Children increasingly know their rights, but many are still not experiencing those rights in practice, is the key message emerging from the National Health Rights Report 2026, launched today (2 October 2026) in Stirling at the My Health, My Rights Conference organised by national health rights charity Children’s Health Scotland.
Built from the voices of more than 1,100 children and young people, parents, carers, health professionals and education professionals from across Scotland, the report was produced by Children’s Health Scotland and provides a unique national picture of children’s health rights in Scotland. The report forms part of a major national conference marking 50 years of Children’s Health Scotland, bringing together children and young people, families, professionals, policymakers and third sector organisations to discuss the future of children’s health rights and wellbeing in Scotland.
Rt Hon John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland, said: “Scotland’s future will be shaped by its children and young people, which is why their voices must be heard today. The Scottish Government is putting them at the heart of the decisions we make and their views are helping to shape policy, improve services and make Scotland a better place.
“The experiences shared in this report highlight the progress we have made and the challenges that remain. We will continue to focus on prevention and early intervention, ensuring children, young people and families can access the support they need when they need it, helping families to thrive and doing all we can to ensure no child grows up in poverty. By continuing to listen and act on what we hear we will help ensure every child knows their rights and fulfils their potential.”
Nicola Killean OBE, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, said: “Children have the right to the best possible health, both physical and mental. That includes being listened to and taken seriously. Children must have access to services, care, and treatment appropriate to their age and condition. Without this, their rights to health, development, and life can all be impacted.
“The voices and experiences of children are grounded in this powerful report. They have spoken clearly about what matters to them, where progress is being made, and where change is still needed.
“The report shows that awareness of rights is only part of the picture. Children must be able to see and experience those rights in their everyday lives. This report provides an important opportunity for policymakers, services, and organisations across Scotland to listen to children and young people and act on what they are telling us.”
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Officer for Scotland, Dr Lynn Macleod, added: “Rights are only meaningful when children can access support when they need it and are listened to throughout their care. Our recently published State of Child Health report shows that too many children and young people in Scotland are being let down, with those living in the poorest communities facing the worst health outcomes.
“Every child has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, yet persistent inequalities mean too many are being denied the opportunity to thrive. Without urgent action, paediatricians warn that Scotland risks raising one of the unhealthiest generations of children in decades.
“We welcome the publication of On My Way: Children’s Health Scotland’s National Health Rights Report and are delighted to be part of this important conference. As Children’s Health Scotland celebrates 50 years of supporting children, young people and families across Scotland, we are proud to reflect on our contribution and look ahead to the work still to be done to ensure every child and young person can thrive.”
Helen Forrest, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Scotland, said: “First and foremost, I would like to thank every child and young person, parent, carer, health professional and education professional who took the time to share their experiences through the National Health Rights Report 2026. Their honesty, insight and willingness to speak openly about both positive experiences and ongoing challenges have created an important picture of what children’s health rights look like in Scotland today.
“This report belongs to them. It reflects their voices, their experiences and their hopes for the future.
“I would also like to thank our Health Rights Defenders, who have played an extraordinary role in shaping both the report and today’s conference. These remarkable young people have given their time, energy and lived experience to ensure the voices of children and young people are heard by those making decisions about services and support.
“The Health Rights Defenders helped shape the conference programme, contributed to the development of the report, challenged decision-makers to listen, and personally invited Scotland’s First Minister to attend the conference because they believe children and young people deserve to have their voices heard.
“The findings tell us that children increasingly know their rights, but many are still not consistently experiencing those rights in practice. This report provides an opportunity for all of us, government, services, professionals, communities and families, to work together to ensure every child can know their rights, experience their rights and realise their right to the best possible health.
“As we celebrate 50 years of Children’s Health Scotland, we remain committed to listening to children and young people, amplifying their voices, and working alongside partners across Scotland to create meaningful and lasting change.”
The report has been developed by Children’s Health Scotland as part of its 50th Anniversary year and has been shaped by its Health Rights Defenders, children and young people with lived experience of health conditions who are working to influence change across Scotland.
Speakers at the conference include:
- Health Rights Defenders, Children’s Health Scotland’s participation group of children and young people with lived experience of health conditions
- Rt Hon John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland
- Nicola Killean OBE, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland
- Sammi Kinghorn OBE, Paralympic Champion and Broadcaster
The conference has been developed by Children’s Health Scotland as part of its 50th Anniversary year and shaped in partnership with its Health Rights Defenders, whose experiences, priorities and aspirations have informed both the National Health Rights Report 2026 and the conference programme.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Children’s Health Scotland is Scotland’s national children’s health rights charity. For 50 years, the charity has worked alongside children, young people, families and professionals to improve children’s health, wellbeing and rights. Children’s Health Scotland’s vision is: Every child has the right to the best possible health. The charity delivers services across three key areas: Health Rights; Health & Wellbeing; and Care Experienced
About the National Health Rights Report 2026
The National Health Rights Report 2026 is based on the experiences of:
- 638 children and young people
- 321 parents and carers
- 162 health professionals
- 56 education professionals
- 224 children’s drawings
In total, more than 1,100 voices contributed to the report.
About the Health Rights Defenders
Health Rights Defenders are children and young people with lived experience of health conditions who work alongside Children’s Health Scotland to promote children’s health rights and influence policy, practice and decision-making across Scotland. The Health Rights Defenders played a key role in shaping both the National Health Rights Report 2026 and the My Health, My Rights Conference.
Conference Information
My Health, My Rights Conference 2026
Friday 2 October 2026 | Stirling Court Hotel, Stirling
Media Contact
Rhianne Forrest, Children’s Health Scotland
Email: rhianne.forrest@childrenshealthscotland.org
Telephone 07485692719
www.childrenshealthscotland.org
