Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland
People at the Centre

Become a member

National Health Rights Report 2026 now launched

  • Area of Work: Children and Young People
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 8th October 2026

What's working, what still needs to change and what Scotland must do to ensure every child can realise their right to the best health.

For one remarkable day in Stirling, children and young people were at the heart of a conference celebrating 50 years of Children’s Health Scotland and the launch of the National Health Rights Report 2026.

A Report Built on Children’s Voices

The National Health Rights Report 2026 captures the experiences, hopes and concerns of children and young people across Scotland.

  • It tells a story of progress. More children and young people are becoming aware of their rights.
  • Yet it also tells a story of unfinished work.

Many children continue to face barriers accessing healthcare, education and support. Too many children and young people still do not consistently experience the rights they are entitled to. As Helen Forrest, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Scotland, reflected:
“First and foremost, I would like to thank every child and young person, parent, carer, health professional and education professional who took the time to share their experiences through the National Health Rights Report 2026. Their honesty, insight and willingness to speak openly about both positive experiences and ongoing challenges have created an important picture of what children’s health rights look like in Scotland today. This report belongs to them. It reflects their voices, their experiences and their hopes for the future.”

The report provided the foundation for a day dedicated to listening. Not simply hearing children’s voices, but recognising their experiences as a roadmap for change.

Read more about the conference on the Children’s Health Scotland website.

End of page.

You may also like:

Back to all news