Prime Highlights:
- The Scottish government’s Phase Two Women’s Health Plan focuses on using innovation to improve healthcare for women and girls, including menopause and gynaecological care.
- The plan promotes collaboration between NHS Scotland, universities, industry, and other partners to deliver better, tailored healthcare solutions.
Key Facts:
- The plan sets a goal to eliminate cancer by 2040 through vaccines, screenings, and catch-up programs.
- Scotland’s initiative follows England’s update of its Women’s Health Strategy in 2026, aiming to reduce health inequalities and improve access for women.
Background:
The Scottish government has unveiled Phase Two of its Women’s Health Plan (2026–2029), with a strong focus on innovation to ensure women and girls receive the highest quality healthcare. Published on 20 January 2026, the plan outlines steps to reduce health inequalities across Scotland.
In her foreword, Jenni Minto, MSP Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, said the plan aims to improve access to services, bring care closer to communities, use digital health tools, and focus on prevention. “These systematic changes will benefit women and help achieve our ambition: for women and girls to enjoy the best possible health throughout their lives,” she added.
The plan highlights innovation as a key focus, encouraging the testing and use of new healthcare solutions. It also promotes working together with NHS Scotland Innovation Hubs, universities, businesses, and other partners to improve care. Key focus areas include menopause care, gynaecological care, and the use of data to guide innovation and service design.
Gillian Henderson, head of innovation at InnoScot Health, praised the government’s plan. She said that new technologies and teamwork between different sectors are important for meeting women’s specific health needs. She gave examples like the Glasgow-based Bettii Pod, a sustainable menstrual product, and Lumino’s Seren, a digital program that uses therapy to help manage menopause symptoms.
The plan also sets a goal to eliminate cancer by 2040, focusing on vaccines, screenings, and catch-up programs.
Scotland’s plan comes after similar steps in England, where the Department of Health and Social Care said in October 2025 that the Women’s Health Strategy will be updated in 2026. Baroness Gillian Merron, women’s health minister, said the renewed strategy aims to tackle inequalities and reduce long waits for care.
With Phase Two of the Women’s Health Plan, Scotland is positioning itself as a leader in women’s healthcare, combining innovation, collaboration, and prevention to improve outcomes for women and girls across the nation.
