Women’s health blog series – Developing Phase 2 of Scotland’s Women’s Health Plan

Reflections from ALLIANCE Lived Experience group members about their role in contributing to the Women’s Health Plan.

Since 2022 the ALLIANCE has delivered a Women’s Health Plan programme, working closely with Scottish Government to support the actions of the Women’s Health Plan (WHP). As part of this the ALLIANCE facilitates a Lived Experienced Stakeholder Group, which sits within the governance structure of the WHP, and directly supports its implementation.

The members of the Stakeholder Group include women from across Scotland, with different backgrounds and health experiences, as well as practitioners from third sector organisations who are representing their own lived experience networks.

“It is heartening to see the passion the people representing these groups bring to the development days, and that passion unites us all and really is at the heart of the Women’s Health Plan.“

Since the first phase of the Women’s Health Plan concluded in August 2024, the Group has been involved in considering the shape of Phase 2. Across several meetings, including two in-person workshops in Glasgow in March and August 2025, the Group have worked with members of the Scottish Government’s Women’s Health Plan team and the ALLIANCE to contribute reflections, ideas and priorities to the development of Phase 2 (due to be published in January 2026). At sessions the Group were joined by Minister of Public Health and Women’s Health, Jenni Minto MSP, and Professor Anna Glasier, Women’s Health Champion.

In this blog series, several members of the Women’s Health Plan Lived Experience Stakeholder Group reflect on the experience, what impact they have managed to have on the process, the things they’ve gained from being part of the Group, and their thoughts on the importance of involving lived experience in policy making. 

“I leave each meeting encouraged, hopeful, and reminded that inclusive collaboration is the foundation of lasting change in women’s health. “

The blogs will be published at regular intervals across January 2026. You can find the published blogs at the below links. This list will be updated with every post.

Making a constructive contribution to women’s health in Scotland, by Caroline Brocklehurst

The power in coming together to discuss women’s health, by Kirsteen Campbell

Considering disabled women’s experiences in accessing healthcare, by Mary Ballantyne

Advancing women’s health through lived experience and collaboration, by Irene Oldfather

Inclusive collaboration for the future of women’s health, by Ramatu Umar Bako

United by a passion for improving women’s experiences, by Candice McKenzie and Kirsty Clarke

The willingness to shape policy that reflects women’s lived reality, by Susan

Looking to the future of women’s brain health, by Thea Laurie

Actions on women’s health should not be shouldered by women alone, by Tara Lillis

You can also find them here once published.

2026 also marks the ALLIANCE’s 20th anniversary, and we will be taking time throughout the year to reflect on our previous and ongoing impact to health and social care in Scotland. The work of the Women’s Health Plan Lived Experience Group exemplifies the strength of the ALLIANCE’s commitment, held since 2006, to champion the voice of lived experience and communities, and work in partnership with them to drive meaningful participation and change.

Irene Oldfather, ALLIANCE Director reflects on the valued input of the Women’s Health Plan Lived Experience Stakeholder Group:

“As we launch our series I’d like to thank our Stakeholder Group for their support. You will see from their contributions as the month unfolds, the breadth and range of insights, the ideas, thoughts and reflections that they bring not just to each written piece but to the group itself. It is this collective experience that makes such a powerful contribution to the work and motivates us all to strive for better outcomes in weeks and months ahead. As the ALLIANCE also celebrates 20 years in 2026, this Group exemplifies our enduring commitment to shaping Scotland’s future together with lived experience and communities. ”

You can find out more about the ALLIANCE’s Women’s Health Programme here on our website.

If you would like more information about our Stakeholder Group, including how to get involved,  then please get in touch. Please direct any queries to whp@alliance-scotland.org.uk

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