Refreshed Strategy for Volunteering in the NHS was published in February 2008.
Refreshed Strategy for the NHS CEL
In summary the Refreshed Strategy requires Boards to:
- provide VDS with details of a designated person within their Board area (possibly PFPI Designated Directors) who will lead on volunteering
- equality impact assess their volunteering policy
- develop a local strategic action plan for volunteering in partnership with key local stakeholders during 2008/09
- ensure that their Units and Divisions maximise the opportunity volunteers offer for complementing the skills of their clinical staff
- ensure co-operation and support is given internally to staff involved in volunteering and to VDS to ensure that the strategy and action plan outlined in this document are progressed in accordance with the targets set
- work in partnership with VDS to achieve the Investing in Volunteers Standard by 31 March 2011
- review and report progress on volunteering within their Annual Review self-assessment reporting process as part of their performance in relation to their PFPI responsibilities beginning in 2008/09
- consider with Community Planning Partners whether a generic strategy for volunteering in the area is appropriate
The Chief Executive's Letter contains an Action Plan, which has recently been updated. The main changes are highlighted in the document below.
Action Plan (Refreshed Strategy for Volunteering in the NHS in Scotland) l
Main Changes to the Action Plan
Scottish Government Better Health Better Care Action Plan
The key policy driver for the Refreshed Strategy is the Scottish Government Better Health, Better Care Action Plan, published in December 2007. The Action Plan states
" Working together with Volunteer Development Scotland, we will refresh the strategy on NHS volunteering, recognising the various roles played by the third sector and considering how best to recognise the role played by volunteers."
Better Health Better Care Action Plan