On St Andrew’s day, the Council would like to highlight its Scottish members, share its national policy work and look at what is on the horizon in Scotland.  

The Council’s voice in representing the sector is strengthened by working across the UK, through our nation groups, reflecting the devolved nature of health higher education policy. The Council of Deans of Health Scotland includes the Council’s 12 Scottish members who span the breadth of the country: Edinburgh Napier University, University of Edinburgh, Queen Margaret University, University of Dundee, Abertay University, Robert Gordon University, University of Stirling, Open University, Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Glasgow, University of the West of Scotland and University of the Highlands and Islands.    

We are delighted that CoDH Scotland is Convened by Professor Susan Dawkes and Vice-Convened by Professor Anita Simmers, who along with the wider membership we work with to discuss shared agendas, consider opportunities and tackle key challenges. CoDH Scotland also work in close partnership with key stakeholders such as the Scottish Government, NHS Education Scotland, Universities Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council on issues of relevance to the sector. 

The picture in Scotland is similar to members in the rest of the UK with acute funding pressures, student recruitment challenges, a shrinking academic workforce as well as limited research capacity.  

Despite these challenges, Scotland’s higher education institutions continue to innovate, educate, and inspire. On this national day, we celebrate their commitment to not just preparing professionals, but for cultivating leaders, researchers, and changemakers.  

As Scotland heads toward its next parliamentary election in May 2026, the Council will be working to ensure that the priorities of CoDH Scotland are promoted so that Scotland develops the healthcare workforce it needs. We will be engaging with all parties in the run-up to the election on behalf of our members and to advocate for the role of universities in the delivery of healthcare education and research.