NHS Scotland Global Citizenship Framework: setting the direction for global citizenship in NHS Scotland

Foreword by Chief Medical Officer for Scotland

It gives me great pleasure to present this Framework, which sets the direction for the NHS Scotland Global Citizenship Programme and outlines the principles which underpin it.

Since its inception in 2018, the NHS Scotland Global Citizenship Programme has established and supported the growth of a vibrant community of NHS Scotland staff who take part in, or are interested in taking part in, global health work and international volunteering. As well as providing the environment for networking and sharing of experience and expertise, an important part of the Programme’s work has been to develop and signpost to good practice guidance, to ensure that the work we and our Community take part in is ethical, sustainable and effective.

Despite a very challenging few years due to the pandemic and other local and global events, NHS staff in Scotland have continued to support and to learn from partners in countries all over the world. This global outlook ensures not only that Scotland’s NHS staff are able to share skills and expertise with other health systems, but also that they are in a position to learn from those same health systems and to bring home new ideas and approaches; a mindset that is essential in these challenging and ever-changing times.

There has been an extensive engagement period in the development of this work, and I am grateful to all those who have contributed to the development of the Framework and its principles. The ten principles in this Framework set out how the NHS Scotland Global Citizenship Programme contributes to the wider global citizenship landscape in NHS Scotland and clarifies the important role that global health work and international volunteering plays. These principles clarify the scope of the Programme and how it contributes to the Scottish Government’s International Development Strategy and commitment to good global citizenship, including through our contribution to overseas development and humanitarian activities in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The new Health Partnership Programme will be a testament to the dedication and commitment of the NHS Scotland Global Citizenship Community. This new initiative, funded by the Scottish Government’s International Development Fund in line with its commitment to good global citizenship, will provide strategic and financial support for health partnerships, in line with our partner country priorities.

I look forward to this next chapter for the Programme and the new opportunities for bi-directional learning, collaboration and partnership working that it presents.