Manifesto for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election

Ahead of the Scottish Parliament election in May 2026, we have published our manifesto today (Thursday 5 March). 

It calls on the next Scottish Government to commit to reforms which will secure a sustainable, safe and high‑quality health service for every person in Scotland – powered by a valued workforce, efficient and preventative care, and a healthy environment for people and the planet. 

“Our health service has been caring for the people of Scotland for generations; however, it is a system in crisis, which can only be improved if we face up to the challenges head on,” says College President, Professor Hany Eteiba. 

“It is clear our health service is struggling to cope with an increase in demand and complexity of care. Our ageing population and widening health inequalities see more people living in poorer health across the nation. People are waiting longer to access the care they need, often with their condition worsening before they can receive treatment. 

“To ensure our NHS can continue to provide the best care in the long term, we need the next Scottish Government to commit to a system-wide overhaul which will place people, both patients and health professionals, at the heart of improvement.” 

The manifesto outlines the College’s three main asks for the next Scottish Government:

Actively support a sustainable workforce to deliver quality assured patient care 

• Expand specialty training posts so doctors, surgeons and dentists can progress and patients can access the specialist care they need.
• Create working conditions that protect wellbeing and show our teams they are valued, with fair workloads, functioning IT, rest space and basic facilities.
• Guarantee protected time for training, supervision and continued professional development for all professions.

Deliver a health system that drives efficiency and prevention 

• Accelerate a user‑friendly digital transformation that genuinely streamlines care, with interoperable systems across boards.
• Make full, smart use of NHS facilities – including extended hours and 24/7 theatres where appropriate – to cut waiting times.
• Invest in community‑based, preventative care that keeps people well and reduces pressure on hospitals.

Build a healthy environment for people and the planet

• Invest in green NHS infrastructure to drive towards a carbon‑neutral, climate‑resilient health service.
• Grow green skills within the NHS and embed specialty‑led sustainability initiatives across services.
• Shape a healthy food and living environment that tackles obesity, reduces harm from ultra‑processed food and protects people from the harms of tobacco and vaping marketing.

You can download the full document below.