RCPsych in Scotland strategy 2025-2028

The RCPsych in Scotland Strategy 2025–28 sets out our vision for strengthening psychiatric care, championing our members, and improving outcomes for people with mental illness across Scotland.

Rooted in Scotland’s unique health landscape, this strategy explains how we will support our profession, influence national decision‑making, and ensure that Scottish voices and needs are fully reflected within a four‑nation College.

Download our 2025-2028 strategy

Purpose of the strategy

This strategy provides a clear plan for how we will use our collective expertise to advocate for excellent, equitable mental health care across Scotland. It outlines how we support psychiatrists at every stage of their career, amplify evidence-based priorities in government and public debate, and ensure that the realities of Scotland’s mental health system – its structures, culture and communities – are understood, valued, and acted upon.

At its heart, the strategy is about impact: improving outcomes for patients, strengthening and sustaining the psychiatric workforce, and ensuring that the profession’s voice is influential at the highest levels.

Contents

  • Vision, mission and who we are
  • How we work
  • Foreword from the chair
  • RCPsych strategic priorities
  • Values
  • Strategic priorities for Scotland (2025–28)
    1. Workforce
    2. Policy and public affairs
    3. Member engagement
    4. Scotland’s identity within a Four-Nation College

Alignment with the College's wider strategic objectives

As a key part of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, RCPsych in Scotland shares the College’s UK‑wide goals, including addressing the treatment gap, promoting fairness, advancing research, supporting members, and improving mental health services globally. This strategy aligns fully with those priorities while tailoring activity to Scotland’s distinct legal, cultural, and service context.

Our work ensures that College-wide ambitions – such as strengthening workforce sustainability, improving public mental health, and setting high clinical standards – are delivered in ways that reflect Scotland’s needs, systems and aspirations.