Dear Colleagues
The first annual report of the Scottish National Health Demonstration Project Programme, Learning to Make a Difference has now been published. I have attached for information the text of the introduction. The full report can be accessed on-line at
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/health/ltmd-00.asp
Best wishes
David McDaid
LSE Health and Social Care
LEARNING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
INTRODUCTION
The White Paper Towards a Healthier Scotland pledged £15 million over 3 years to support four National Health Demonstration Projects in priority areas of child health, sexual health of young people, coronary heart disease and cancer:
* Starting Well Demonstrating that child health in Glasgow can be improved by a programme of activities that both supports families and provides them with access to enhanced community-based resources. Aiming to give every child the best possible start in life.
* Healthy Respect Helping young people in Lothian develop a positive attitude to their sexuality and that of others, and a healthy respect for their partners, with the aim of reducing unplanned teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
* Have a Heart Paisley Providing a uniting focus for action across a broad front to prevent coronary heart disease, promote good health and reduce health inequalities in Paisley, Scotland's largest town.
* Cancer Challenge Piloting a screening programme in the North East of Scotland for the detection of colorectal cancer which will study the public's willingness to become involved, will determine how best to screen the general population and, if feasible, will be developed into a national screening programme.
Although each Demonstration Project has specific aims and objectives, appropriate to its own topic, all share certain key principles including:
* an emphasis on reducing inequalities in health and tackling adverse life circumstances
* getting health high on political, organisational, professional and public agendas
* communication and partnership working, within and across sectors and between levels
* community participation
* blending evidence-based practice with steps that break new ground.
The purpose of the locally-based Demonstration Projects is to act as a testing ground for national action and a learning resource for the rest of Scotland. Each project is being independently evaluated to identify lessons for policy and practice. Scotland-wide Learning Networks are being established to help share lessons learned locally about what works - or does not work - and why.
The Demonstration Projects were awarded following a two-stage selection process, overseen by a National Steering Group. Priority was given to bids that stimulated collaborative, multi-agency, multi-disciplinary working and added value to existing activity.
The Starting Well, Healthy Respect and Have a Heart Paisley projects were launched during October and November 2000. Cancer Challenge got underway in March 2000, as part of a UK-wide pilot.
This report provides an overview of Starting Well, Healthy Respect and Have a Heart Paisley's progress in their first year. It highlights Projects' key achievements as well as obstacles and challenges that they have faced and overcome. It provides a brief flavour of what Projects might demonstrate to inform health policy and practice and highlights some of the early lessons that have emerged. The report also provides a brief update on Cancer Challenge's progress since its launch in March 2000.
For more information on the National Health Demonstration Project Programme and individual Projects, log onto www.show.scot.nhs.uk/demonstrationprojects. <http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/demonstrationprojects> Contact us with your questions or comments at [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> .
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