Statement on the Programme for Government 2026

“Radical change” cannot be delivered “oven-ready” or behind closed doors, say the ALLIANCE.

Speaking before the Scottish Government announces its Programme for Government, and responding to promises of “radical change”, Sara Redmond, Chief Officer at the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE), said: 

“The First Minister talks of “radical change” and we support radical change. In fact there’s no question that Scotland’s health and social care system needs it. The system is at breaking point.

“But radical change isn’t just managing pressure on public services, or reorganising services. It must mean redesigning a health and social care system around people’s needs, investing in prevention and tackling inequalities that continue to worsen.  

“Governments have talked about reform for many years without fully involving those who use services or the organisations working alongside them every day.  

“We cannot continue to receive oven-ready plans for change, without being involved in the cooking process. 

She added: “The ALLIANCE and its network of members have the expertise to help make this “radical change” succeed. Our years of experience of listening to people, understanding patient’s voices, make us the perfect partners to support this change. Without designing services that are patient led, or making decisions behind closed doors, politicians risk making the wrong choices on what change needs to happen.  

“People can cope with change when they understand why it’s needed and can see it improves their lives. What people won’t accept is change that happens to them, rather than with them.” 

The ALLIANCE is the national third sector membership organisation for the health and social care sector, representing over 3,500 members. 

Its manifesto, Our Collective Voice’, called for investment in prevention work, fair and sustainable funding for the sector, a Human Rights Bill, and improvements in social care.

Notes to editors 

1. The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) is the national third sector membership organisation for the health and social care sector. We bring together over 3,500 people and organisations dedicated to achieving our vision of a Scotland where everyone has a strong voice and enjoys the right to live well, with dignity and respect. Our members are essential in creating a society in which we all can thrive, and we believe that by working together, our voice is stronger. 

2. “Radical change” John Swinney poised to ‘actively embrace’ vast cuts in ‘decisive’ programme for government 

3. The ALLIANCE and our members set out our key priorities in our manifesto for the election, ‘Our Collective Voice’. (3) Amongst the issues the ALLIANCE has called for rapid progress on are:  

• Strengthening human rights in Scotland through a Human Rights Bill to ensure a Scotland where everyone can live with dignity. 

• Securing fair and sustainable funding for the essential work of third sector organisations, and recognition as equal partners in service design and delivery. 

• Improvements in standards, quality and consistency of social care (4) to allow people to live independently where possible, and improve their quality of life. 

• Investing in prevention work, including improving the lives of those people living with long term health and mental health conditions (5), supporting people to realise their right to health and preventing them from reaching crisis point. 

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