Volunteering abroad 'can help sharpen Scottish health staff'

Volunteering abroad can sharpen and motivate'' the Scottish health workforce in delivering healthcare to the people of Scotland, a new report has found.

It can also be a powerful international statement of Scottish character and values'' when undertaken thoughtfully and respectfully, according to The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow study.

The Royal College is now calling on the Scottish Government to recognise the benefits of international volunteering opportunities for all health service workers in Scotland.

It calls for a strategic approach to international volunteering by Scottish health service staff and the creation of a Scottish Centre for Global Health.

The centre would be responsible for the coordination, organisation and enhancement of existing international health volunteering currently undertaken by NHS staff at individual health board level in Scotland.

The Scottish Government said it would work closely with the Royal College towards a possible pilot of such a centre.

The Royal College said that as well as a moral commitment to global citizenship'' are two furthercompelling reasons'' for Scotland's health service to engage in global health work.

It said that disease epidemics, drug-resistant infections, and non-communicable disease burdens do not respect national boundaries and need to be tackled with international cooperation, while global health work also offers mutual learning opportunities as it brings proven benefits to our health workers and our healthcare system''.

International Development Minister, Alasdair Allan, said: International development is a key part of Scotland's global contribution within the international community. The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland welcomes this report and will work closely to carefully consider and respond to its recommendations.

We recognise the benefits of global citizenship and international volunteering for the NHS. That is why we will work closely with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow towards a possible pilot of a Scottish Centre for Global Health.''

The report was delivered through extensive consultation with all 22 NHS health boards in Scotland and involved the input of more than 400 health service workers.

Mike McKirdy, Director of Global Health at the Royal College, said: We welcome the minister's announcement today and look forward to working with the Scottish Government on making this international volunteering strategy and Scottish Centre for Global Health a reality.

Many health service workers in Scotland already take part in international volunteering, but NHS support for this activity is variable. It is only right that Scotland has its own international volunteering strategy and the Global Health Centre to pull all of this activity together.

Scotland's culture of global citizenship reflects the heritage and values of our country. We are delighted that the Scottish Government will work with the Royal College to grasp this opportunity to initiate and support international health partnerships with less developed economies, which will offer substantial benefits to our health service workers, services and our nation.

We recognise that NHS service commitments are the main priority, but international volunteering can result in many benefits to patients in Scotland. Staff who have volunteered overseas will have knowledge and skills that are of great importance to Scottish patients. Disease does not recognise borders.''

He added: The establishment of a Scottish Centre for Global Health would enable NHS Scotland to support global health at a national level and free up work already done at a local level by many health boards.''