VHS Policy News

February 2026

Dear Colleague,

With the Scottish Parliament election fast approaching, I am delighted to share details of how VHS will help to ensure that our members are informed and prepared for the months ahead.

This newsletter will also share a range of relevant policy developments as well as opportunities to shape future policy influence work.

Sarah Latto, Policy and Public Affairs Lead

Election 2026: Toolkit 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. More content will be added to the webpage in the weeks and months to come.

View our Election 2026 Toolkit

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!

Event: Your Views on the National Performance Framework

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.

Date: Wednesday 18th March 2026
Time: 1.30-3pm
Location: Online (Teams)

More information and registration here

VHS Response: Third Sector Partnership

We responded favourably to the Scottish Government pledge to develop a formal agreement with the third sector, subject to the election result in May.

This commitment reflects calls for third sector parity detailed in our Manifesto for Health Creation launched in October 2025.

Read our response

VHS Response: Scottish Budget 2026-27 and Spending Review

VHS published a response to the Budget and Spending Review announced on the 13^th January. We celebrated the focus on prevention and community-based care, however we were frustrated that the Third Sector was not explicitly referenced in commitments related to health and social care.

Read our response

VHS Response: Public Health Scotland Strategy

VHS published a response to the new 10 year Public Health Scotland Strategy launched at the end of January. In particular, we reflected on the strong commitments around health equity and the shift to prevention in the Strategy.

Read our response

CPG on Health Inequalities

The Cross Party Group (CPG) on Health Inequalities held its most recent meeting on the 26^th January 2026 with the theme of Gender and Health. This was the last meeting of the CPG before the Scottish Parliament election in May.

The minutes from this meeting have been published on the CPG webpage.

For more information about the CPG, please contact us.

Diet and Healthy Weight Implementation Plan event

VHS Policy and Public Affairs Lead, Sarah Latto, attended a recent event hosted by Nesta on behalf of the Scottish Government looking at the draft Diet and Healthy Weight Implementation Plan. Sarah was able to reflect the insights of several VHS members, as well as promoting the importance of primary prevention and addressing health inequalities more broadly within the Plan.

Health Policy Officers Network Meeting

Members of the Health Policy Officers Network (HPON) met at the VHS office to discuss opportunities for collective influence ahead of the election, and at future Party Conferences. For more information about the HPON, please contact VHS Policy and Public Affairs Lead, Sarah Latto.

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 send it to me.

Below is a selection of the manifestos we have been sent.

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
Hustings for Women's Equality: Holyrood 2026 - coalition of national women's organisations, including Engender, The Young Women's Movement and Scottish Women's Aid - 30th March, 7pm
Prevention and Power: Holyrood, Health, and the Third Sector – VHS and The ALLIANCE – 31^st March, 1-3pm
Unpaid Carer Hustings – National Carer Organisations – 15^th April, 11.30-13.00, Online

Policy News and Publications

First GP Walk-in Clinic Opens

John Swinney opened Scotland’s first GP walk-in clinic at the Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre on Wednesday 11 February, marking the launch of a new network of services pledged by the Scottish Government.

Women’s Health Plan Phase 2

The Scottish Government has published Phase Two of the Women’s Health Plan for, setting out action for 2026-29 to support the ambition that all women and girls in Scotland should enjoy the best possible health throughout their lives.

Suicide Prevention Action Plan

A new national Suicide Prevention Action Plan has been published, setting out Scotland’s suicide prevention priorities for the next three years. The Plan aims to reduce suicide deaths, address inequalities, and ensure people affected by suicide can access support.

Supporting Children and Young People Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis

The Government has published a Framework for supporting children and young people experiencing a mental health crisis

Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill falls at Stage 1

The Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill was rejected at Stage 1 yesterday, with only Labour and the Greens voting in favour.

National Performance Framework Reform

Kate Forbes has written to the Finance and Public Administration Committee to update MSPs on plans to reform Scotland’s National Performance Framework (NPF), confirming a proposed new wellbeing-focused model and the launch of a stakeholder engagement phase running until 9 April 2026.

Disability Inequalities Evidence review

The Scottish Government has published an Evidence Review of Inequalities and Challenges Experienced by Disabled People in Scotland. The review finds disabled people experience persistent and wide-ranging inequalities, including lower employment and pay outcomes, higher poverty rates, and significant barriers in housing and services.

Relevant Consultations

UK National Screening Committee is consulting on prostate cancer screening recommendations – Closing 20th February 2026

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 2026

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.