Policy

Policy

Voices of Experience (VOX) Scotland produces policy papers on mental health issues that matter to our members. This is a core part of our organisational mission to improve mental health policy and practice in Scotland. Find out more about our latest policy publications below.

 

Vox Scotland’s Manifesto: Scottish Parliament Elections 2026

Across Scotland, people with lived experience of mental illness are facing serious challenges when they try to access support. Members tell us they wait too long, are passed between services or receive inconsistent levels of care depending on where they live. Many feel unseen, unheard or unsupported.

Our new manifesto has been shaped directly by members. It brings together their experiences and sets out a clear and practical plan for change.

• A national focus on severe and enduring mental illness
• A rights based, person centred legal and policy framework
• Investment that matches the scale of need
• Services that work together and provide ongoing support
• A stable and respected workforce
• Transparent data and accountability
• Real lived experience leadership at the all levels

This manifesto is a clear member-informed plan for transformational change. Scotland can build a mental health system that is humane, consistent and grounded in rights. Our members stand ready to help shape that future.

Find out more and read the full manifesto here

 

Vox Scotland’s response to Scottish Government’s Consulation on Polypharmacy Guidance

Polypharmacy means taking multiple medications at once and is often necessary for people with long-term conditions. In September 2025, the Scottish Government consulted on its new guidance which aims to ensure medicines are prescribed in a way that is safe, effective, and person-centred.

We undertook research with members through an online questionnaire and focus group and used the responses to highlight what matters most to our members. We are very grateful to everyone who shared their views and experiences.

You can read our full response here

 

Vox Scotland’s response to Health Committee’s call for views to inform their pre-budget scrutiny 2026-27

VOX Scotland submitted evidence to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee’s call for views to inform their pre-budget scrutiny for 2026–27, with a particular focus on mental health spending.

Our response covers:

• That spending on mental health must rise in line with growing need, as the prevalence of mental illness continues to increase.

• The importance of investing in community-based and preventative services, rather than relying on short-term or crisis-driven interventions.

• Concerns over cuts to local third sector services that play a vital role in keeping people well and reducing demand on acute NHS services.

• The need for much greater transparency in how mental health budgets are allocated and spent, and for people with lived experience to be fully involved in shaping spending priorities.

You can read our full response here

 

Mental Health Nursing Review

 

The Scottish Mental Health Nursing Review which VOX Scotland members was involved in from the start has now published. You can access the report on the Scottish Government website.  The Scottish Government has also shared a link to their Podcasts, developed in partnership with NHS Education Scotland, where you can hear more about the Review, mental health nurses’ personal journey and examples of good practice throughout Scotland.  Th Scottish Government said that this Review is important in advancing the contribution of mental health nurses and will help ensure we have a profession that is skilled, well supported and sustainable – now and for many years to come. It was collectively produced by our mental nurses in Scotland, and we look forward to us working together to deliver our ambitions. They wanted to thank all those who contributed to the Review process, saying that your insights and experiences have been invaluable in shaping the report and the future of Mental Health Nursing in Scotland. The next step is to set up an Implementation Group to ensure effective collaboration, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of the Review actions.

While many of VOX Scotland’s findings have been included in the final review, we also wanted to share with you now our full VOX Scotland response to the Scottish Mental Health Nursing Review and thank everyone who contributed their experiences and views.

Please find the report here

 

Scottish Government Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy

The Scottish Government consulted on its new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy during Summer 2022. Voices of Experience (VOX) Scotland engaged with 51 people with lived experience of mental ill health to submit a consultation response. Participants emphasised concerns about the conflation of ‘wellbeing’ and ‘mental health’ within the strategy, questioned to what extent the Scottish Government will embed lived experience perspectives, and highlighted the importance of consistent relationships with empathetic and non-judgemental healthcare staff in improving mental health.

Read the full consultation submission here.

 

 

 

National Care Service (Scotland) Bill

The Scottish Government has consulted on the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill, which allows Scottish Ministers to transfer social care responsibility from local authorities to a new, national service. This could include adult and children’s services, as well as areas such as justice social work. Scottish Ministers will also be able to transfer healthcare functions from the NHS to the National Care Service. Voices of Experience (VOX) Scotland members raised concerns about the consultation process of the Bill and, while agreeing with many of the Bill’s underlying principles, questioned whether it would lead to improvements in mental health service delivery.

Read our latest response here.

 

 

 

Scottish Mental Health Law Review

The Scottish Mental Health Law Review was tasked with improving the rights and protections of people with a mental disorder and remove barriers to those caring for their health and welfare. The review’s final report was published in September 2022. Throughout the review, Voices of Experience (VOX) Scotland engaged with people with lived experience of mental health difficulties to help inform the review.

Read our response to Stage 3 of the Scottish Mental Health Law Review here.

 

 

 

Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill

In March 2022, proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act were published by The Scottish Government. The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill would amend the Gender Recognition Act 2004 with the aim to simplify the Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) application process and criteria set, which enables trans people to have their gender legally recognised. The Bill proposes to remove medical diagnosis requirements in favour of self-declaration, reduce the time for applicants to have ‘lived in line’ with their gender from two years to three months, and change the minimum application age from 18 to 16.

Voices of Experience (VOX) Scotland supports reforms outlined in the Bill to make the process of obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate simpler and easier. We recognise the importance of removing bureaucratic barriers so that trans people can be formally recognised for who they are on official documentation. The reforms would also more closely align Scotland’s gender recognition law with that of many other European countries including the Republic of Ireland, Malta, and Iceland.

We fully welcome this progressive Bill to make the Gender Recognition process easier and fairer for trans people in Scotland. While the introduction of these reforms would be a positive step forward, we also acknowledge that wider work is needed to strengthen trans rights and tackle discrimination – including improving trans healthcare and mental health support.

For more information on the Gender Recognition Act, The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, and the process of obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC), you can find resources on the Scottish Trans website here: https://www.scottishtrans.org/our-work/gender-recognition-act-reform-2022/

 

 

 

Mandatory Calorie Labelling in the Out of Home Sector in Scotland

In April 2022, The Scottish Government launched its consultation on introducing mandatory calorie labelling in the out of home sector (such as cafes, takeaways, and restaurants) in Scotland. During the consultation phase, Voices of Experience (VOX) Scotland conducted a short survey of members to understand their perspectives. The majority were against the introduction of calorie labelling, citing the negative mental health impacts for those with eating disorders and disordered eating behaviours, as well as its lack of effectiveness as a public health interventions.

Read our consultation response here.

 

 

 

Previous Consultation Responses

• Public Sector Employment.
• Social Isolation
• Psychological Therapies
• DWP Consultation

 Research

• Coronavirus and You – Members’ Experiences
• Untapped Potential
• Real People deeper cuts