Voluntary Health Scotland is an increasingly active member of this important Cross Party Group. It aims to raise awareness of the causes of health inequalities amongst parliamentarians, promote evidence based legislation, policy and actions that reduce health inequalities – and avoid legislation/policies that would exacerbate health inequalities.

In June 2014, VHS Chief Officer Claire Stevens gave the group a presentation on how voluntary health organisations are tackling health inequalities. She drew on findings gathered through VHS events on health inequalities and included exemplars from Scottish Families Affected by Drugs, Fast Forward, Rowan Alba, and Neighbourhood Networks.

Malcolm Chisholm MSP was keen to hear about the barriers to services that exist for some people facing health inequalities and there was lively discussion on this subject. Murdo Fraser MSP, chairing the meeting, asked to be kept abreast of VHS’s current research project on the role of the third sector in tackling health inequalities.

Download the  presentation: HOW SCOTLAND’S THIRD SECTOR IS TACKLING HEALTH INEQUALITIES

Find out more about the work of the group and read the minute of the meeting held on 5th June 2014: Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities