Welcome to our December 2018 E-bulletin: sharing news & views from the VHS network & updates from Scottish Government & the NHS affecting the voluntary health sector.

VHS News & Events

VHS Annual Conference

Thank you to our sponsors: NHS Health Scotland and Versus Arthritis, exhibitors and delegates for a thought provoking day, culminating in our forest of ideas. Read our Key Messages Report for  Get The Picture: Culture, Health and Wellbeing which took place on 20 November and Professor Sir Harry Burns presentation along with links to blogs on the poster competition and  Getting the Picture with John Ennis.

The Zubairi Report
Our new publication, The Zubairi Report: the lived experience of loneliness and social isolation in Scotland, is now available online. The qualitative study investigates the loneliness and social isolation experienced by under-represented demographics in Scotland, who often face multiple triggers including socio-economic disadvantage, poor access to transport and a lack of places and spaces that encourage connectedness and foster belonging. The primary research was conducted by Kiren Zubairi, VHS Policy Officer, with women from Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, people living in a socio-economically deprived area, people living and working in rural communities, and paid and unpaid carers of people receiving palliative care.

VHS membership survey results
We have published the results of our 2018 membership survey which sought to advise us on our current work programme, as well as to guide our future work and the topics of events that we hold.

Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities Parliamentary Reception
An evening reception on Tuesday 11 December will celebrate the work of the Health Inequalities Cross Party Group in the Scottish Parliament Garden Lobby. The reception is sponsored by Donald Cameron MSP, Co-Convenor of the CPG and we are delighted to have Joe Fitzpatrick MSP, Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing as our guest speaker. If you would like to attend please contact VHS.

More About Us: VHS Annual Review 2018
We have just published our new Annual Review – find out more about our impact since April 2017 and what our Members have to say about us.​

Policy News

Relationship between food environment and planning system
The Scottish Government have published a research summary responding to the question 'How can the planning system best support the creation of an improved food environment in Scotland?'

Rights, respect and recovery: alcohol and drug treatment strategy
The Scottish Government have published a new strategy which aims to improve health by preventing and reducing alcohol and drug use, harm and related deaths.

Plans to consider an independent review of Brexit’s impact on health and social care
Brendan O’Hara MP introduced a Private Member’s Bill at the House of Commons last week (14 November 2018) in response to concerns raised by those in the third sector.

Analysing Responses to A Connected Scotland
The Scottish Government have published the initial analysis of responses to their draft strategy to tackle social isolation and loneliness.The final strategy is due to be published before Christmas 2018.

Reducing health harms of foods high in fat, sugar or salt
This Consultation is seeking views on: - identified categories of food and drink that would be targeted; forms of promotion and marketing that would be restricted; places the restrictions would apply and enforcement and implementation. Closes 9 January 2019.

Clinical Pathways and Guidance for Healthcare Professionals Working to Support Adults who Present Having Experienced Rape or Sexual Assault in Scotland
Consultation is seeking views from people with lived experience and professionals, on the clinical pathways and guidance for healthcare professionals working to support adults who present having experienced rape or sexual assault in Scotland. Closes 30 Jan 2019.

VHS Members' News & Events

Safeguarding practice for those at risk of financial abuse from scamming
This new workbook resource for community nurses and healthcare professionals was the foundation for a recent multiagency QNIS event to raise awareness of financial abuse amongst health and social care leaders, and to begin a conversation allowing community health and care staff to engage more fully in effective and creative inter-agency working across Scotland, to protect vulnerable adults from abuse.

Launch of the Women's Outreach Team evaluation report
The external evaluation of CIRCLE's Women’s Outreach Team, a partnership with Addictions Support and Counselling, launches on Thursday 24 January 2019 at St Mary’s Episcopal Church, Hamilton. Key findings will be shared, including the stories from women, children and families and evidence of the massive fiscal, economic and societal benefit that this Alternatives to Custody service can provide. If you're interested in attending, please contact CIRCLE.

Research Highlights Pressures Facing Carers
A new report from Marie Curie and Macmillan Cancer Support has warned of the pressures faced by those who take on caring responsibilities for terminally ill people. The charities raised concerns that family and friends caring for the terminally ill often do not receive support they are entitled to, as local authorities and healthcare workers fail to identify them as carers. With 788,000 people in Scotland estimated to care for a relative, friend or neighbour, the report calls for GPs and district nurses to do more to provide information about the support carers are entitled to.

Waverley Care’s Annual Review for 2017/18
'In years to come, when people look back at the history of HIV and hepatitis C in Scotland, you get the feeling that the past year will be viewed as a moment when the dynamic shifted', says CE Grant Sugden. In the world of HIV, the game-changing decision to make PrEP available on the NHS in Scotland, and the increasing influence of the Undetectable=Untransmittable message have the potential to make a huge difference to reducing new infections. Waverley Care's Annual Review takes a look back at some of the highlights – emphasising the relationships that help to make their work possible.

Other News

The Scottish Governance Code
The Code has been created for the third sector, by the third sector. It is a statement of best practice and has been developed by Scotland’s Third Sector Governance Forum following consultation with over 250 individuals and organisations.

Loosening the Grip: An Agenda for Action
On the first year anniversary of the Child Poverty Act, the Poverty Alliance has launched a new Agenda for Action,  setting out some of the decisions we can take in Scotland to help meet Scotland’s ambitious child poverty targets.

Holyrood Scrutiny of Human Rights
Ahead of the 70th anniversary of the UN adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, on 10 December, the Scottish Parliament’s  Equalities and Human Rights Committee has launched a call for views and hopes to hear from as many people in Scotland as possible. 

Watch SHRC short video: 'Right to Health' (Cath Denholm NHS Health Scotland) 

Improving Health Commission
Does your role have an impact on improving health and reducing inequality in Scotland? What would make this role easier to achieve? NHS Health Scotland wants to hear from a wide range of people across all the different sectors that we know have an impact on improving health.

Audit Scotland Report on health and social care integration 
The Report concludes that integration authorities, councils and NHS boards must work more collaboratively to achieve the hoped-for benefits. Long-term integrated financial and stable leadership were identified as key requirements.

FSS launches consultation on proposals to improve food eaten outside of the home in Scotland
Food Standards Scotland has launched a consultation on making food eaten outside the home healthier. The consultation will close on Thursday 28 February.

Major European health report published
The European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development have published a new report on the state of health in the EU. The report found that increases in life expectancy have slowed down and large disparities exist based on socioeconomic status.

Dementia Friendly Communities Development Funding
Through this one year development funding, the Life Changes Trust is looking to support those who are at the very earliest stages of starting a community that is Dementia Friendly. They are looking to fund both geographical Dementia Friendly Communities and communities of interest, large and small. Deadline is 14 December 2018.

OSCR has published new guidance
New guidance from OSCR including: making changes to your charity, charity investments and charity accounting requirements.

Scottish Government news
Neurological conditions action plan 2019-24: draft for consultation
Ending Homelessness
Alcohol Framework 2018: Preventing Harm
Improving alcohol & drug treatment
Support for young people in custody
Financial health checks

Dates for your diary
10 Dec Human Rights Day
10 Dec Alzheimer Scotland Annual Winter Lecture
11 Dec CPG on Health Inequalities Parliamentary Reception
CPG on Health Inequalities meeting 31 January

Other opportunities for VHS Members
Newsdirect - Political Intelligence
Looking to promote your issues in the scottish Parliament? Newsdirect is offering VHS members a discount on subscriptions on their daily parliamentary and political briefing, 'Health Today'.
Contact Newsdirect if you're interested in subscribing.