Meaningful change for the one in five Scots living with long-term conditions needs urgent action ‘not more promises’ from the next government, says the largest Scottish-based frontline health charity launching its 2026 election manifesto today.

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, says people with long-term conditions deserve better from their health and care systems, and it’s essential that the government helps deliver the changes needed.

The charity is urging all political parties to take on the five key themes of their manifesto: prevention and early detection; acute and specialist care; rehabilitation and supported self-management; health beyond healthcare; and the power of lived experience.

To deliver a fairer, healthier Scotland, the charity is demanding cross-party commitment to a series of actionable asks across these areas while considering the ‘often-overlooked’ social determinants of health.

Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, says the manifesto is built on what people have told the organisation matters most to them:

“It isn’t just about clinical care, it’s about fairness, dignity and making sure no one is left behind when it comes to their health.

“We’re not asking for the impossible. These are practical, impactful changes that will transform lives.

“Politicians need to listen and act.”

Placing the voices of people who use Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland’s services at the ‘heart’ of its manifesto, the charity is urging politicians to guarantee access to community rehabilitation services.

Equally, it adds that further work on early detection of cardiovascular risk and the rollout of a 24/7 thrombectomy service in Scotland is needed to improve heart health and stroke outcomes.

The charity is urging the next government to deliver enhanced support pathways for women with risk factors for heart issue like PCOS and pre-eclampsia, as well as developing national standards for COPD.

Health inequalities and wider services

With health inequalities deepening and the burden of long-term conditions growing, CHSS says this manifesto offers ‘not a list of demands, but a blueprint for change’.

The manifesto says work across communities that supports people to ‘live well and reduce their risk of disease’ is vital, stating:

‘It is essential that government does more to help people live healthier, longer lives – so we’ve included some asks on preventing major health problems.’

These asks include placing a duty on every one of Scotland’s public bodies to view their work through a health and disease prevention lens and increasing access to physical activity schemes for those with long-term health conditions and in low-income communities.

Meanwhile, the charity says the role of social security and unpaid carers cannot be ignored.

It calls for a commitment to review Carer Support Payment to ensure no carer is pushed into poverty and to simplification of Scotland’s benefits system so that people eligible for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) are not missing out.

To lift people out of poverty, it says the government must also increase ADP above inflation and increase availability of vocational rehab so that those who want to work can do so.

CHSS says the government must deliver restrictions on alcohol marketing to reduce its health-harming impacts while also work with supermarkets to promote access to fruit and vegetables and expand existing nutritious food access schemes.

The cost of inaction

As well as tackling health inequality, the manifesto highlights the cost to the NHS of inaction.

Cardiovascular disease alone costs nearly £950m a year the charity says, with stroke survivors three times more likely to live independently and require fewer care or hospital interventions if they receive timely access to thrombectomy treatment and post-stroke care.

Personal stories shared in the manifesto bring the issues to life.

Wilma, a stroke survivor, credits thrombectomy for saving her life. Su, who lives with bronchiectasis, says pulmonary rehab gave her life back. Alice and Hannah, both living with Long COVID, describe how a lack of coordinated support forced them to give up work and education.

Ms Judson says that too many are living “lives half lived” because of a lack of support but says “it doesn’t have to be that way”, adding:

“We need to get this right for the next generation - and that starts now.”

The charity is inviting MSPs from all parties to engage with the recommendations and commit to placing people living with long-term conditions at the heart of the next parliamentary term.

Read more: Weight loss drugs linked to asthma improvements; GPs to tackle hidden risks of heart disease; Lung health priorities ‘abandoned’ by government; Harnessing a parasite to take drugs into the brain; Scotland's chance to lead on disability benefit system; Joint pharmacy project cuts adverse events; Medics warn pollution is risking children's health; Charting Scotland's future health demand; Call for government to prioritise heart health