Audit Scotland says that significant risks must be addressed if the reform of health and social care is to fundamentally change how services are delivered and improve outcomes for the people who use them. Their report Health and Social Care Integration is published today, 3rd December … [Read more...] about VHS welcomes Audit Scotland report on health and social care integration
Lucy’s blog: rights and recovery for transformational change
This is a critical time for mental health in Scotland. Funding crises and shrinking services mean that many people who experience mental health problems are unable to get the support they need, when they need it. Meanwhile, increasing numbers of people are affected by mental health problems as a … [Read more...] about Lucy’s blog: rights and recovery for transformational change
Charities appeal to Chancellor of Exchequer to spare Big Lottery funding
Ahead of George Osborne's Autumn Statement due on 25th November 2015, VHS has joined forces with 20 other charities in Scotland to send him an open letter. The letter urges the Chancellor not to raid Lottery cash to make up for cuts in the arts and sport, a proposal apparently being actively … [Read more...] about Charities appeal to Chancellor of Exchequer to spare Big Lottery funding
Lesley’s blog: the day the Minister visited Cope Scotland
It was a typically dreich and misty early November morning as I arrived in Drumchapel on my way to Cope Scotland. I found myself in a car park behind a pub and a row of shops. Finding a side entrance I rang the bell and the door was opened by a cheerful young man, Andrew - a staff member at Cope … [Read more...] about Lesley’s blog: the day the Minister visited Cope Scotland
Conference Key Messages: Closing the Gap
Voluntary Health Scotland held our annual conference and AGM on Wednesday the 11th of November in Edinburgh. The purpose of the conference was to make Scotland’s health inequalities a much greater priority for policy and interventions, to inform VHS’s future work and to promote a partnership … [Read more...] about Conference Key Messages: Closing the Gap
Katie’s blog: Closing the Gap conference reflections
”We all have a piece of the jigsaw but are seeing the picture differently,” Hilda Campbell of COPE Scotland said of efforts to tackle health inequalities at Voluntary Health Scotland’s annual conference last week. “Now, we need to move from looking at our piece of the jigsaw and starting to put … [Read more...] about Katie’s blog: Closing the Gap conference reflections
Claire’s blog: how to actively suppress health inequalities
VHS Chief Officer Claire Stevens writes: “Gentlemen, we have run out of money. It's time to start thinking” nuclear physicist Ernest Rutherford famously said. Addressing health inequalities shouldn’t be Mission Impossible, but we need to be bold and act as though time itself has run out - … [Read more...] about Claire’s blog: how to actively suppress health inequalities
Norman’s blog: squaring the circle for families in poverty
VHS trustee Norman Craig writes: Circle is a charity that helps young people and their families damaged by alcohol, identifying a range of support services that can help them come through crisis, including accessing financial support. Representing VHS I attended Circle’s AGM on 7th October … [Read more...] about Norman’s blog: squaring the circle for families in poverty
Lorna’s blog: reflecting on my first year as VHS Chair
I hope you will read this year’s VHS ANNUAL REVIEW 2015 and agree that it captures the commitment and energy of VHS and our members working together to make a difference. In my first 12 months as Chair of the Board it has been very evident to me that VHS has secured new levels of respect and … [Read more...] about Lorna’s blog: reflecting on my first year as VHS Chair
Discussion Note: Audit Scotland examines emerging risks in health and social care integration
Audit Scotland invited VHS to help it engage with the third sector during its current audit of health and social care integration. We organised an engagement meeting on 19th October 2015, involving Audit Scotland and members of the national third sector group on health and social care … [Read more...] about Discussion Note: Audit Scotland examines emerging risks in health and social care integration
