This briefing summarises the Social Work in Scotland audit report for a third sector audience. The report has been prepared by Audit Scotland for the Accounts Commission in September 2016. The aim of the audit was to examine how effectively councils are planning to address the financial and … [Read more...] about Summary Briefing of ‘Social Work in Scotland’
Key Messages from Audit Scotland Roundtable event
VHS has been leading a series of discussions between Audit Scotland, members of the Third Sector Health and Social Care Collaborative and the wider third sector since October 2015. On the 4th of October we held another roundtable event to explore areas of mutual interest and key questions that the … [Read more...] about Key Messages from Audit Scotland Roundtable event
Nicola’s blog: self-management messages – more of a nudge than a shove
Is there still a rebellious child lurking in all of us? Well, all I can say is that mine is alive and well. I am extremely self-motivated to do what interests me or things I know I need to do but even now – choose the wrong time or method to try to get me to do something you want me to do…and you … [Read more...] about Nicola’s blog: self-management messages – more of a nudge than a shove
Kiren’s Blog: Meeting with the Health and Sport Committee
During my third week in post as the new Policy Engagement Officer at VHS I attended my first Health Policy Officer’s Network (HPON) meeting which took place at the Scottish Parliament. HPON is a peer support and networking group of policy officers based in health and is administered jointly by VHS … [Read more...] about Kiren’s Blog: Meeting with the Health and Sport Committee
Claire’s blog: what does Brexit mean for health?
Holyrood Magazine’s editor Mandy Rhodes hosted a fascinating panel discussion (22nd September 2016) on Brexit’s implications for health. Panel members were GCU’s Professor Alison Britton, Labour health spokesman Anas Sarwar MSP, BMA’s Dr Peter Bennie and Unison’s Dave Watson. All four described … [Read more...] about Claire’s blog: what does Brexit mean for health?
Community Link Worker survey now open
Can you tell us about any Community Link Worker initiatives you are involved in? VHS's national scoping exercise for The Scottish Government, announced in August 2016, is now underway. Mapping of existing third sector provision will help inform the government’s plans to develop 250 Community Link … [Read more...] about Community Link Worker survey now open
Health Policy Officers Network
The Health Policy Officers Network or HPON is a peer support network for health policy officers working in small to medium sized charities. The group is administered jointly by Voluntary Health Scotland (VHS), and the Queens Nursing Institute for Scotland (QNIS), and meets regularly to discuss key … [Read more...] about Health Policy Officers Network
Responding to Mental Health in Scotland – A 10 year vision
During August/September 2016 the Scottish Government consulted on their proposed framework and priorities to transform mental health in Scotland. The VHS response focused around 3 priorities that we think can help deliver any transformation: giving the third sector an explicit role at the core of … [Read more...] about Responding to Mental Health in Scotland – A 10 year vision
Rob’s blog: Health Policy Officers Network gets underway
Recently, the Queens Nursing Institute Scotland and VHS agreed there was potential for a networking group of policy officers based in health. Working in smaller organisations can be difficult, in terms of limited capacity to keep up to date with the latest developments. A network would provide … [Read more...] about Rob’s blog: Health Policy Officers Network gets underway
Catherine’s blog – some parting words…
Today marks my final day with VHS and, although my time here has been relatively brief, a lot has happened in the past 8 months in health policy world and there’s lots more coming up too. It seems appropriate to wrap things up by highlighting some key areas of work on the VHS radar over the coming … [Read more...] about Catherine’s blog – some parting words…
