Global Citizenship

in the

Scottish Health Service:The value of

international volunteering

20/02/2017

Stuart FergussonMike McKirdy

Our task

International volunteering…

1. Definition

2. Current activity in Scotland

3. Benefits and challenges

4. How to improve Scotland’s current approach

Methodology – (i)

• Published academic literature

• Review of key policy and reports

Methodology – (ii)

• THET mapping survey

• Personal testimonies

• Stakeholder engagement

–All territorial and special Health Boards

– SG policy teams

–Royal Colleges, professional organisations & trade unions

– Larger charities with known medical work

–Request for opinions via SMP, NIDOS, social media

– Subject experts

Individual benefits from

international volunteering

• Leadership and Management skills

• Communication and teamwork

• Clinical skills

• Policy awareness and experience

• Academic skills

• Patient experience and dignity

• Personal satisfaction and interest

NHS benefits from

international volunteering

• Recruitment and retention

• System learning and capacity building

• Professional development of the workforce

• Improved Scottish patient experience

• Reputational development

Challenges to individuals

& organisations

• Service delivery

• Financial costs

• Personal health and security

• Opportunity costs

• Reputational risk

Potential areas for action

1. Thinking strategically

2. Professionalising coordination and support

3. Maximising benefit

4. Maintaining standards

5. Valuing collaboration

6. Expressing local commitment

7. Defining support mechanisms

8. Setting expectations

Report launch:• Wednesday 17th May

“Towards Global Citizenship”Friday 15th September 2017RCPSG

COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS?

Volunteering -

approaches

• coordinated – uncoordinated

• short-term – long-term

• grant funded – self funded

• capacity-building – gap filling

• ‘lunch-break’ volunteering – in-country volunteering

All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global Health. Improving Health at Home and Abroad: how overseas volunteering from the NHS benefits the UK and the world. 2013.

Volunteering - definition

“The giving of time and energy through a third party, which can bring measurable benefits to the volunteer, individual beneficiaries, groups and organisations, communities, the environment and society at large. It is a choice undertaken of one’s own free will, and is not motivated primarily for financial gain or for a wage or salary.”

Scottish Executive. Volunteering Strategy. 2004.

Volunteering –

extent in the NHS?

• Cross-sectional survey: 911 NHS staff in NW England

“Have you had any periods in another country, either as an employee or volunteer?”

Chatwin J, Ackers L. Volunteering and overseas placements in the NHS: a survey of current activity. BMJ Open. 2016 Jan 10;6(10):e012160.

42%58%

International experience?

YesNo 58%22%

20%

Location of experience?

LICMICHIC