The Scottish Government has launched a new five-year strategy to improve palliative care services across the country, ensuring that everyone facing life-shortening conditions receives timely, compassionate, and high-quality support.
Titled Palliative Care Matters for All, the strategy was unveiled by Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health Jenni Minto, who met with NHS staff, volunteers, and patients to hear first-hand about the impact of specialist care.
Developed in partnership with NHS Scotland, charities, health and social care professionals, and people with lived experience, the strategy sets out key measures to:
- Better integrate specialist palliative care into hospital and community services
- Improve public understanding of life-shortening conditions, death, dying, and bereavement
- Support community-led networks to encourage open conversations
- Launch a new Scottish Palliative Care Learning Hub to strengthen training and education
- Provide a 24/7 advice line for healthcare professionals delivering palliative care
Launching the strategy, Minto said:
“We want everyone in Scotland – regardless of age, diagnosis, or location – to have access to timely, high quality and person-centred palliative care.
“This strategy is rooted in the voices of people with experience of palliative care, alongside the expertise of professionals, carers, and the third sector. Working in partnership, we hope to ensure that palliative care is compassionate, person-centred, and available to all who need it.”
The strategy is supported by a 2025–2028 delivery plan, outlining the changes needed to ensure equitable access to palliative care across Scotland. It places a strong emphasis on training, collaboration, and community engagement, recognising the vital role of healthcare staff and local networks.
With demand for palliative care rising, the strategy aims to build a system that is inclusive, responsive, and fit for the future, ensuring that care is centred around the needs of individuals and their families.
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