Stories

Tue, 01 Sep 2026

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 Swinney to cut number of health boards from 14 to two

Existing boards could be merged so there would be one for the west and another for the east of Scotland.

* Plans announced to cut Scotland's health boards from 14 to 2
* Existing boards could be merged into one for the west and another for the east of Scotland, with separate plans for Shetland, Orkney, and the Western Isles
* Proposed changes aim to free up more time and capacity for treatment, and will not affect national health boards that run the Scottish ambulance service or provide support to the NHS
* Reforms are part of a wider public sector reform aimed at saving money, cutting bureaucracy, and improving services delivery
* First Minister John Swinney has set out a range of policies in his programme for government, including growing the economy, eradicating child poverty, transitioning to net zero, and addressing violence against women and girls.