New Global Health Volunteering Report Launched

19 May 2017

The SMP was delighted to help launch the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow's report Global Citizenship in the Scottish Health Service: the value of international volunteering.

The SMP was delighted to help launch the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow’s report Global Citizenship in the Scottish Health Service: the value of international volunteering.

The SMP has been active in supporting the development of the Scottish Global Health Collaborative. Through the Collaborative, the RCPSG , a member of the SMP, undertook a significant research project looking at the benefits and challenges of international volunteering.

This final report makes eight recommendations which are now being actively considered by the Scottish Government and Scotland’s NHS Trusts.

The SMP strongly supports the report and commends its co-authors Stuart Fergusson and Mike McKirdy. We recommend the report to members engaged in health projects.

CLICK HERE to read the report in full.

CLICK HERE for summary points, testimonial videos by SMP members and others talking about the value of their volunteering, infographics, a video message of support from Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, and an interview with the co-authors.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Scottish Global Health Collaborative

Representing strong cross-government commitment, the launch was attended by Dr Alasdair Allan MSP (Minister for International Development and Europe), Maureen Watt MSP (Minister for Mental Health) and Catherine Calderwood (Chief Medical Officer).

Speaking at the launch, Dr Allan MSP said:

“The report is well written and provides much food for thought for the Scottish Government, NHS Scotland and potential volunteers.”

“The Scottish Government welcomes this report and will work closely with partners across NHS Scotland to carefully consider its recommendations.”

“The Scottish Governments’ Health and Social Care Directorate and International development team will also work with the College, and the Scottish Global Health Committee towards the development for a proposal on the pilot of a Scottish Centre for Global Health as recommended in the report.”

“We welcome the report’s focus on health volunteering and also the recognition of the importance of retaining appropriate services and staffing levels in NHS Scotland.”

“The Scottish Government recognises the benefits that Global Citizenship and international volunteering brings to the Health Service and communities throughout Scotland.”

“International development is a key part of Scotland’s global contribution within the international community. It encompasses our core values, historical and contemporary, of fairness and equality. It is about Scotland acting as a good global citizen.”

RCPSG report cover