Swinney announces major restructuring of Scotland's public services

Scottish First Minister John Swinney has announced plans for the most significant restructuring of Scotland's public services since devolution, including a major overhaul of the National Health Service. In his Programme for Government statement to MSPs on September 1, 2026, Swinney outlined a series of reforms aimed at improving efficiency and outcomes, while facing immediate criticism from trade unions and opposition parties who warned of cuts and questioned the government's ability to deliver. The centrepiece of the programme is a plan to replace Scotland's 14 territorial health boards with just two strategic boards.