Latest news with #PopulationHealthFramework
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Welcome end in sight to two-child cap that's affected almost a thousand West Lothian families
It was announced that it will be removed from March 2 next year Close to 1000 families in West Lothian are set to benefit from the scrapping of the two-child cap. Linlithgow MSP Fiona Hyslop welcomed the Scottish Government's announcement that the cap will be removed from March 2 next year. The two-child cap was introduced by the Tories as part of their programme of austerity and has subsequently become Labour policy, despite Keir Starmer's previous promises to scrap it. Around 950 families in West Lothian have been affected by the two-cap policy. By ending it the Scottish Government is ensuring 20,000 fewer children in Scotland will live in relative poverty next year. Fiona Hyslop said: 'I welcome the news that the Scottish Government is ending the two-child cap in Scotland. 'The UK Government's decision to continue the two-child cap has harmed 950 households in West Lothian but from next year this will end due to action taken by the Scottish Government. 'The Scottish Government has stepped in to mitigate the harm caused by the UK Government and this makes clear John Swinney's commitment to tackling child poverty in Scotland. 'This policy will provide much-needed support to families across West Lothian when the two-child cap ends next March.' The MSP also welcomed a visit by Scotland's Health Secretary to West Lothian on Tuesday on Tuesday, June 17 during the launch of two health related framewoks. She said: 'It was great to see Neil Gray MSP chose to visit Blackburn Partnership Centre to launch Scotland's Population Health Framework and the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework. 'These are major national policy frameworks are focused on prevention and joined-up community care to help people lead healthier lives and there is so much happening in Blackburn which already is delivering on this. 'The launch of both of these frameworks shows clear progress towards delivering the Scottish Government's vision for a healthier, fairer and more resilient Scotland. 'I was pleased to see the Cabinet Secretary visit Blackburn Partnership Centre, in my Constituency, as part of this launch.'
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Stark new statistics on Scotland's deepening alcohol problem
This is more than 50% above the Chief Medical Officers' safe drinking guidelines of 14 for both men and women. This latest figures shows that while the volume of alcohol sold is decreasing, it remains higher than the amount sold per adult in England and Wales. The data also reveals stark inequalities between those from the most and least deprived areas in Scotland. People living in Scotland's most deprived areas are six times more likely to be hospitalised or die from causes wholly related to alcohol compared to those in the least deprived communities. READ MORE: Swinney urged to act in bid to reverse near-record alcohol deaths Programme for Government: Alcohol ban on trains to end Scotland's drug and alcohol deaths remain among worst in Europe Dr Tara Shivaji, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at PHS, said: "Today's updates add to the evidence base that as a population, Scotland is consuming too much alcohol. 'If current drinking patterns continue, we project a 21% increase in alcohol-related disease burden by 2043 compared to 2019 levels. This means thousands more individuals and families facing the devastating impacts of alcohol related ill-health such as liver disease, heart disease, stroke and cancer. 'Every week, people across Scotland are drinking well above the recommended 14-unit limit, significantly increasing their risk of these serious health conditions. 'The newly released data provides compelling evidence that despite progress, Scotland's relationship with alcohol remains deeply problematic and requires immediate attention. 'This isn't inevitable," Dr Shivaji added, "With urgent, collective and evidence-based action to tackle harmful alcohol use, we can change Scotland's path. We need to take steps to implement the preventative measures outlined in the Population Health Framework. This means addressing the availability, affordability, and attractiveness of alcohol, as well as providing early intervention and support for people experiencing problems. But that work must start now.' Since Scotland introduced Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) in 2018, alcohol deaths have dropped by 13.4%, and overall drinking fell by 3%. However, the number of people in Scotland whose death was caused by alcohol remains high, with the figures for 2023 showing the largest number of deaths in 15 years. Alcohol Policy Minister Maree Todd said: 'The Scottish Government is working to reduce alcohol-related harm and deaths. Our world-leading Minimum Unit Pricing policy and the decision to uprate the unit price to 65 pence per unit is a key part of our approach to tackling alcohol harm. 'We want every person experiencing harm from alcohol use to be able access the support they need. That is why we have allocated £112 million to local Alcohol and Drug Partnerships for treatment and support services. 'The forthcoming UK Clinical Guidelines for Alcohol Treatment are anticipated to further support the improvement of alcohol treatment in Scotland. In addition, the recently published Population Health Framework sets out a 10-year plan for population health, including addressing the harms caused by alcohol.'
