Welcome to our June 2019 E-bulletin: sharing news & views from the VHS network & updates from Scottish Government & the NHS affecting the voluntary health sector.

VHS News & Events

Realising the Right to Health: VHS Annual Conference 
What do we understand by the Right to Health? What efforts are being made to make the Right a reality?  This year’s Annual Conference on Tuesday 17 September in Glasgow will explore these important questions. Speakers confirmed:

Conference Keynote Speaker: Christina McKelvie MSP, Minister for Older People and Equalities Conference Chair: Cath Denholm, Director of Strategy, NHS Health Scotland 
Tim Eltringham, Director of South Ayrshire Health & Social Care Partnership
The Charter for Change Advocacy Group fromm Drink Wise, Age Well
Rachael McKechnie, National Engagement and Partnership Lead, Social Security Scotland
Rosie Tyler-Greig, Policy and Influencing Manager, LGBT Health and Wellbeing

 Register now - if you have any queries please contact Lauren Blair.

Public Health Scotland: Have Your Say
VHS is hosting an afternoon Sounding Board so that third sector organisations can find out more about Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Government consultation, ask questions and share their views. At the Sounding Board we will hear from Robert Girvan and Mark McAllister from the Scottish Government Public Health Reform Team. Book your place here.

Third sector round table on infection control
Keep the date for this collaborative round table on infection control, organised by VHS in partnership with Health Protection Scotland and Coalition of Care Providers Scotland, on 6 August (10am-1pm)  in Glasgow. Further information will be available soon. To express an interest email Lauren Blair.

Valuing and Sustaining Volunteering in Health
Thanks to everyone who presented and attended this conference last month. We have now posted the Key Messages Report and  presentations available from the day on our website and there is also a link to a selection of great photos from the day - see if you can spot yourself! 

To celebrate Volunteers Week we also have 4 fantastic volunteering themed blog’s from Susan Brown from Marie Curie; Alison Bunce from Compassionate Inverclyde; Lisa Taylor from the Scottish Health Council and Helen Webster from the Scottish Government.

Joint CPG meeting Lung Health and Health Inequalities
The Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities meeting on Tuesday 18 June is a joint meeting with the Lung Health Cross Party Group to discuss inequalities in relation to lung health in Scotland. The meeting will be jointly chaired by Donald Cameron MSP, Co-Convenor of the Health Inequalities CPG and Emma Harper MSP Convenor of the Lung Health CPG. 

Healthy Universities for Healthy Communities
VHS is a partner in the new Healthy Universities for Healthy Communities initiative, led by the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Dundee. Knowledge café events to explore actions on how we can work together to inform better health and wellbeing  will be held at Pfeffermill in Edinburgh on 27 June (12.30 - 3.30) & Glasgow on 25 July. Please email Uni Dundee for further information / registration. A final Showcase event, to share conclusions and recommendations, will be held in Dundee on 18 September.

Save the dates!
VHS Parliamentary Reception of the Health Inequalities Cross Party Group, Sponsored by Anas Sarwar MSP, in the Garden Lobby of the Scottish Parliament  on Tuesday 5 November.

VHS AGM will be a half day morning event followed by lunch on 20 November in Edinburgh. We are delighted to welcome as our guest speaker, Dr William Bird MBE, CEO and Founder of Intelligent Health, GP, creator of Green Gyms, Beat the Street & Health Walks.

Policy News

Understanding the proposed Good Food Nation Bill
VHS have produced a briefing explaining the proposed Good Food Nation Bill, what it aims to achieve and how this could impact people’s health and wellbeing. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the briefing further please contact VHS.

Whistleblowing Consultation
The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman is consulting on a new Whistleblowing Consultation that seeks views on complaints in the NHS. VHS is submitting a response that focuses on volunteers within NHS settings and services that are delivered by the NHS with third sector partners. If you would like more information or are thinking of submitting a response please contact VHS. Consultation closes: 28 June.

Drug and Alcohol Services in Scotland
Audit Scotland have published an update on the progress of drug and alcohol services over the last ten years since the Scottish Government’s first national harm reduction strategy. The report also makes suggestions for actions that would help to successfully implement the government’s new strategy, Rights, respect and recovery: alcohol and drug treatment strategy, launched last year.

Scottish Government launches consultation on children’s rights
The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on incorporating the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law. Consultation closes: 14 August 2019.

Scottish Government launched  new Volunteering  Framework
Launched in May the Framework was highlighted throughout the VHS conference on Valuing and Sustaining Volunteering in Health. The Framework aims to make a strong case for volunteering, define key outcomes, identify key data and evidence to inform the development of volunteering, and enable informed debate and decision making about volunteering programmes, investments and interventions.

GDC seeks views on ‘working with the dental team for public safety and confidence’
The General Dental Council (GDC) has launched a consultation on its strategy for 2020-22 ‘Working with the dental team for public safety and confidence’. The consultation seeks, a conversation about the choices to be made in delivering the regulator’s broad statutory objectives. Deadline: 30 July 2019.

