Members update from ALLIANCE Chief Officer
Read May's member exclusive update from ALLIANCE Chief Officer, Sara Redmond.
Dear members,
The past few weeks have been shaped by the pre election period. It has been disappointing to hear the Scottish election campaign being called ‘loveless’ by those who conduct the public polling; not because people don’t care, but because much of the conversation has been about who and what party voters don’t want, rather than what kind of future we can build.
It likely reflects the sense of frustration and marginalisation too many people are feeling and a concern too about whether change will be delivered.
I think this is a trend which should not be ignored. The cost of living came out as a top priority that mattered most for many people. We are facing another global challenge which will impact on the building blocks which contribute to good health, and therefore impact on people’s health.
Yet this is not the only story to be told. Every week we receive information from members about work you’re taking forward which you would like us to support, promote and work together on. These are sometimes calls to action but also opportunities for people to get involved in shaping research and practice. All these individual pieces of news together demonstrate that change is not something which is announced, it is built layer by layer.
I firmly believe that civil society – our community and third sector organisations play a vital role as a catalyst for change. We are a strong collective voice and will continue to be during this new parliament.
I am pleased to share a few highlights from our work.
Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework
Before the pre election period there was one final meeting of the Service Renewal Framework (SRF) programme board. This meeting focused on reviewing the draft delivery plans for the 7 major changes being proposed by the framework. These are:
- Prevention – Enhancing services that prevent disease, enable early detection and effectively manage long-term conditions.
- Person Led – Delivering health and social care that is people-led and ‘Value Based’.
- Integration – Strengthening integration across the system.
- Access – Improving access to services and treatments in the community.
- Hospital Redesign – Redesigning our hospitals as we deliver more care within communities.
- Digital – Delivering services which are accessible through digital technologies, with people and our workforce able to access and make use of the right information.
- Public Service Delivery Scotland
We expect that the new Scottish Government will continue its commitment to longer term health and social care reform as set out in the SRF. They have committed to engagement with partners on the delivery plans to ensure that they reflect the needs of all partners.
With the ALLIANCE represented on the SRF programme board, I am keen to ensure that we are actively engaging with members to keep you informed and to have clear ways for you to share your views.
I would be keen to understand the level of interest from members in joining a steering group for the SRF, and would be grateful if you could email membership@ to note your interest if you would like to be involved by Friday 29th May. This will help us to plan our approach.
Primary Care and Community Health
A part of the SRF is a commitment to publish a plan for primary care and community health. Back in March we held two members’ events on this. Thanks to those of you able to attend.
The membership team have written up the findings into a short insights report which we are sharing with those who attended and also the civil servants. They provide a helpful summary into the direction of travel for this work and share some salient points from members about what needs to be considered.
Digital learning events
I am pleased to share a new initiative from the ALLIANCE’s digital health and social care team who have launched a new online learning series on digital services and tools for members.
New Digital Learning opportunity for organisations – Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland
The first of these events is taking place tomorrow on ‘MyCare.Scot: Building Capability, Readiness and Potential’ Tuesday 12th May 10.30am-12noon.
Scotland Reducing Gambling Harms
Finally, returning to my previous point about the building blocks which can either support our health or undermine it, I want to share an upcoming event by our Reducing Gambling Harms team to look at the impact of gambling advertising on people, especially children and ways we can advocate for change. This event is taking place on Monday 18th May in Edinburgh. More details are on our website: