Back on 1st September 2016 I represented VHS at a discussion organised by the Glasgow Council for Voluntary Sector on what makes for a ‘good society’. The aim being to share what is being done by different sectors in terms of poverty alleviation and inequality and to focus on what more can be done. … [Read more...] about Margaret’s blog: What would a good society look like?
Norman’s blog: keeping faith in older people with dementia
Sterling efforts are being made by Faith in Older People (FIOP) to involve churches throughout Scotland in providing help to people with dementia and those supporting them. There is still much to do but many churches are embracing the challenge and finding ways to bring comfort and meaning to those … [Read more...] about Norman’s blog: keeping faith in older people with dementia
Summary Briefing of ‘Social Work in Scotland’
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’
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?
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
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…
Catherine’s blog – Realistic medicine: I thought the doctor(s) knew best too…
"Doctors generally choose less treatment for themselves than they provide for their patients" That's what Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Catherine Calderwood highlighted to delegates at the final plenary of the NHS Scotland Event 2016. Realistic medicine at its most basic, is about doctors and … [Read more...] about Catherine’s blog – Realistic medicine: I thought the doctor(s) knew best too…
Claire’s Blog – Measuring the Success of the Government’s Health Debate
Cabinet Secretary for Health Shona Robison led the Scottish Government’s Parliamentary debate on health on Tuesday 7th June. VHS went along to the public gallery to listen, mainly to hear the Cabinet Secretary but also to get the measure of our new MSPs’ interest and perspectives on health. Shona … [Read more...] about Claire’s Blog – Measuring the Success of the Government’s Health Debate
