New body to lead change launches next month.
A new body to drive transformation across the health and care
system and the wider public sector will be established on 1 April
2026.
Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSD Scotland), replacing NHS
Education for Scotland (NES) and NHS National Services Scotland
(NSS), will bring the strengths of the two boards together.
The new organisation will lead on workforce planning and
development, service infrastructure and innovation, with a
particular focus on digital transformation. It will accelerate
national programmes, alongside continued delivery of all existing
NES and NSS services, delivering safer, more consistent and
efficient care for people.
Professor Karen Reid has been appointed as Public Services
Delivery Scotland's Chief Executive. Professor Reid is currently
Chief Executive at NES.
Health Secretary said:
“Establishing PSD Scotland is an important step in our journey
towards transforming the health of the nation – supporting faster
access and safer, more consistent services wherever people live.
“By bringing together national education, digital and support
functions we will reduce duplication, scale what works, giving
frontline teams more time with patients.
“This approach flows directly from our Service Renewal Framework
and Population Health Framework, putting prevention, community
based support and digital innovation at the heart of how care is
delivered.”
PSD Scotland Chief Executive Karen Reid said:
"It is a huge privilege to be appointed Chief Executive of Public
Services Delivery Scotland as we embark on this transformative
journey.
“By uniting expertise from NES and NSS, Public Services Delivery
Scotland will empower our staff to deliver outstanding care and
support, ensuring that services are both innovative and
responsive to the needs of communities throughout Scotland.
“I'm truly excited to work collaboratively with our skilled and
committed colleagues, both within the new organisation and
beyond, to provide improved, high-quality health and social care
services that are efficient, fair, and prepared for the future.
Together, we will create a more sustainable, joined-up system
that puts our people and communities at the heart of everything
we do.”
PSD Scotland Chair Keith Redpath said:
“PSD Scotland brings together the strengths of NSS and NES in a
way that allows us to work efficiently and consistently across
Scotland's health and care system. As we move into this next
phase, our commitment is to maintain continuity of essential
services, support our staff through the transition and build a
strong foundation for the years ahead.
“The new Board for PSD Scotland brings together a wide range of
skills, leadership, experience and perspectives that will be
essential as the organisation is established. Their insight and
stewardship will ensure strong governance, continuity and
direction as PSD Scotland begins its work on 1 April 2026."
Background
PSD Scotland will operate in law through an expansion of the
existing legal framework of the Common Services Agency (CSA) for
the Scottish Health Service, which is the legal entity currently
branded as NSS.
The CSA remains the statutory body under the National Health
Service (Scotland) Act 1978. The changes are being given effect
through The National Health Service (Functions of the Common
Services Agency) (Miscellaneous Amendments (Scotland) Order 2026
and The NHS Education for Scotland and the Common Services Agency
(Transfer of Staff) Regulations 2026, which transfer NES
functions and staff into the CSA and formally dissolve NES as an
organisation. At the same time, NSS as a ‘brand' will be retired.
This allows the new organisation to support other public
bodies beyond Health Boards where this adds value and does not
duplicate existing provision.
PSD Scotland Board members formally take up their roles on 1
April 2026.
Keith Redpath - Chair
Lisa Blacket - Non Executive Member
- Non Executive Member
Ian Cant - Employee Director
Olga Clayton - Non Executive Member
Shona Cowan - Non Executive Member
Jean Ford - Non Executive Member
Lynnette Grieve - Employee Director
Gordon Greenhill - Non Executive Member
Annie Gunner Logan - Non Executive Member
Arturo Langa - Non Executive Member
Beth Lawton - Non Executive Member
Maria McGill - Non Executive Member
Karen Reid - Executive Member
George Valiotis - Non Executive Member
Scotland's Population Health
Framework - gov.scot
Health and Social Care Service
Renewal Framework - gov.scot
