Welcome to all our VHS members and wider network of supporters,
we hope you will enjoy this November e-bulletin: sharing news and views affecting the voluntary health sector.

VHS News & Events

VHS AGM and Annual Lecture 2022
Mark St Andrew’s Day with VHS by joining us for our Annual Lecture, AGM and networking lunch on Wednesday 30 November 2022 (9.30 - 12.30) at the wonderful Scottish Storytelling Centre  in Edinburgh. Our speakers: Susan Murray, Director of The David Hume Institute  and Susan Brown, Assistant Clerk to the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee will approach the theme of inequalities from their particular perspectives. 

Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities December Meeting 2022
Richard Meade, Director, Carers Scotland and Northern Ireland is our speaker at this online CPG meeting on 14 December, which will be chaired by Co-Convenor Emma Harper MSP. The topic will be unpaid carers and health inequalities, exploring the call for the development of a Respite and Recovery plan for unpaid carers. Book your place

Fair Health, Who Gets It?
We were delighted to welcomed 200 delegates to our Annual Conference: Fair Health, Who Gets It?, last month. Justina Murray Chaired with aplomb, Prof Jason Leitch got the conference off to a fantastic start, with his compelling inside stories of his role and experiences during the Covid 19 pandemic  and his key message to our delegates that our gathering was only possible because of the vaccine uptake!

Key note speaker, Chris Creggan warned that the widening health inequalities gap, disempowerment, and that the health of people in the most deprived communities is becoming even more detached from that of better off people was increasingly alarming.

A big thank you to everyone who presented, exhibited, facilitated or attended our annual conference  -  a conference and key messages report will be issued in due course. 

Thank you to all our poster finalists and congratulations to our poster winner: The Alliance Community Links Worker Programme! You can still view the posters on our website and catch up on the accompanying blogs here.

What price health? The Cost of Living Crisis, Health and the Third Sector
VHS members met online last month to discuss how the cost-of-living crisis was impacting their organisations and the people they support. Presentations from Toni Groundwater, Head of External Engagement  at Families Outside and Jennifer Forsyth, Policy and Evidence Manager at Obesity Action Scotland, kickstarted a lively discussion including: concerns about how organisations were going to keep up with demand for support over winter,  access to healthy food, the financial implications for families impacted by imprisonment, mental health, isolation and the wider impact of the crisis for children’s education and people’s standards of living. Read the key messages 

Health Inequalities Cross Party Group AGM & October 2022 Meeting
At this meeting last month we heard from Dr Carey Lunan, GP and Chair of Scottish Deep End Project and Laura Wilson, Practice & Policy Lead, Royal Pharmaceutical Society Scotland, who gave presentations exploring the role of communities in tackling health inequalities and the post Covid-19 response and the way health in communities adapted, learned and collaborated. View their presentations here and the draft minutes of the meeting here.

Strengthening Audit Scotland and third sector engagement
Leigh Johnston, Senior Manager, Audit Scotland, Blog: VHS met with Audit Scotland, with a view to strengthening opportunities for our members to understand and engage with the review work of Audit Scotland over the coming 12 months and beyond. 

The Scottish Community Link Worker Network
The SCLWN is the national network for primary care community link working in Scotland. You can find further information on the SCLWN's dedicated web page.

Get in touch if you have anything you would like to contribute to the SCLWN's webpages or SCLWN newsletter. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @ScotCLWnetwork or email Roisin Hurst, SCLWN Development Co-ordinator to find out more.

Policy News

Consultation Response: Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy
VHS responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. We also engaged with a government-run consultation event which we welcomed as it allowed for contributions to be heard from a broad spectrum of organisations and people. We carried out two significant pieces of work recently which focused on mental health and wellbeing - read more. 

Call for Views on Patient Safety Commissioner Bill
The Scottish Government introduced the Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland Bill in the Scottish Parliament on 6 October 2022. The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee has launched its Call for Views on the Bill. The Bill seeks to establish a new Parliamentary Commissioner, the Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland, independent of the NHS and government. The consultation closes on Wednesday 14 December.

