Holyrood committee criticises SNP Government for its lack of detail over health reform plans

Detailed summary

The SNP's NHS board reforms have been slammed as having no costings and no clear evidence to support them.

Published: 19:40 GMT, 12 November 2026 | Updated: 19:47 GMT, 12 November 2026

The SNP’s NHS board reforms have been slammed as having no costings and no clear evidence to support them.

The Scottish Parliament’s health committee said there is ‘scant details’ from the Government about the plan to reduce the number of health boards from 14 to just two.

The cross-party committee also said there is no clear evidence base for the proposal or any assessment of the likely costs involved, and demanded more clarity and transparency on the issue from SNP ministers.

It follows Health Secretary Angela Constance telling the committee that she had come to a ‘very strong conclusion’ that reducing the number of health boards to two was the right approach.

Helen McDade, convener of the health committee, said: ‘Given the significant and substantial implications of the proposed changes to the NHS, we would expect to have full information available on the scope, costs, engagement and evidence base, instead of the scant details we have been able to access.

‘It appears to the committee that decisions have been made by the government to substantially reform our health service before a business case was developed, before a comprehensive consultation process took place or a clear indication of the impact the reform will have on patients and staff.’

Health Secretary Angela Constance says reducing the number of health boards to two is the right approach

The proposed reduction in health board numbers was unveiled by Mr Swinney in his programme for government in September as part of efforts to reform the public sector and cut backroom costs.

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