NHS Delivery - a new national delivery organisation: consultation

What the Change Means for Partners

A core aim of this proposal is to empower all partners involved in delivering health and social care – across NHS Boards, Integration Authorities, local government, and the wider public and third sectors – to focus on providing the best possible care and support for the people of Scotland. NHS Delivery will be designed to strengthen national capabilities, ensuring that partners have access to high-quality, consistent, and responsive support services.

From 1 April 2026, partners can expect continuity of support, with the same or improved service levels as currently provided by NES and NSS. Over time, NHS Delivery will work with partners to optimise how national services are delivered and how engagement takes place, with the clear aim of making it easier to collaborate, innovate, and deliver for Scotland’s communities.

By simplifying national structures and clarifying organisational responsibilities, this change will reduce confusion about which body leads on national services, making it easier for partners to access the support they need. NHS Delivery, with Ministerial agreement, will also have the flexibility to enter into arrangements with a wide range of public bodies – including local government – to further the aims of the Service Renewal Framework and population health ambitions. The full scope of these opportunities will be developed through ongoing engagement and future consultation with partners.

Throughout the transition, NES and NSS will work closely with all delivery partners and suppliers to discuss the implications of the change for existing contractual arrangements, with all contracts expected to transfer as a matter of course.

Relevant Consultation Questions

Partners are invited to share their views on:

• What areas of national delivery could be improved by NHS Delivery to make services more efficient or better joined-up?
• Are there services or functions currently delivered by other organisations that should be delivered only by NHS Delivery to improve consistency and reduce duplication?

Your feedback will help shape how NHS Delivery supports partners and delivers on Scotland’s ambitions for integrated, high-quality health and social care.