Event to inform inquiry into health inequalities

15.02.2013

The views of charities, individuals, the NHS and the third sector are among those that will help to shape an inquiry into health inequalities that the Health and Sport Committee plan to launch later on this year.

The Committee plans to hear their views at a stakeholder conference event to be held in the Scottish Parliament on Monday (18 February). The event, entitled ‘Mind the 28 year Gap’ will hear the perspective from academics that have carried out research in this area. But most importantly, the views of those that attend will be captured during breakout sessions, in order for the Committee to consider them when they come to determining the remit for the inquiry.

Convener of the Committee Duncan McNeil MSP said:

“There is no easy answer to tackling health inequalities in Scotland. This is why before launching an inquiry into health inequalities we want to hear the views of those that deal with the impact of health inequalities day in, day out.

“Those with expertise in this area will be invaluable to the Committee and will help to direct the remit of our inquiry to those areas where we can potentially make the biggest difference.”

Deputy Convener of the Committee Bob Doris MSP said:

“Our Committee is delighted to be able to welcome a broad range of organisations into the Scottish Parliament to help give us their views, experiences and opinions on health inequalities.”

“The perspectives offered by the invited stakeholders will be invaluable in assisting the committee better shape its forthcoming inquiry into health inequalities.”

Keynote speakers include:

• Professor Clare Bambra, Acting Director of the Wolfson Research Institute;
• Professor Kate Pickett, Professor of Epidemiological Sciences in the Department of Health Sciences, University of York.

Background

Breakout sessions will be based around the following themes:

• Are we getting our money’s worth?
• Whatever happened to Single Outcome Agreement’s and the National Performance Framework?
• New ways of thinking about community and health
• Where should research, policy and evaluation meet?

A copy of the full programme is available at www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/58660.aspx