with other MSPs to promote our Manifesto for Health Creation asks and the findings of the (IN)VISIBLE report. 

(IN)VISIBLE Research: TFN Article
The June edition of Third Force News featured a 3-page article summarising our (IN)VISIBLE research published in May. Read the article on pages 28-30 here. 

New Role, Same Policy Focus!
The role of VHS team member Sarah Latto has shifted slightly to include a strategic focus on communications and events. This is reflected in Sarah's new role title as External Affairs Lead. However, Sarah remains the VHS lead for policy and public affairs. 

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. 

MyCare.scot
The Scottish Government has confirmed that MyCare.scot is now available as a free app from Google and Apple app stores.The Scottish Government has also published an equality impact assessment for MyCare.scot. The assessment identifies both positive and negative impacts of the new service and argues that MyCare.scot will support a “fairer” and “more accessible” digital support for patients in Scotland.

Chief Medical Officer for Scotland publishes annual report
The Chief Medical Officer for Scotland has published his annual report for 2025-26, Our Path Ahead, framing the road map for the country’s health and care system. Professor Sir Gregor Smith argues that Scotland is facing both “long-standing” and “rapidly emerging” challenges and called for a move to "careful and kind care".

The Cost of Undiagnosed ADHD or Autism Debate
Helen McDade led a Members’ Business Debate on the cost of undiagnosed ADHD or autism on behalf of Reform UK. She noted that late diagnosis of ADHD is a “major issue” in Scotland and called for research into why cases in adults are rising. The Minister said that the Government would begin engaging with stakeholders to set out a roadmap on implementing the recommendations of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Immunisation uptake rates in children continue to decline
PHS have published their quarterly update on the immunisation uptake rates for children in Scotland. The report highlights that although it remains high, uptake has been gradually declining over time.

Minister calls for review of bowel cancer screening age
According to various news outlets including STV, the Minister for Public Health, Maree Todd MSP, has urged the UK National Screening Committee to review the recommended starting age for bowel cancer screening following a rise in colorectal cancer among under-50s in Scotland.

Report published and funding announced on gambling harm and suicide
PHS has published a gambling harm and suicide case study report which found that the highest number of deaths related to gambling occurred among adults aged 30-39. Additionally, men aged 16-24 were nine times more likely to attempt suicide if they were experiencing harmful gambling, and women were five times more likely. The report comes as the Scottish Government has announced new funding to support people impacted by gambling-related mental health problems.

£1 million funding for charities tackling loneliness
The Scottish Government will invest an additional £1 million of funding for charities supporting people at risk of loneliness, Simita Kumar has announced. The Equalities Minister said that 52 organisations have had their funding extended to 2027 with a further £1.05 million divided between them.

Scotland's Cancer Strategy Evaluation
The Scottish Government has published Scotland’s Cancer Strategy Evaluation report which presents findings and recommendations based on its evaluation of how cancer treatment and support is accessed and experienced by people living in deprived and rural and island areas. Research found that challenges during patient treatment are more pronounced in rural and deprived areas.

Scottish Government to review how it measures poverty targets
The Scottish Government will review the way it measures its legally binding targets to reduce poverty amid warnings they will be missed, the Social Justice Secretary has said. During her Ministerial Statement for the 2025-26 progress report on the tackling child poverty delivery plan yesterday, Shirley-Anne Somerville said current targets were based on income and did not capture the true impact of anti-poverty measures.

£36 million fund to reduce drug and alcohol deaths
The Scottish Government has launched a new fund to contribute towards reducing drug and alcohol deaths. The new Alcohol and Drugs Fund will support the delivery of the Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan 2026 – 2035, and will provide £36.9 million over the next three years to frontline services and organisations working with people affected by harmful substances.

Two Scottish areas receive UK Government funding to tackle obesity
Two Scottish projects aimed at tackling obesity have won funding as part of the UK Government's Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme. Projects in Lanarkshire and Midlothian are amongst 12 in the UK to receive funding of up to £50 million from the UK Government and an additional £35 million from Eli Lilly and Company to deliver innovative ways for people to receive care and reduce pressure on NHS services.

Relevant Consultations

Pre-budget scrutiny 2027–28: the affordability and sustainability of Scotland’s tax and spending plans - Scottish Parliament Finance and Public Administration Committee - closes on 14th August

Pre-budget scrutiny 2027-28: how can the Scottish Budget best advance public service reform? - Scottish Parliament Public Service Reform Committee - closes on 14th August

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

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

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