A New Era for Health and Social Care in Scotland
- Jun 19
- 2 min read
Launch of the Service Renewal and Population Health Frameworks
The Scottish Government, in partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), has taken a bold step forward in transforming the nation’s health and social care landscape. The newly published Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework and Population Health Framework mark a pivotal moment in Scotland’s journey toward a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable future.
A Vision for Healthier Lives
At the heart of these frameworks lies a shared vision: a Scotland where people live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. They are designed to address the root causes of poor health, reduce inequalities, and build a health and social care system that is person-led and community-focused.
The Population Health Framework: A Decade of Prevention
The Population Health Framework sets out a ten-year, cross-sector strategy focused on primary prevention. It represents a cultural shift from treating illness to promoting well-being. This live programme of change will evolve over time, with initial actions already identified and more to follow. The framework emphasises collaboration across the NHS and wider partners to tackle the social determinants of health and reduce disparities.
The Service Renewal Framework: Transforming Care Delivery
The Service Renewal Framework outlines a long-term strategy to reshape how health and social care services are planned, delivered, and experienced. It is built on five core principles:
Prevention
People
Community
Population
Digital
These principles will guide decisions, including on workforce, finances, and infrastructure, ensuring services are equitable, efficient, and effective. An example of this transformation is the enhanced collaboration efforts between the Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS 24 to improve access to unscheduled and out-of-hours care.
What This Means for the People of Scotland?
Over the next decade, the people of Scotland can expect:
Faster and fairer access to care
Empowerment to take charge of their own health
Reduced waiting times for planned treatments
Earlier interventions when health issues arise
Expanded capacity in primary and community care
Greater use of digital innovation to enhance service delivery
Achieving this vision will depend on similar collaboration and innovation across all parts of the health and social care system, ensuring people can access timely, appropriate support – wherever and whenever they need it.
