Senior representatives of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh visited Holyrood today to meet MSPs and discuss how cancer care can be improved across Scotland.
At a roundtable hosted by Sue Webber MSP, the College’s Vice-President, Professor Angus Watson, and Dean of the Dental Faculty, Professor Grant McIntyre, highlighted the vital role surgeons and dentists play in detecting, treating and preventing cancer. They also emphasised the urgent need to address Scotland’s health inequalities, which contribute to cancer incidence and avoidable deaths.
The discussion provided an opportunity for MSPs and College representatives to explore the needs of patients and constituents, and to consider practical changes that could strengthen cancer services nationwide.
During the roundtable, the College also launched its surgical and dental manifestos ahead of the upcoming Scottish elections. The manifestos underline the importance of expanding day case facilities and National Treatment Centres to reduce waiting lists, tackling persistent health inequalities, and investing in education and training to recruit and retain Scotland’s healthcare workforce.
The manifestos can be accessed below.
Abridged Scottish Surgical Manifesto
RCSEd’s Manifesto for the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election
Abridged Scottish Dental Manifesto
The Faculty of Dental Surgery’s Manifesto for the 2026 Parliamentary Elections