SPICe briefing on National Care Service Bill published
The briefing provides an overview of the bill’s provisions and highlights some of the areas to be considered during Stage 1 scrutiny. It explains, as a framework bill, it will lay the foundations for a national care service, allowing for the substantive detail to be co-designed later and details the bill’s structure which is divided into four parts covering: the National Care Service, health and social care information, reforms connected to delivery and regulation of care and the final provisions of the bill. 

Ministers’ speeches at National Care Service Forum published
The Scottish Government has published ministerial speeches from the inaugural National Care Service (NCS) Forum, held on 3 October.  Kevin Stewart’s opening speech detailed the importance of delivering a NCS with human rights and co-design at its heart; Angela Constance spoke to the benefits of involving lived experience during efforts on the National Mission to reduce drug harm; and Humza Yousaf offered assurances the government would continue to engage throughout the development of the NCS.

Scottish Review of Mental Health Law
The final report of the Scottish Review of Mental Health Law has been published and presented to Scottish Government for consideration. It features major input from the voluntary sector, including direct quotes from many of the voices of lived experience, unpaid carers, practitioners and relevant groups and organisations, and makes over 200 recommendations for reform.

A national conversation to inform a new Dementia Strategy
Scottish Government want a national conversation with everyone interested in what a new Dementia Strategy for Scotland should look like. They have put together a discusssion paper to help people respond. Closes 5 Dec 2022

Allotments, food growing and community empowerment
The Scottish Parliament's Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee has published a report about the impact of Part 9 of the Community Empowerment Act on allotments and community growing. It says the cross-cutting importance of allotments and food growing should be reflected in wider strategies such as the National Planning Framework, the forthcoming Biodiversity Strategy, and implementation of the new Good Food Nation Bill. It should also be taken into account during the development of new legislation such as the Land Reform Bill and the Agriculture Bill. Clarity is needed from the Scottish Government about how the requirement for local authorities to publish Food Growing Strategies intersects with the new requirement to produce Good Food Nation strategies. Closer working between local authority planning departments and council officers responsible for allotments and green spaces would lead to better integration of growing opportunities into new developments.

Health Policy Officers Network (HPON)
The HPON is a peer group of health policy officers jointly administered by VHS and RNIB Scotland. The network is for small to medium sized third sector organisations - for more information about joining the HPON please contact Kimberley. 

VHS Members News

Creating Hope Together with Peer Support
Scottish Recovery Network welcomes the new Suicide Prevention Strategy and the recognition of the valuable contribution of peer support in our communities to provide space, compassion & hope for people in crisis. Scottish Government will fund the Scottish Recovery Network as part of the initial three-year action plan. This will boost community peer-support groups across the country. Download the Strategy and find out more 

Poverty Alliance position statement on the cost of living crisis and warm places as an emergency response
Recent interventions in energy costs and cost of living are not sufficient to protect people from poverty... While a compassionate response to an emergency situation may include dignified and attractive warm places hosted within communities these cannot meet our aspirations to protect and respect our human rights and to ensure that people are treated with dignity at all times. Read the full statement here.

ALLIANCE cost of living report calls for further emergency support
This new ALLIANCE report; ‘Disabled People, Unpaid Carers and the Cost of Living Crisis: Impacts, Responses and Long Term Solutions’, looks at the impact of the cost of living crisis in Scotland.

Scotland’s National Care Service - what do we know?
Equally Valued, a podcast bringing together the ALLIANCE, and healthandcare.scot  A lot has changed with regards to the National Care Service since the Feeley report's original recommendations. In this episode of Equally Valued, we take a look at how things currently lie with the largest social care reform in a generation. You can catch-up on previous episodes investigating: the impact of the fuel crisis on health inequalities and Scotland's progress toward a more fair and inclusive social security system here

One in five over-65s 'at malnutrition risk'
Research undertaken as part of Food Train’s Eat Well Age Well project warns that almost one in five over 65s are at risk of malnutrition in Scotland and the cost of living crisis will likely worsen this. Chief Executive, Michelle Carruthers: “Until screening is stepped up across the country, we will not get an accurate picture of those at risk, let alone the numbers of older people who are actually malnourished.”

