Scotland’s independent think tank
Scotland’s independent think tank

Prevention and Healthcare reform

Reform Scotland was delighted to host a discussion about the future health of Scotland with Paul Johnston, Chief Executive of Public Health Scotland.

At a time of challenge for the public sector, including the NHS, there is a pressing need to do things differently. Part of the responsibility of Public Health Scotland is to champion the role of prevention which can stop health issues from developing in the first place, therefore freeing up money to be used elsewhere.

Writing for our NHS2048 forum, Paul Johnston wrote:

People in Scotland now die younger than in any other Western European country. People spend more of their lives in ill health. The gap in life expectancy between the poorest and the wealthiest is growing. We have seen great progress in the past but, at the moment, Scotland’s health is getting worse.”

If we are to preserve our NHS for future generations, these trends need to be turned around. Prevention, therefore, has to be a key part of any broader reform agenda. But what does prevention look like, and how can we use it to help reduce health inequalities? 

These and other issues were discussed by Paul Johnston in conversation with Chris Deerin, Director of Reform Scotland.  Watch it back below: