There is a lot to be celebrated in the Scottish Government’s spending commitments detailed yesterday regarding prevention and health creation. However, the lack of explicit reference to the third sector in commitments related to health and social care will likely receive a frosty reception from … [Read more...] about VHS Response: Scottish Budget 2026-27 and Spending Review
Joint Statement on Prevention: Putting the ‘hard-to-do’ parts of preventative policy into practice
Ahead of the Scottish Budget next week, VHS, The ALLIANCE, Scottish Community Development Centre and Edinburgh Community Health Forum have prepared a follow-up to last year's joint statement on prevention reinforcing how the 'hard-to-do' parts of preventative policy should be put into … [Read more...] about Joint Statement on Prevention: Putting the ‘hard-to-do’ parts of preventative policy into practice
Sarah’s Blog: Will a shift to prevention heal Scotland’s third sector?
Our wonderful third sector is not in the best of health and, ahead of this year’s election, improving our sector’s life expectancy is a key priority. Fair Funding and formal recognition of the sector would help, but is a shift to prevention in public services the long-term cure that we need? SCVO … [Read more...] about Sarah’s Blog: Will a shift to prevention heal Scotland’s third sector?
Policy News: December Edition
The December edition of VHS Policy News is out now! This monthly bulletin provides opportunities to contribute to our policy work, updates on recent VHS policy activity, as well as accessible information about wider relevant policy developments. To receive this newsletter directly to your … [Read more...] about Policy News: December Edition
VHS Reflections on Audit Scotland ‘NHS in Scotland 2025’ Report
The Auditor General’s annual report looking at the finance and performance of Scotland’s NHS, published on the 4th December 2025, provides welcome insights into the current state of our health service. It also reinforces many of our recent reflections and policy asks, detailed in our recent … [Read more...] about VHS Reflections on Audit Scotland ‘NHS in Scotland 2025’ Report
VHS supports the Manifesto for Social Connection
The Scottish Forum on Isolation and Loneliness launched a manifesto yesterday, signed by VHS, calling on the next Scottish Government to make tackling loneliness a national priority. This year the Forum, co-facilitated by Befriending Networks and Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS), has … [Read more...] about VHS supports the Manifesto for Social Connection
VHS Response: NHS Delivery Consultation
Today we responded to the Scottish Government consultation on a new NHS Delivery Organisation which closes on the 30th November. This consultation invites views on the proposed merger of NHS Education Scotland (NES) and NHS National Services Scotland (NSS). In our response, we welcome the … [Read more...] about VHS Response: NHS Delivery Consultation
Statement: UK Covid-19 Inquiry Report
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry report, published last week, acknowledges that some government pandemic responses contributed to health inequalities in Scotland. It also provides important and timely insights for future pandemic preparedness, as well as for decision-making about health inequalities more … [Read more...] about Statement: UK Covid-19 Inquiry Report
Policy News: November Edition
The November edition of VHS Policy News is out now! This monthly bulletin provides opportunities to contribute to our policy work, updates on recent VHS policy activity, as well as accessible information about wider relevant policy developments. To receive this newsletter directly to your … [Read more...] about Policy News: November Edition
VHS Response: Quality Prescribing for Chronic Pain
In our response to the Scottish Government's consultation on Quality Prescribing for Chronic Pain guidance, we welcome the recognition of social prescribing as an effective non-pharmacological approach for treating chronic pain. The community link worker model in particular has considerable … [Read more...] about VHS Response: Quality Prescribing for Chronic Pain