VHS Members' News & Events

Clare’s blog: Working Together to Address Inequality
Clare Cable is Chief Executive and Senior Nurse Director at Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland and was delighted that QNIS was chosen as one of three VHS submissions to present a parallel session at the  NHS Scotland Event 2019. Here she shares the content of the presentation as a blog.

VolunteerWiki
This resource has been developed by Volunteer Edinburgh with support from partners, to give volunteer managers access to high quality, reliable and up to date information on managing volunteers.  It holds a wealth of valuable articles, policies and template documents.

 MyVolunteering
Volunteer Edinburgh’s Health & Employability Team have launched MyVolunteering to showcase the impact volunteering has made in the lives of ordinary people – many with lived experience who have used volunteering as part of their recovery. They encourage readers to share their own experience - whether that be a story, poem, cartoon, photo, or spoken word.

Invitation for Expressions of Interest in the Evaluation of the ‘Eat Well Age Well’ Initiative, Part of the ‘Food Train’ Charity
Eat Well Age Well  are currently seeking expressions of interest in the evaluation of the ‘Eat Well Age Well’ initiative. Expressions of interest should be submitted to Nigel Lack by 12 noon on Friday 21 June 2019. No late submissions will be accepted.

Minimum unit pricing - one year on
The 1 May marked the 1st anniversary of the implementation of minimum unit pricing (MUP) of alcohol in Scotland. Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland (AFS) said, “AFS remains confident that MUP will save the lives of hundreds of Scots and improve the wellbeing of thousands more.”

Dementia Information Resources
Alzheimer’s Scotland have launched five new information resources aimed at benefiting people who have received a dementia diagnosis, or for those who care for them.

 Resource pack to help care home residents sit less and walk more
 Paths for All, working with Perth & Kinross Health & Social Care Partnership, Live Active Leisure, and care home residents and staff, have developed a ‘Care about Walking’ resource pack which aims to improve older adult’s physical, mental and social heath by encouraging them to move more in and around their care home. Being active can also help reduce the risk of falls.

SPRING social prescription initiative: how fresh air saved my life
Lorn & Oban Healthy Options feature in this Herald article, showcasing their work and involvement in the SPRING social prescription initiative (SSPI). SSPI brings together community-led health organisations to deliver non-medical support to patients -  GPs are encouraging people to take greater control of their health and wellbeing, and steering them towards social connection and activity.

The Truacanta Project
This new initiative being run by the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care, and funded by Macmillan Cancer Support will support local communities to improve people’s experiences of death, dying, loss and care. Up to four communities will receive community development advice and support from The Truacanta Project for two years. Expressions of interest by 15 June 2019.

Edinburgh City Centre Transformation – The Proposals
This SPOKES public meeting  on 14 June, 7.30-9.30, in Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL will hear the transformation proposals and early responses to them, followed by a full hour for questions and discussion from the floor with the speakers' panel.

Cinema, Film, Health and Wellbeing Community Learning Exchange
This community learning exchange on 19 June is for social enterprises interested in the role of cinema and film in health and wellbeing. Birks Cinema, a social enterprise based in Aberfeldy, is a unique state-of-the-art rural cinema showing the latest movies and delivering a wide selection of programmes and projects that contribute to the health and wellbeing of the community.

Survey on people's experiences of Self-directed Support (SDS) in Scotland
If you use social care and Self-directed Support or have been assessed for social care in the last 12 months, The ALLIANCE and Self Directed Support Scotland want to hear from you. You can have your say by completing their national survey about your experiences of being assessed for and receiving SDS.

Website refresh for nationally-recognised IMPACT training
ASH Scotland is the leading national charity taking action to reduce the harm caused by tobacco.  Much of their work focuses on inequalities relating to tobacco use. Their nationally-recognised IMPACT training programme helps third-sector organisations consider how they might discuss the topic with the people they help support – and free training is available as part of the work that they do. Check out the refreshed IMPACT website and see below for details of forthcoming nationally-recognised training courses.

Smoking and Mental Health: Understanding the IMPACT
19th June /  11th September /  11th December (all 10.00-12.00) Free, two-hour training around the links between smoking and mental health is available to third-sector organisations. It comprises a one-hour online session (completed in advance) and a two-hour face-to-face session delivered in central Edinburgh  The aim is to equip workers who support people with lived experience of mental health problems with the knowledge, skills and confidence to initiate a conversation on smoking, and to discuss options for supporting people who are ready to quit. For more information: 0131 225 4725.

Other News

Investing in Communities Fund open for applications
Community groups and projects can now apply to the £11.5 million Investing in Communities Fund to tackle disadvantage, poverty and inequality. Grants of up to £250,000 are available over three years providing stability and recognising the need for longer term planning in some projects. The fund is open to applications/guidance notes and will close on 14 June 2019.

