Background to the Programme
Improving Scotland's Health: The Challenge
The term 'community-led health' was first used in the 'Improving Scotland's Health: The Challenge' (2003) document produced by the (then) Scottish Executive. This paper refers to the importance of investing in community-led health if we are to successfully tackle the issue of the growing health inequalities in Scotland.
The Community-Led Supporting and Developing Communities Task Group
In 2004 an executive task group was established to develop a strategy and action plan for implementing and supporting a 'community-led' approach to health improvement and addressing health inequalities.
Task Group Recommendations
The task group reported in 2007 making 12 recommendations that provide a framework to take forward the government's commitment to involving communities actively in health improvement. The recommendations propose the development of more robust and community-led health evidence to show what actions are most effective and the outcomes that can be achieved as a result of sustained investment in community-led health. They also recognise the need to strengthen the capacity and capability of communities to shape the agenda of local planning partnerships, and the capacity of local partnership and agencies to support this.
The fult task group report and related materials are available on the NHS Health Scotland Website.
The Support Programme
In response to the task group recommendations the Scottish Government have commissioned SCDC to deliver a national capacity building programme. With the aim of helping CHPs and other bodies to develop effective partnerships with communities, and support community-led health initiatives. The programme will encourage the implementation of the task group recommendations at local level. The key aims of the programme are:
- To develop clarity and understanding between all partners on the broad purpose of community-led health improvement, and its implications at local level
- To encourage and support communities to investigate and report on local needs and issues, thus helping shape the health improvement agenda and its priorities
- To improve partnership working between the NHS, local authorities and the community and voluntary sector
- To enhance community capacity to participate in decision-making processes