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
NHS Forth Valley will work closely with other boards across the country
Forth Valley health chiefs joining forces with other boards in progressive venture Radical new wide-ranging plans which will mean NHS Forth Valley teaming up with other health authorities across the country to help improve care and reduce waiting times have been given support at a local level. In January, First Minister John Swinney provided an update on the NHS Renewal Plan, which would be underpinned by an Operational Improvement Plan, a 10 year Population Health Framework; and a Service Reform Framework. Within this context, all health boards have been asked to take update papers on the emergent governance arrangements including the establishment of the NHS Scotland Executive Group. This initiative aims to foster a more collaborative philosophy within NHS Scotland, with Boards urged to adopt a systematic approach to balancing local delivery with the broader responsibility of meeting the needs of larger populations beyond their geographical boundaries in the delivery of planned care. Chief Executive Ross McGuffie said at a special meeting of NHS Forth Valley on Tuesday: ''The initiative aims to shift more care into communities and homes, reduce hospital admissions, and improve access to treatment. 'This comprehensive approach seeks to address immediate pressures, promote preventive care, and leverage technological advancements to ensure a more efficient and patient-centred healthcare system.' The Chief Executive said the board already worked with Greater Glasgow and Clyde for tertiary care, which ranges from cancer treatment to organ transplantation. The Scottish Government have committed to publishing three key plans to support the reform agenda: Health and Social Care Operational Improvement Plan. 10-year Population Health Framework Service Reform Framework. Given the anticipated magnitude of change associated with the NHS Renewal agenda, the likely level of scrutiny and reporting of progress and impact, it will be necessary to ensure this is fully reflected in local performance management arrangements. The first element of the NHS Renewal Plan, the Operational Improvement Plan, was published on March 31 and set out a focus on the immediate actions required over the next 12 to 18 months, with the aim of: Reducing waiting times by maximising local, regional and national capacity, including the expansion of diagnostic services. Offering more care and support in communities and at home. Improving access through digital and technological solutions. Preventing illness and pro-actively meeting people's needs. The latest advice from Scottish Government is that the second element of the NHS Renewal Plan, the Population Health Framework, is due to be published in June and will be underpinned by four guiding principles: Prioritise creating and maintaining good health and preventing ill health. Focus support on the people and communities who need it most. Change systems and environments to support individuals to stay healthy. Deliver through a whole system approach. The final Annual Delivery Plan 2025-26 that will come to the NHS Board for final approval will include all aspects necessitated within the Operational Improvement Plan. The latest advice from Scottish Government is that the second element of the NHS Renewal Plan, the Population Health Framework, is due to be published in June and will be underpinned by four guiding principles: Prioritise creating and maintaining good health and preventing ill health Focus support on the people and communities who need it most Change systems and environments to support individuals to stay healthy; and Deliver through a whole system approach. The draft of the NHS Forth Valley Population Health Strategy will go out for a final round of engagement, with an expected completion date of late summer/early autumn. This will allow time to ensure all key aspects of the national strategy are able to be referenced within the local strategy, though the Interim Director of Public Health has been involved in both processes from the outset supporting alignment. The third element of the NHS Renewal Plan, the Service Reform Framework, is also due to be published in June and is expected to offer guidance and direction on how services should be planned and delivered to enhance sustainability and value for money, whilst maximising population health. NHS Forth Valley Board noted the commitment set out by the First Minister to progress the renewal and reform of the NHS in Scotland, and associated requirement for the Board to seek assurance on delivery of these commitments and the evolution of the new governance arrangements intended to enable and foster stronger collective accountability, whilst underpinning the strength of local accountability mechanisms. The local board acknowledged and endorsed the duality of their role for the population or board they serve as well as their contribution to population planning that will cross traditional board boundaries.
