• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About us
  • Who we are
  • Contact us

Voluntary Health Scotland

The national intermediary and network for voluntary health organisations in Scotland.

One Goal Many Voices Unlimited Potential

One Goal Many Voices Unlimited Potential

We are the national intermediary and network for voluntary health organisations in Scotland

  • Home
  • What we do
    • Clear Pathway
    • Health Policy Officers Network
    • Current work
    • Past work
  • Health Topics
    • COVID-19
    • Health Inequalities
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Health & Social Care Integration
    • Other
  • News & Blogs
  • Events
    • Messages & Learning
  • Get Involved
    • How to join
    • Our full members
    • E-mail
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
You are here: Home / News / A Spoonful of Money: Incentivising Healthcare

A Spoonful of Money: Incentivising Healthcare

October 2, 2014

On 14 August 2014 VHS members Waverley Care  co-facilitated a debate in Edinburgh as part of the Just Festival , exploring the ethical issues around giving financial rewards to people in relation to their healthcare.

Broadcaster and journalist Sheena McDonald chaired the debate and speakers included John Dillon, Clinical Lead at NHS Tayside, a health board that gives incentives to encourage people with hepatitis C into treatment. The debate asked: is this a good use of NHS resources for the greater good or an undermining of personal responsibility? Where is the line between personal responsibility and public health?

John Dillon wants to stop the spread of Hepatitis C, and is paying patients to help him. He explained how Scotland has a world-leading action plan to prevent liver failure and liver cancer, and the number of patients affected is now flat-lining, as predicted. Dr Natasha Martin made a mathematical model for how Hepatitis C spreads among the drug-using population. Assuming a 20%-40% prevalence among that population in Scotland, and if just 10 to 20 in 1000 of these are treated, then prevalence can be reduced to under 5%. Eventually, Scotland could eradicate Hepatitis C.

It was assumed to be impossible to treat drug users, because the treatment is unpleasant and has to be completed to be effective, but in fact heroin users in Tayside are engaging with this programme.

Patients at a needle exchange in Dundee who agreed to undergo treatment were given £5 Asda vouchers (not to be used for cigarettes or alcohol), along with protein supplements. Patients were not asked to change their drug use. There are currently 43 patients involved, of whom 14 have completed the course and 12 have been cured of Hepatitis C. One initially agreed but then committed a crime and was apprehended, and was treated in prison. The drop-out rate was low. It is still early days in the project, but there is some initial evidence of crime and drug use rates among the group going down too.

Read  Waverley Care’s transcript notes of John’s presentation and the debate here: A SPOONFUL OF MONEY – INCENTIVISING HEALTHCARE NOTES

The Just Festival involves over twelve faith, belief and non-faith committees “encouraging community by exploring diversity”.  JUST organises an annual festival in Edinburgh each August and other events throughout the year, including conversations, civic cafes, films, talks and workshops.  Visit their  events page or sign up to  their mailing list

Filed Under: News Tagged With: healthcare, RESOURCES, Waverley Care

Search by Health Topic

Search by Health Topic

Find latest news, blogs, events, resources and useful links by health topic:

Messages and Learning

VHS response to Renewing Scotland’s full potential in a digital world


#WeArePublicHealth: Conference Key Messages


#WeArePublicHealth Poster Competition Finalists


#WeArePublicHealth Conference Exhibitors


Key Messages: Challenge Poverty Week: Food Insecurity, Poverty and Health


Show All

Other news

Engage with the Inequalities in Health Alliance

15/01/2021

Lucie’s Blog: Know what’s working to prevent homelessness? Crisis want to hear from you

13/01/2021

What’s new? Read our January 2021 e-bulletin

12/01/2021

Get Involved

Our members work with us to amplify the voice and influence of voluntary health organisations.We welcome new members from all sectors.

Tell us your news or write a blog

Subscribe to e-bulletin

Join us now

Contact Us

  • (if applicable)
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Find us

T: 0131 474 6189
E: mail@vhscotland.org.uk

Voluntary Health Scotland
Mansfield Traquair Centre
15 Mansfield Place
Edinburgh
EH3 6BB

Copyright © 2021 Voluntary Health Scotland · Registered Scottish Charity SC035482 · Company Limited by Guarantee SC267315

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms and conditions

Website built by graphics.coop Powered by WordPress