Small grants for community organisations
Do you want help to improve health and wellbeing in your community by addressing smoking? A range of community groups have benefited from ASH Scotland’s small grants scheme.  Successful applicants receive: a small grant of £500, a package of tailored support, over 6 months and free resources and training. The next round of applications closes on 28 Nov 2022.

Conversation on the Scottish Government's new dementia strategy
Alzheimer Scotland  invite you to share your experiences and opinions to help shape the 4th National Dementia Strategy. Join an informal online meeting to tell them what matters most to you, or leave any thoughts on their online form. Find out more here

Break The Silence – charity transitions into hybrid model
As part of covid recovery plans, and in response to demand for flexible services, Break the Silence has now embraced a hybrid model: offering clients the choice of face-to-face, in person support through outreach venues, or through remote support: telephone counselling, virtual counselling, virtual eye movement de-sensitisation and re-processing (EMDR), and virtual group sessions.

Carers' Rights Day 2022: an intro to carers' rights: 24 Nov 10 - 11:30
Age Scotland are offering this workshop to highlight Carers Rights Day 2022, to enable carers across Scotland to learn more about their rights. The workshop will provide an introduction to the different rights of unpaid carers, and will increase carers’ confidence and knowledge to seek out these rights. It will have particular relevance to carers of people living with dementia,  unpaid carers of older people, as well as volunteers and those supporting carers.

Scottish Cancer Conference 2022: Tackling Cancer Inequalities
The Scottish Cancer Conference 2022 will be taking place on Monday 28 November in Edinburgh. The theme is tackling cancer inequalities as well as taking stock  of what has been achieved through the Scottish Government’s current Cancer Services Action Plan.This year’s conference presents an unrivalled opportunity to share, learn, network and understand the latest developments in our combined efforts to beat cancer.

Hidden in Plain Sight – The Cost of Imprisonment to Families
Imprisonment of a household member is one of ten Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), known to have long-term implications for health and wellbeing. This Families Outside conference on 16 November aims to highlight these families, the people who are hidden in plain sight and to whom the cost of imprisonment is significant.

Driving Discoveries: connecting the renal research community
Kidney Research UK, Driving Discoveries conference on the 9-10 November aims to bring together the renal community: to share how far they have come in renal research and how far they are going to push to achieve their goals. 

Alzheimer Scotland Annual Conference 2022
If you didn't manage to attend Alzheimer Scotland's Annual Conference: 'Prevent, Care, Cure' the videos from the day are now available to view  here  including the key note session on 'Protecting your brain health - preventing dementia'.

People Know How and Edinburgh Palette 
People Know How and Edinburgh Palette are delighted to present the Connect Four space, a space for cross-sectoral collaboration and social innovation in the heart of North Edinburgh's evolving Waterfront area that is now open to new tenant enquiries from any groups or organisations looking for office space.

Other News

Bereavement Education Annual Conference 2022 - Exploring Bereavement from a New Perspective Thursday 24 November 2022 
Deadline for registering:  Thursday 3 November 2022
This is the third annual NHS Education for Scotland bereavement conference – a free, one-day virtual event for all health and social care staff who come into contact with people when they are bereaved. The conference will be opened by Professor Jason Leitch, National Clinical Director, Scottish Government and the keynote speaker is Michael Rosen, author of ‘Many Different Kinds of Love: A story of life, death and the NHS’.

Leanne’s blog: see me, listen, be honest, help me understand
Leanne is a peer support facilitator working for Yoker Community Campus in Glasgow with the Chance to Change Group: an expert reference group for the Scottish Government supporting the implementation of recommendations made by the short-life working group on health inequalities in primary care. Her Blog reflects on  Holyrood's Health and Care Festival in September.

Poverty in Scotland 2022
This new Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) report paints a bleak picture of a society in crisis. Recommendations include: maintaining current tax levels and use of available funds to ease the COL for low-income households; all public services should show the same forbearance on debts they did during the Covid-19 pandemic and they should vigorously advertise the availability of cash support and their services. 

