Many Charities Struggling To Work With The NHS, Report Finds

Charities trying to tackle some of Scotland’s worst health problems say they are struggling to work productively with the NHS.

A survey published today reveals almost 40% find it difficult to assist the Scottish health service, even though services are stretched and partnership working is required by law.

One organisation spoke of the NHS paying “lip service” to the voluntary sector.

Another said they were locked in a power battle with public bodies because of shortages of funding.

Voluntary Health Scotland, which represents more than 300 voluntary and community groups, commissioned the research. Well-known bodies including the British Red Cross, Barnardo’s and Age Concern Scotland took part.

The study focused on the drive to improve the health of the population and keep people out of hospital. This is the principal aim of Community Health Partnerships (CHPs), which bring together NHS, council and other workers in an area to manage community health care.

Asked to rate how well they worked in partnership with CHPs, 37% said it was poor, 18% satisfactory and 18% did not comment.

Only half said their CHP had conveyed a vision to them of how it planned to improve public health and 42% said their ability as a charity to help people look after themselves and avoid more hospital trips was not recognised.

Helen Tyrrell, director of Voluntary Health Scotland, said: “What patients and the public are missing out on is all the support and advice and information that is a necessary back-up to clinical services and which generally cannot be provided by the NHS.

“But they also need somewhere to go with questions and for family support. These things help people’s recovery and help them keep well. The NHS does not have the resources for that.”

But some charities did say they had good links with CHPs, with 27% describing the relationship as good or very good.

Greig Sandilands, project manager of the North Glasgow Community Food Initiative, said they received CHP funding for a part-time gardening co-ordinator who helped people garden as a form of exercise.

He said: “At a senior level people may be talking good talk to each other, but it doesn’t seem to be manifesting itself on the ground.”

More than 30 senior staff from community groups took part in the Voluntary Health Scotland survey. It has been released ahead of a conference on Wednesday when some of the issues will be discussed.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “CHPs have a responsibility to work with a very wide range of partners, including the third sector, in both planning and delivering health care services.”

She said moves to support voluntary groups, CHPs and councils to work better together were being funded.