Leading Health Charity Urges First Minister to Prioritise Rehabilitation in Programme for Government 05 May 2025 Ahead of the final Programme for Government for this Parliamentary Term, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is urging the First Minister to make rehabilitation a priority for those living with long-term conditions. Despite previous commitment from the Scottish Government to improve access to rehabilitation, Scots are still waiting to experience meaningful improvement in this area. 1 in 5 people in Scotland live with a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid, or a combination of these. Research from Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland has shown that many struggle to access support available to them, particularly around rehabilitation, with less than half (45%) of those surveyed accessing NHS rehabilitation and 24% reporting that they were not referred for rehabilitation at all. Chief Executive of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Jane-Claire Judson commented; “Secondary prevention is key to supporting both people living with our conditions, and also for reducing pressure on our healthcare systems in Scotland. “We are calling on the First Minister to recognise this by including a renewed commitment to resourcing existing commitments around rehabilitation. “People living with the conditions we support need assurance that the Rehabilitation and Recovery strategy will be fully implemented, and that data will be collected to track its impact. They need the First Minister to ensure that work on the Respiratory Care Action plan does not halt and plans to increase access to pulmonary rehab are not lost. “Improved access to rehabilitation can dramatically improve the lives of those living with chest, heart, stroke and long covid conditions. Funding rehabilitation can also help the Scottish Government to achieve broader policy priorities and, ultimately, save taxpayer money. Third Sector services already provide support and rehab services across the country working alongside the NHS but a renewed commitment enabled by a strong strategic partnership between the 3rd and public sector will ensure that people are supported to live lives to the full. “I look forward to seeing this reflected in the upcoming Programme for Government.” Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is committed to reaching 175000 people living with its conditions per year by 2028. If you or someone you know is living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text ADVICE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.