A blog from Chief Executive, Professor Jann Gardner
This week, I welcomed First Minister John Swinney to the Imaging Centre of Excellence (ICE) on the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus, where he made a national address about the future of Scotland’s NHS and our whole system of public services.
Mr Swinney has put technology, prevention and early intervention at the centre of his vision for renewal and is seeking “a Scotland where tomorrow is better than today because, together, we have made it so”, with public services that are modern, accessible, flexible, responsive and seamless.
It is fitting that he made this speech within ICE, which hosts a wealth of academic, clinical, and industry experts involved in clinical research, digital innovation, and advanced imaging.
Following this, Health and Social Care Secretary Neil Gray made a speech to the Scottish Parliament, setting out the Scottish Government’s bold and ambitious vision for the future of health and social care in Scotland.
At the heart of his announcement were two new national frameworks – the Population Health Framework and the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework – which together form a cornerstone of the Scottish Government’s plans for reform and renewal.
These frameworks are not just policy documents. They are a call to action – to shift our focus from illness to wellness, from systems to people, and from reactive care to proactive support. They reflect a shared ambition: to create a Scotland where everyone can live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.
A vision for a healthier Scotland
The Population Health Framework, co-developed with COSLA and shaped by voices from across sectors, recognises that 80% of what affects our health happens outside the health and care system. It focuses on the broader drivers of health – from housing and education to income and community – and aims to reduce inequalities and improve life expectancy.
Its first priorities include:
• Legislation to help make healthier food choices easier and more accessible.
• New planning and budgeting tools that prioritise prevention and early intervention.
• Support for healthier living, including improving mental health, encouraging physical activity, and reducing harm from tobacco, alcohol, and obesity.
Transforming services for the future
Alongside this, the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework sets out a 10-year blueprint to make care more local, personal, and effective. It’s built around five key principles:
1. Prevention – keeping people well and catching problems early.
2. People – designing care around individuals, not systems.
3. Community – delivering more services closer to home.
4. Population – planning based on the needs of the population.
5. Digital – using technology to improve access, outcomes, and remote monitoring.
This framework complements the operational improvement plan already underway and supports innovations like the Digital Front Door app, which will roll out nationally in 2026. This integrated health and social care app will empower people to manage their wellbeing online, access services, and coordinate care more easily.
Prevention starts beyond the hospital or clinic
Improving the nation’s health isn’t just about what happens in hospitals or GP surgeries. It’s about what happens in our shops, schools, workplaces, and communities. The frameworks recognise that prevention must be embedded across all sectors of society.
That means:
• Healthier food promoted in supermarkets and schools.
• Education systems that support mental wellbeing and lifelong healthy habits.
• Community spaces that promote physical activity, social connection, and access to nature.
• Economic policies that tackle poverty and improve job security – two of the biggest drivers of poor health.
This whole-system approach is essential if we are to close the life expectancy gap and ensure that everyone, regardless of background or postcode, has the opportunity to live well.
What this means for NHSGGC
For us at NHSGGC, these frameworks align closely with the work we’re already doing – from digital transformation and community-based care to tackling health inequalities and supporting our workforce.
They also reinforce the importance of collaboration – across NHS Boards, local authorities, third sector partners, and communities – to deliver care that truly meets people’s needs.
As we look ahead, I’m excited by the opportunities these frameworks present. They give us a clear direction and a shared purpose. And most importantly, they put people – their health, their choices, and their voices – at the centre of everything we do.
Let’s continue to work together to bring this vision to life.