Health and Care Improving Flow Plan 2026 - 2031
Published: 10th September 2026
"Vital access points and central to the 'wait well' approach" -
The Community Pharmacy Network included in the Scottish Government Health and Care Improving Flow Plan.
Scotland’s Health and Care Improving Flow Plan 2026-2031 (Health and Care Improving Flow Plan 2026 - 2031 - gov.scot) highlights community pharmacy in delivering care closer to home - an ambition that aligns perfectly with our CPS manifesto commitments to accessible, expert, and integrated healthcare for the population of Scotland.
The publication sets out the governments ambition and delivery plan to establish one connected system, with simple routes to care, ensuring every person receives the most appropriate response as quickly as possible. At Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) we are encouraged to see our network has been highlighted in the plans. This includes being a vital access point for advice and common clinical condition support whilst also empowering people to manage their health whilst they 'wait well' for an onward appointment with another healthcare provider. These are clinical areas our members and their teams are already delivering in.
The plan also states prevention and early detection are central to improving health outcomes. Prevention and public health leadership within community pharmacy is a key focus in our Manifesto and, as your representatives, we look forward to discussions around the sustainable resourcing that will be required to achieve the Scottish Government's ambitions via our establish network. This includes avoiding the duplication of resource across primary care routes and recognising the unique location of community pharmacies which actively bucks the inverse care law.
This Improving Flow Plan has been closely followed by the broader Programme for Government 2026-2031 (Supporting documents - Programme for Government 2026 to 2031 - gov.scot) publication. To read CPS's thoughts on what was set out in the Program please see our next article here. (link Program for Government article here please)
This information was correct at the time of publication. Policy and guidance can change, so please check our latest news for the current position. For anything else, please contact enquiries@cps.scot
Please find below the NHS Circulars PCA(P)(2026)14 and PCA(P)(2026)15, advising that Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) are in place to help mitigate supply issues affecting lansoprazole 15mg and 30mg orodispersible tablets.