Public Health Scotland and Police Scotland launch collaboration to drive national improvements in health and wellbeing

Public Health Scotland (PHS) and Police Scotland have formalised a new collaboration to address public health and wellbeing in communities across the country.

This first joint approach of its kind in Scotland, is founded on the basis of the organisations’ shared visions to improving the safety and wellbeing of people, places and communities in our country, and creating a Scotland where everybody thrives.

Senior leaders agreed to implement a Collaboration Framework and the first meeting of the joint Executives took place today.

Led by PHS’s Chief Executive, Angela Leitch, and Police Scotland’s Deputy Chief, Will Kerr, the meeting set out the key priorities for the collaboration, with a specific focus on mental health and wellbeing, supporting local systems, data and analysis.

Angela Leitch, said:

“Together with Police Scotland we are working to address the significant health challenges that Scotland faces. Our partnership framework has therefore been developed to turn our shared vision and purpose into tangible actions – actions that will make a real difference to people’s lives.

“Our existing partnership work already demonstrates the power and potential of this joint public health approach. The ongoing pilot of police officers carrying Naloxone nasal sprays to help people experiencing a suspected overdose, and our work to provide agencies in local communities with real time data on suspected drug-related deaths and suspected suicides, are examples of how we are having a greater impact on population health and wellbeing”.

A Delivery Group for the Collaboration Framework will meet regularly to progress the shared aims and outcomes for the project, while seeking to maximise its impact for both organisations.