Today Voluntary Health Scotland (VHS) sent an open letter, signed by 79 VHS members, to all new and returning MSPs elected last week. The letter calls on MSPs to prioritise health creation and take action to address health inequalities.
The letter details some of the key health challenges facing Scotland today, including the fact that people in Scotland will, on average, be in ill health before their 60th birthday. It also details the challenges faced by many third sector organisations, particularly in accessing sustainable funding.
The letter further shares the actions detailed in the VHS Manifesto for Health Creation:
- Create a Prevention-Centred Health System – Committing to a prevention-first approach, and building the system to successfully implement this, will support interventions that create health and relieve pressure on acute services.
- Prioritise Health Equity and the Right to Health – A rights-based approach would support prioritisation of the root causes of health inequality, specifically poverty, and person-centred approaches to health.
- Establish Third Sector Parity – Policy solutions which protect the third sector and its workforce, including volunteers, as vital and equal contributors in the delivery of public services will help to safeguard the future of the sector.
- Improve Health Measures and Datasets – A meaningful shift to prevention and health equity can only be achieved if national outcomes and indicators for health reflect this. It is therefore essential to ensure that health data is robust, accessible and focused on enabling health creation.
Finally, the letter stresses the importance of cross-party commitment to create health in Scotland, and states that ‘the future health of Scotland’s people is in our hands’. It asks MSPs to read the Manifesto for Health Creation, contact VHS, and to consider joining the Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities.
