Mark McAllister is the Organisational Lead for Strategic Development at Public Health Scotland.
The future of prevention lies in partnership working and that’s why I was pleased to speak to VHS members at the event on the 20th March to discuss the Population Health Framework. We all know the system is under immense strain, and the question I put to the audience was: How do we move beyond short-term fixes and build something truly sustainable?
The bigger picture is this- life expectancy isn’t increasing at the rate we want, inequalities persist, and the demand for services is growing at an unsustainable pace. The reality? Our current model simply isn’t built for the future we’re heading towards. We need to be braver, bolder, and more ambitious if we want to create lasting change.
So, what’s the way forward? We are exploring four key pillars for the reform of our health and social care system:
- Improving Access to Treatment – No one should be left behind. Timely access to healthcare is a basic right, and we must ensure that our systems are built around the needs of the people, not the other way around.
- Shifting the Balance of Care – Hospitals should not be the default option. More care should be delivered in the community, in people’s homes, and through preventative services that keep people well rather than just treating them when they’re sick.
- Digital and Technology Innovation – We can’t afford to ignore the power of technology. From AI-driven diagnostics to remote consultations, digital solutions can bridge gaps, speed up care, and make services more efficient.
- Prevention, Prevention, Prevention – This is the game-changer. Instead of spending billions reacting to illness, why aren’t we investing more in preventing it? Tackling poor housing, improving public health education, and supporting mental wellbeing all play a role in reducing demand on services.
But here’s the challenge – it can’t be about our health and care system in isolation, we need to think about our public services in the round and delivering change requires a serious rethink of how we allocate resources. The current trajectory of healthcare spending is simply not sustainable.
Without intervention, we’ll find ourselves funnelling more and more money into treating illnesses that could have been prevented in the first place. Tackling long terms trends in poor health outcomes and inequalities isn’t just a moral issue; but its also an economic and sustainability issue. We have to act now.
Of course, none of this will happen without strong leadership and collective commitment. Reforming our public services isn’t just about service delivery, policy and budgets – it’s about people, partnerships, and a shared vision for a healthier Scotland.
The best part of meeting up with VHS Members was the conversations that followed. The breakout sessions and plenary discussions were filled with insightful questions, fresh perspectives, and a real energy for change. It was clear that, while the challenges ahead are significant, there is no shortage of passion and expertise in the room to tackle them.
This isn’t just another policy debate – it’s about shaping the future of our nation’s health and wellbeing. The time to act is now, and I’m excited to be part of the movement driving this change.
Mark McAllister, Organisational Lead for Strategic Development at Public Health Scotland
Read the Key Messages Report from the 20th March 2025 event here.
