The role and value of RCPsych in Scotland in influencing and public affairs

Ahead of the 2026 Scottish Election Dr Jane Morris explores how the College in Scotland can influence meaningful change.

As demand for mental health services rapidly increases in Scotland, so too does the importance of our work as a College in advocacy and public affairs. We find ourselves at an important crossroads: one month out from the next Scottish Budget, and with 18 months until the next Scottish Parliament election must take place.

The spotlight on mental health, psychiatry, and the need for wider NHS reform has become a pressing topic, and the RCPsychiS role in influencing the discourse, and consequent actions is vital. There is so much to do to bring mental health outcomes and the role of psychiatry to the forefront of the political agenda. The Scottish Government needs to understand the urgency and desperation of the situation and invest in re-development, funding and support that we need as a profession to serve our patients and the Scottish public. 

The Scottish political landscape is unique, with more open access to our politicians and wider policymakers than many other jurisdictions. This is partly because our parliament has only 129 MSPs, but is also a result of our collaborative and inclusive approach to Scottish policymaking, and the ‘open door’ culture of the Scottish Government. These factors offer a rare opportunity to effectively influence policymaking. The RCPsychiS must grasp this opportunity to the hilt over the next 18 months and beyond

The next Scottish election is scheduled for May 2026, and political parties are looking for vote-winning issues. We are strategically positioning mental health as a key election issue, aiming to influence the promises that parties make (including formally through their manifestos) so that provision of effective mental health treatment becomes a stronger commitment. 

The 2026 Scottish election represents a pivotal moment for mental health services, and particularly for psychiatry. At the College in Scotland, we have been listening closely to members across multiple forums, seeking to ensure common themes and priorities are reflected to the best of our ability. We have also worked in partnership with third sector stakeholders and people with lived experience of services whether as patients or carers, so that we can confidently align our advice with their needs. We must now engage strenuously with key policymakers and wider stakeholders to shape policy.

This will mean work across all political parties on key items such as the budget. We will build politically unbiased relationships with MSPs who act as spokespeople on health and mental health to ensure that our recommendations are considered ahead of 2026 party manifesto development. We have been carefully collating evidence around key issues such as workforce and funding, which can be shared with Members of Scottish Parliament to craft questions, motions, and contributions related to our cause in Chamber. We are developing a specific manifesto of our own, to present our ‘asks’ at party political conferences.