Scottish Government urged to restore dedicated Women’s Health Minister role

More than 30 healthcare organisations have called on First Minister John Swinney to reinstate Scotland’s dedicated Women’s Health Minister, warning that scrapping the role risks undermining progress on tackling long-standing health inequalities.

The intervention comes after the First Minister announced his ministerial team following the 2026 Holyrood election, with responsibility for women’s health folded into a broader public health portfolio rather than retaining a standalone ministerial position. The dedicated role had previously been held by Jenni Minto.

A coalition of 36 organisations - including the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of Midwives, the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) - has written to Swinney urging him to reverse the decision.

Fears progress could stall

Campaigners argue that the creation of a dedicated women’s health minister in 2021 marked an important milestone in addressing historic inequalities in healthcare and ensuring women’s issues received focused political attention.

In their letter, the organisations said women’s physical and mental health had been "overlooked and deprioritised" for much of Scotland’s devolved history and warned that removing the standalone post could weaken accountability and visibility for women’s healthcare.

The coalition is calling for a minister whose sole focus is women’s health, arguing that dedicated leadership is necessary to oversee implementation of Scotland’s Women’s Health Plan and ensure continued progress on areas such as reproductive health, maternity care, menopause support and gynaecological services.

Concerns over reproductive healthcare

Among the most vocal critics has been BPAS, which highlighted continuing challenges in access to abortion services across Scotland.

The organisation noted that some women are still required to travel to England to access certain abortion procedures unavailable closer to home and argued that a dedicated minister would provide clearer accountability for addressing gaps in reproductive healthcare provision.

Healthcare leaders have also pointed to ongoing concerns around access to contraception, sexual health services and specialist support for women experiencing complex reproductive health conditions.

Wider debate on women's health inequalities

The controversy comes at a time when women’s health is receiving increasing political attention across the UK.

Recent parliamentary scrutiny has highlighted persistent inequalities in diagnosis and treatment for conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis and heavy menstrual bleeding.

Campaigners have also raised concerns about "medical misogyny" - the tendency for women’s symptoms to be dismissed, minimised or attributed to non-medical causes. These issues have become central to wider debates about healthcare reform and patient outcomes.

Advocacy groups argue that sustained political leadership is essential if governments are to tackle decades of underinvestment in research, diagnosis and treatment for conditions that disproportionately affect women.

Government insists women’s health remains a priority

The Scottish Government has rejected suggestions that women’s health is being downgraded.

Ministers say responsibility for women’s health now sits with Public Health Minister Maree Todd, who has inherited the portfolio and will continue overseeing implementation of the Women’s Health Plan. Government representatives have stated that women's health remains a key priority despite the removal of the standalone title.

Supporters of the Government’s approach argue that integrating women’s health into a broader public health brief could encourage more joined-up policymaking. However, critics contend that dedicated portfolios are often necessary to maintain momentum on issues that have historically received insufficient attention.

Leadership versus symbolism

The dispute reflects a broader question facing governments across the UK: whether women’s health requires dedicated political leadership or whether it can be effectively managed within wider health structures.

For campaigners, the concern is not simply about a ministerial title but about visibility, accountability and long-term commitment. They argue that without a dedicated champion around the Cabinet table, women’s health risks slipping down the political agenda amid competing NHS pressures.

As Scotland continues to implement reforms aimed at improving outcomes for women and girls, the debate over the ministerial role has become a test of how seriously policymakers intend to prioritise women's health in the years ahead.

Sources

• STV News, Swinney urged to revive women’s health minister job (9 June 2026).

• Herald Scotland, John Swinney warned against axing women’s health minister role (2026).

• Public statements from healthcare organisations including BPAS, the Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare.