The Health Policy Officers Network or HPON 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 HPON: Planning (Scotland) Bill
Connecting Health in Scotland and New Zealand
We are set to hold a fascinating international exchange of views and experiences over lunch, in a round table discussion with Paula Baker, Manager of the Braemar Charitable Trust, Hamilton, New Zealand. Paula is coming to Edinburgh this September for the Social Enterprise World Forum and reached … [Read more...] about Connecting Health in Scotland and New Zealand
Best Start Foods: making the most of the Healthy Start reform
Join Nourish Scotland and Voluntary Health Scotland on 22nd May to discuss how the reform of Healthy Start into Best Start Foods in Scotland can best benefit our low-income families. We will hear from the Scottish Government’s Welfare Foods team about their proposals for a new Best Start Foods … [Read more...] about Best Start Foods: making the most of the Healthy Start reform
Health Policy Officers Network: Digital Health and Care Strategy
On 4th April the Health Policy Officers Network invited Mark Simpson, Communications and Engagement Manager at the Scottish Government eHealth division and Zahid Deen Digital Health and Care Strategic Lead at the Health and Social Care Alliance to speak about the Digital Health and Care Strategy. … [Read more...] about Health Policy Officers Network: Digital Health and Care Strategy
Health Policy Officers Network: Brexit, Health and Social Care
On 22nd March 2018 the Health Policy Officers Network met with the Scottish Parliament SPICe Team to discuss the possible implications of Brexit on Health and Social Care in Scotland. The meeting focused on a number of key issues such as Workforce, cost and availability of medication and medical … [Read more...] about Health Policy Officers Network: Brexit, Health and Social Care
VHS Annual Conference and AGM 2018
BOOK NOW to secure your place at Get The Picture: Culture, Health and Wellbeing - our 2018 conference, taking place in Edinburgh's John McIntyre conference centre. This is your opportunity to join with health charities, other voluntary and community health organisations, health boards, health and … [Read more...] about VHS Annual Conference and AGM 2018
Health, human rights and the EU Withdrawal Bill
There are a number of opportunities right now for third sector organisations to engage with the EU Withdrawal Bill. Over 52 third sector organisations, including VHS, are urging MPs to vote for Amendment NC44 to the Bill. They believe the amendment is necessary to safeguard the interests of … [Read more...] about Health, human rights and the EU Withdrawal Bill
Lobbying Act – what is going on?
The Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016, informally known as the ‘Lobbying Act’ will become officially active on 12 March 2018. Passed in 2016, the Act states that certain face-to-face meetings with MSPs or the Scottish Government’s Ministers, Special Advisers or Permanent Secretary need to be registered … [Read more...] about Lobbying Act – what is going on?
Health Policy Officers Network: Next Stages of the Public Health Reform
The Health Policy Officers Network (HPON) held its 6th Meeting on 20th September 2017 with Robert Skey from the Scottish Government as the key speaker. Robert is leading on the Public Health Reform and discussed the progress so far, the next steps in the reform process and the development of the new … [Read more...] about Health Policy Officers Network: Next Stages of the Public Health Reform
Membership Survey 2017 Results
In June 2017 we sent out a membership survey to our 156 member organisations. The purpose of the survey was to get feedback on our current work programme, as well as to guide our future work. The survey gathered information regarding: VHS’s new draft Vision and Mission statements VHS’s key … [Read more...] about Membership Survey 2017 Results