Wilma Reid of NHS Health Scotland on how the health service and third sector can compliment each other
Making sure that all of our people and communities have a fairer share of the opportunities, resources and confidence to live longer, healthier lives is the business of us all.
Whether you work in the public or third sector and whether you are focussed on health, housing, education, poverty, community development or any other area that influences health and wellbeing, what you do has an impact on reducing health inequalities and improving health.
In my role as head of learning and improvement in NHS Health Scotland, I recognise the importance of all of us working together as a public health workforce to reduce health inequalities and promote health equity.
The public health workforce is our backbone and our collective knowledge is our strength.
It is essential that we continue to build on our strengths by creating the opportunities to learn from each other
To be the best we can be, it is essential that we continue to build on our strengths by creating the opportunities to learn from each other.
We must share knowledge and practice so that we can create the fairer and healthier Scotland we all desire.
Over the past year, NHS Health Scotland has teamed up with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations to develop a programme dedicated to doing just that.
It aims to maximise the potential of third sector organisations to be recognised, supported and developed as a key part of the public health workforce.
The programme is being developed in collaboration with the public and third sector and we invite you all to join with us in shaping and delivering the next stage.
We have a genuine commitment to co-design and co-produce a collaborative learning programme – and this means we need to work with you!
Third sector organisations will be ‘users’ and ‘deliverers’ of the learning programme.
Together we will shape the plan, deliver the learning in our respective areas of expertise and access learning based on our specific needs at a particular time.
We will create a flexible and cost effective learning plan that builds on and strengthens existing learning initiatives so that we are using our precious resources to the best effect.
We are at the stage of gathering feedback on a draft learning plan that has been developed in coproduction with the third sector and public service partners.
The closing date for this is soon – 12 October – but it is a short survey and should only take 20 minutes to complete - you can find it here.
Beyond that there are opportunities to get involved through working groups that will be set up to help shape delivery.
I am confident that this innovative and exciting work will really make a difference. Please join us!
Wilma Reid is head of learning & improvement at NHS Health Scotland.
