Mental health and clinical expertise must be at the heart of Scotland's NHS reform, says RCPsychiS

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Following the publication of the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government, and the significant announcement that Scotland’s 14 territorial Health Boards will be reduced to two, marking the most significant reform of the NHS in a generation, the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland is urging the Scottish Government to ensure mental health is front and centre of its reform agenda.

Dr Jane Morris, Chair of RCPsych in Scotland, said:

“This reform presents a significant opportunity to address longstanding structural challenges affecting mental health services across Scotland. However, its success will depend on mental health being explicitly embedded in planning, discussions and decision-making from the outset. This must include drawing on the expertise of clinicians responsible for patient care and safety. The insights and experience of psychiatrists and other frontline professionals will be critical in shaping reforms that deliver meaningful and lasting improvements for communities and patients with mental illness.

“The College’s recent report, Mental Health at the Fault Line’ highlighted serious concerns about Scotland’s integrated health and social care system. It identified a complex and poorly coordinated system that’s falling short of delivering the effective, joined-up care it was designed to provide.

“Many psychiatrists continue to report rising demand, workforce shortages and increasing pressures on services. While investment remains important, lasting improvement will depend on ensuring that resources, accountability and decision-making are aligned with patient need.

“Reform offers a vital opportunity to learn from a decade of integration, but it must go beyond simply reshaping systems and structures. We urge policymakers to ensure reforms strengthen accountability, improve patient safety, enhance clinical leadership, increase financial transparency and support effective workforce planning.

“The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland urges the Scottish Government to ensure that mental health does not become an afterthought. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a mental health system that is simpler, safer, more accountable and better able to meet the needs of patients, families and communities across Scotland.

“Mental health must be at the heart of that conversation, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland stands ready to work collaboratively and constructively with the Scottish Government, Parliament and partners across the system.”