Volunteering in NHS Scotland Update

1. Volunteering in NHS ScotlandUpdate Alan Bigham Programme Manager (Volunteering) alan.bigham@nhs.net

2. Background and context Role: To provide support and guidance to NHS boards as they continue to progress and develop the volunteering agenda within health and community care settings

3. Background and context • New programme of support to NHS boards focussing on sustainability • November 2011 – October 2013 • Carries on from Refreshed Strategy for Volunteering delivered by Volunteer Development Scotland • Gap in service provision from April 2011 – October 2011 • Fractured network of Volunteer Service Managers relying heavily on a centralised model

4. Progress to date • Engagement with stakeholders • Formation of National Group for Volunteering • Redefined aim and objectives • Outcome-focussed workplan • Communications Framework • Local development toolkit (for establishing volunteering in ward settings) • Re-establishment of the Voluntary Services Managers Network • Needs analysis survey • Young Person’s Framework (in progress)

5. National Group membership • Chairman - Sandy Watson • 3 Volunteer Services Managers (2 Urban, 1 Rural) • 2 Volunteer Centre Managers (1 Urban, 1 Rural) • Clinical Manager • Social Work representative (Dundee City Council) • NHS Health Scotland • NHS Education Scotland • Scottish Ambulance Service • Scottish Health Council • Young Scot • HR representative (NHS Tayside) • Trade Union representative (Partnership Forum) • Communications representative  (NHS National Services) • Scottish Government (observer)

6. Where do TSIs contribute? How do Third Sector Interfaces contribute to the delivery of safe and effective patient-centred care? • Local or national examples? • What is the balance between and acute and preventative service provision?

7. Challenges • Volume of volunteer enquiries • Capacity of Voluntary Services Managers • Commitment and length of stay for some volunteers • Cost of PVG • Fear of job substitution from NHS staff • Lack of capacity to support for volunteers

8. Impact • Takes too long to place volunteers – they leave • Voluntary Services Managers limited by no of hours in a week • Volunteers leaving “early” results in poor patient experience, increased resources to replace them • Volunteers have their PVG membership paid for a 6-week (or less) “return” • Staff reluctant to engage with volunteers – the above reinforces and creates new stereotypes • Volunteers not being supported – the ones who stay leave or develop thick skin

9. Opportunities • Explore communications between Voluntary Services Managers and Volunteer Centres • Review primary points of contact for prospective volunteers • Review volunteer journeys – identify duplication • Co-facilitation/training to ward and community staff to support the creation of new opportunities • Voluntary Services Managers to review the focus of their roles

10. Challenges for TSIs • What challenges do Third Sector Interfaces experience in relation to volunteering in health? Are they similar? • Are there opportunities for joint working? • How can volunteering in the NHS change to support improved pathways for volunteers?

11. Any questions?

12. Volunteering in NHS ScotlandUpdate Alan Bigham Programme Manager (Volunteering) alan.bigham@nhs.net