Women’s Health Plan Phase Two – Launched January 2026
Phase Two of Scotland’s Women’s Health Plan is here!
Building on progress to improve women’s health across Scotland, Phase Two of the
Women’s Health Plan is now published. Phase Two addresses the issues that matter
to women at every stage of life with new actions and continued commitment.
Shaped by women’s experiences and priorities, the plan places women at the centre
of their healthcare decisions, elevating women’s voices to drive meaningful change.
Phase Two focuses attention on priority programs to:
- Transform gynaecology services to ensure women and girls have timely
access to gynaecological care; - Eliminate cervical cancer by 2040;
- Improve support and understanding of women’s brain health
Building on the achievements from Phase One
Since the first phase of the Women’s Health Plan launched in 2021, significant
progress has been made. Scotland now has a women’s health champion and lead in
every NHS board, a dedicated platform for women’s health on NHS Inform, training
resources on menstrual health and menopause for healthcare professionals, and
improved research into women’s health through a dedicated fund.
Phase Two takes what’s been achieved so far and turns progress into
momentum, with bold new actions designed to make a real and lasting difference for
women’s health in Scotland across four thematic areas: - The Health of Women and Girls: Cross-cutting actions to improve women’s
health research and data; raise awareness and improve the health information
available to women and girls, taking account of their intersectional needs. - Optimising Future Health: Focused actions on optimising women’s health
across the life course through a preventative lens, with a specific focus on
bone health, pelvic floor health and building on progress made on women’s
heart health. - Gynaecology and Reproductive Health: building on progress to improve
access to care and treatment for menopause and menstrual health, including
fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis and polycystic ovary syndrome. - Abortion, Sexual Health and Contraception: aiming to improve equity in
abortion provision across Scotland, including later stage abortion; and
exploring the issue of hormone hesitancy amongst young women along with
expanding post-partum contraception.
From vision to action, Phase Two takes us further. Read The Women’s Health
Plan Phase Two to find out more and discover how this next phase will make a real
difference for women across Scotland. - More information is available here
- In Lothian, we will define our priorities for the next year based on phase 2 at the end of February 2026. Watch this space!