Demand and expenditure for adult social care in Scotland
The Fraser of Allander Institute has published a paper on demand and expenditure for adult social care in Scotland, within the context of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill. The paper sets out the various methods used to try and project both future demand and expenditure of met need in the adult social care system. 

The Royal Society of Edinburgh responds to Inquiry on Health Inequalities
The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), have published an advice paper responding to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee Inquiry on Health Inequalities. 

BMA calls to rethink Health and Economy
The BMA has published a report calling on the UK Government to consider the health of the population as crucial to sustainable economic growth in light of rapidly declining population health and widening health inequalities. 

Cost of National Care Service has been “understated” warns Audit Scotland
Audit Scotland has said the Scottish Government has understated the potential cost of the proposed National Care Service. In a written submission to the Finance and Public Administration Committee, Audit Scotland says several costs associated with the measures set out in the bill have yet to be assessed, highlighting issues around pensions, VAT changes, changes to capital investment costs and health board transition costs. 

Living in deprived areas increases frailty in old age
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have found people who spend part of their life living in socially deprived neighbourhoods are more likely to be frail in old age.

£65 million available to support people who use drugs
Frontline and third sector organisations which help people who use drugs turn their lives around and offer support to their families are invited to apply for Scottish Government funding from a pot of £65 million which will help people on their road to recovery. The money is being channelled through the Local Support Fund which is open all year round. Two  further funding pots opened on 20 October - the Improvement Fund for organisations delivering residential rehabilitation and associated services, and the Children and Families Fund which gives financial help to those working with the loved ones of those affected. All funds are administered through the CORRA Foundation.

Scottish Rural Health Partnership Grants
The Scottish Rural Health Partnership invite applications to this year’s Rural Challenge Fund. Grants of up to £5,000 will provide funding for projects and activities that support development of the Knowledge Exchange and Evidence Base, around Remote, Rural and Island Health, and Social Care in Scotland. Deadline: 23 November 2022

Action Earth Grants now taking applications
Grants of up to £250 are available and can be used to purchase materials to improve or enhance green spaces and wildlife habitats. Projects must complete by January 2023.

Children In Need to Help Fund charities with core costs
Children In Need, has responded to the cost of living crisis and announced it will fund charities’ running costs for the first time in a bid to help them “keep their doors open". 

Scottish Government news

Emergency Budget Review published
Healthcare awareness campaign launched
Expanding Scotland’s medical workforce
Scotland leads on the Real Living Wage
Scotland is world’s first Daily Mile Nation
National cancer plan: progress report - August 2022
Supporting survivors of violence and abuse
Helping detect cancer earlier
Extra winter cash for low income families
£65 million support for drugs services
Preparing the NHS for Winter
Health and social care: winter resilience overview 2022 to 2023
Number of hospital operations increases

Covid 19 news

PHS evaluates COVID vaccination programme as it surpasses one million winter boosters
The report recommends a number of legacy lessons for vaccination programmes in Scotland on public health information, communications, strategies to improve vaccine uptake, data system and the sustainability of future vaccination programmes. 

Winter vaccines for remaining priority groups

Winter Vaccination Programme 2022 to 2023: COVID-19 and seasonal flu deployment plan

All headline COVID-19 data can be sourced from Public Health Scotland’s (PHS) COVID-19 Daily Dashboard.

Dates for your diary
7-11 Nov: SCVO Trustees Week events
8-9 Nov: Children in Scotland's Annual Conference 2022: What's next?
9-10 Nov: Driving Discoveries: connecting the renal research community
13 Nov: Hidden in Plain Sight: The Cost of Imprisonment to Families
24 Nov: NES Bereavement Conference - Exploring Bereavement from a New Perspective
28 Nov: Scottish Cancer Conference 2022
30 Nov: VHS AGM and Annual Lecture

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.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran - Get involved by joining our Pharmacy Practices Committee
NHS Ayrshire & Arran wants to appoint a number of voluntary Public Committee Members to their Pharmacy Practices Committee (PPC) - find out how to get involved here.