What We Do - Strategic Aim 1

To promote strategic partnerships between the voluntary and statutory sectors at all levels for health improvement and health care in Scotland.

• We continue to work in partnership with the Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) and with NHS Health Scotland to take forward the actions listed in Partnerships for Care (2003) and Improving Health in Scotland: the Challenge (2003)

• As a key member of the multi-agency task group, VHS has contributed to the building of the Community-Led Supporting and Developing Healthy Communities framework (2006), which takes forward the community-led approach to health improvement in Scotland.

• VHS has been an active member of the Scottish Executive Health Department's Community Health Partnerships Development Group,securing a role for the voluntary and community sector in the provision for CHPs - as contained in the NHS Reform (Scotland) Act (2004)

• VHS has produced the Advice Note Community Health Partnerships: involving the voluntary sector (2005) - currently being updated

• VHS hosts an interactive forum for voluntary and community sector members of CHPs, promoting their role in health improvement and public involvement

• VHS supports Councils of Voluntary Service and CVS members to take on a greater role in CHPs

• VHS has produced a guide to Building local compacts for health, following consultation with the voluntary and community sector and NHS Boards. The guide supports the principles of partnership working with the voluntary sector for health improvement and health care in Scotland, reflecting the principles contained in The Scottish Compact (revised 2004)

For further information on national and local partnership work, contact:
Helen Tyrrell, Director, on 0131 220 9943
(helen.tyrrell@vhscotland.org.uk)

For further information on Community Health Partnerships, contact:
Bill Weir, Partnership Development Officer, on 0131 220 9942
(bill.weir@vhscotland.org.uk)