Funding available to help local charities implement the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is set to launch a third round of the Carers Act Transformation Support (CATS) Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government, to give third sector organisations involved in the local implementation of the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 the opportunity to apply for small grants to support their work.

A Public Health Leadership Programme for Scotland: ‘A Place to Be’ 
NHS Health Scotland wish to encourage participation on this programme, running in September 2019 and January 2020 from senior third sector colleagues who have a demonstrable commitment to public health leadership / goals. They have secured  funding for participation on the programmes, some support may also be available for travel / accommodation.  To find out more and / or request an application form please contact Pip or phone 01463 704789. Deadline for applications: 21 June 2019

Health Scotland sets out delivery plan for forthcoming reforms
NHS Health Scotland has published its Final Delivery Plan prior to becoming part of Public Health Scotland. Key priorities include the early years, mental wellbeing, reducing the harm associated with alcohol & tobacco, a sustainable economy and improving levels of health eating and physical activity.

Audit Scotland update on drug and alcohol services
The briefing found £740m was spent on problem drug and alcohol use between 2008-2018, though drug-related deaths are still rising. The update sets out five areas for further progress to help the Government’s Rights, Respect and Recovery alcohol and drug treatment strategy.

Briefing on primary care in Scotland
SPICe has published a briefing on primary care, it outlines the Government’s vision for the future of primary care services and the budget for Community Health Services. 

Scottish Ambulance Service Survey
As the SAS comes to the end of their current 2020 strategy, they want to identify what matters to people so they know what to include in the new 2030 strategy, which dictates where their focus and resources will go. They want to know what you feel is important. Responses by 14 June.

Impact of in-premise marketing on consumer purchasing & consumption of food & drink
NHS Health Scotland have reviewed the evidence on the impact of marketing high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) food and drink. The evidence suggests, marketing of HFSS foods encourages unplanned purchases. Restrictions in marketing practices may be an effective way to support healthier choices. Listen & watch Public Health Intelligence Principal discuss the report in 60 seconds here. 

RCPE Heritage - 'Moonstruck: 500 years of mental health'
The illustrations, books and objects displayed in this exhibition at the RCPE from 14 June, show the changing understanding of mental health over the last 500 years.

Updated OSCR guidance on the legal requirements for preparing charity accounts
The Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) recently updated its guidance on the legal requirements for preparing charity accounts to help charity trustees better understand the requirements. OSCR’s A Guide to Charity Accounts explains the type of accounts that a charity should prepare and the kind of external scrutiny of the accounts that is required. In addition to this, there are also two new guides for independent examination, one aimed at trustees and the other at independent examiners.

Poverty and Inequality Commission’s response to the Scottish Budget
The Poverty and Inequality Commission has analysed the extent to which the Scottish Budget tackles poverty and inequality. The Commission has looked at what is being spent in the Budget to tackle poverty and inequality; how effectively tax policy is being used to raise revenue to fund public services; and how evidence is used in the Budget to make decisions around tackling poverty and inequality.

New frailty collaborative for community teams 
The new Living and Dying Well with Frailty Collaborative is open for applications from Health and Social Care Partnerships and GP Clusters in Scotland. This initiative, aims to reduce hospital bed stays and unscheduled GP home visits by 10% (per 1,000 people) by October 2020.  Applications from community teams should be jointly submitted by HSCPs and GP Clusters between 17 June and 19 July 2019. 

Getting Transitions Right
The Scottish Transitions Forum are  widely recognised as the experts in transitions and the body who are leading change locally and nationally. They are running 3 one day courses  (27 Aug: Inverness, 25 Sept: Dunfermline and 22 Nov: Dalkeith) which will inform and inspire you to develop approaches that enable young people  with additional needs to reach their potential in adult life. 

Provision of mental health services for young people report
The Youth Commission on Mental Health Services has published its report on the provision of mental health services for young people. The report recommends the provision of access to peer-to-peer support in every Scottish secondary school. 

Inequalities in the twenty-first century: introducing the IFS Deaton Review
Discussion of inequalities increasingly defines economic and political debate. This report introduces the IFS (Institute for Fiscal Studies) Deaton Review, setting out some key background facts, questions and puzzles that will be addressed over the next five years.

Scottish Government news
Addressing body image
Investing in communities fund
DBI project extended
Breastfeeding support
Financial support for carers
Best start grants
Tackling poverty & inequality
Home BP monitoring
Suicide prevention training

Dates for your diary
11 June Scottish Transitions Forum Conference
12 June 2019 Active Travel Conference: Widening Access to Active Travel
19 June Digital Life, Legacy and Afterlife
19 June Cinema, Film, Health and Wellbeing Community Learning Exchange
22-24 June CRFR Conference: Intersectionality, Families and Relationships
25 June JRF Conference: Framing for Influence: Building the will to solve poverty in Scotland

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.