It is 10 years since the Scottish Government made dementia a national priority. A lot has changed in this time, with a number of significant developments in policy, practice and legislation which have driven improvements in the care and support for people with dementia, their families and carers. … [Read more...] about Owen’s Blog: Scotland Third National Dementia Strategy – Are we there yet?
Lesley’s Blog: Is loneliness among older people putting them at risk of harm and abuse?
As our new Helpline moves into its sixth month of operation, call trends are confirming an issue we’ve been hearing about for some time – that some older people are so desperately lonely that they’d rather put up with harm or abuse than risk losing contact with the abuser. We know that it can be … [Read more...] about Lesley’s Blog: Is loneliness among older people putting them at risk of harm and abuse?
Lorraine’s Blog: Looking through a public health lens – what did we see?
Audit Scotland has an interest in improving the health of the population – indeed, don’t we all? How do we know what’s value for money, what works and what’s important to people who use services? We have a commitment to try and find new ways of measuring the things that matter to people and … [Read more...] about Lorraine’s Blog: Looking through a public health lens – what did we see?
Claire’s blog: A National Strategy to Tackle Social Isolation and Loneliness
Recently I was delighted to give the opening address at the Scottish Government's stakeholder event on developing a National Strategy to Tackle Social Isolation and Loneliness. Here's a summary of what I said - and if you're interested in reading my presentation in full and seeing the Scottish … [Read more...] about Claire’s blog: A National Strategy to Tackle Social Isolation and Loneliness
Claire’s blog: Loneliness is a hard slog so let’s tackle it together
“I am very keen to keep on prodding out to the community. We look like a secret service building or prison, but we are actually quite nice and if you would like a cup of coffee come in and see us. So we are working away at that level. It is a hard slog." So said Jim, a 75 year old gay man with … [Read more...] about Claire’s blog: Loneliness is a hard slog so let’s tackle it together
VHS planning response to consultation on New Health and Social Care Standards
VHS are planning a response to the Scottish Government Consultation on the New Health and Social Care Standards. To help inform our response we held an information and discussion session in December. The keynote speaker was Dr Fiona Wardell from Healthcare Improvement Scotland who provided … [Read more...] about VHS planning response to consultation on New Health and Social Care Standards
Kiren’s blog: The Spirit of Kinder Communities
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) and Carnegie UK Trust discussion paper; ‘Kinder Communities: The Power of Everyday Relationships’ sets out some really interesting approaches to the way in which small acts of kindness can lay the ground work for cohesive communities and an enabling state. This … [Read more...] about Kiren’s blog: The Spirit of Kinder Communities
Rob’s Blog: HPON on Cross Party Groups
HPON or the Health Policy Officers Network is a peer support network of Health Policy Officers in small to medium sized organisations who meet to discuss policy issues affecting the voluntary health sector in a supportive environment. VHS and and Queen's Nursing Institute Scotland jointly administer … [Read more...] about Rob’s Blog: HPON on Cross Party Groups
Going the distance for the voluntary health sector
Just published, the VHS Annual Review 2016 gives a visual snapshot of what we've been doing this year promote and support the voluntary health sector's contribution to a fairer, healthier Scotland. We hope you like it - please let us know! If you would like to read a fuller account of our work … [Read more...] about Going the distance for the voluntary health sector
Katie’s blog: Loneliness, a threat to Scotland’s health
One in five of us feel lonely often or always, according to important research from British Red Cross, which describes loneliness as “an increasing but under-recognised crisis that is shortening lives and eroding the health and wellbeing of people across the UK.” Loneliness, and its threat to … [Read more...] about Katie’s blog: Loneliness, a threat to Scotland’s health
