Health minister reveals how the ‘Power of Partnership’ brings real benefits for patients and public
Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health Jenni Minto spoke about the importance of research and innovation in tackling Scotland’s biggest health challenges, at Glasgow Caledonian University’s Research Centre for Health (ReaCH) ‘Power of Partnership’ event today (April 23).
Ms Minto told the audience in a powerful recorded message: “I want to see people in Scotland live longer and healthier lives. However, as we all know, we face significant challenges to these aims and it is unwelcoming that health inequalities persist across the Scottish population.
“This is where research and innovation can play crucial roles - to better understand what drives poor health and inequalities in health, and by using this knowledge to develop, test and implement innovative solutions that can help address these challenges. This in turn improves population health and helps to narrow health inequalities.
“I know this research isn’t easy or straightforward. But I also know that challenges can be overcome through partnership working and that public health research is often best done in collaboration through researchers in universities working closely with those in the NHS, the wider public health system and, very importantly, with patients and the public.
“Working across boundaries and in partnership can bring real benefits. It helps generate and turn great ideas into creative research that are targeted at issues that really matter.
“Partnership working also helps to ensure that the research findings and the solutions developed can be applied and implemented in practice to make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of people and the population at large.
“That is why the theme of your day – the importance of partnership working to turn research evidence into action – is one I am very encouraged by and wholeheartedly support.”
Ms Minto cited many examples of impactful collaborative work on life-changing research which has received funding support from the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office (CSO).
Ms Minto added: “To note just a few examples of the excellent research work that you do. Your award-winning work with Public Health Scotland and others around preventing HIV transmission in Scotland and your collaborations with other Scottish universities on the impacts of Minimum Unit Pricing of Alcohol on homeless and street drinkers which fed evidence into the evaluation of this important policy.
“There was also your work with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and others to evaluate the implementation of Scotland’s first heroin-assisted treatment facility to better manage drug use and avoid some of the negative consequences; your long-standing programme of research together with the CSO Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit and others on stroke rehabilitation and longer-term management of related conditions. And more recently, the work you are planning along with a number of Health Boards on a new way to prevent diabetes-related foot ulceration in areas of multiple deprivation.
“I’d like to use this opportunity to commend you for the research you’re doing to address some of our health challenges and to improve health in the Scottish population. Thank you again for inviting me to speak. I hope you all have a very productive and enjoyable day and I wish you well for your future research endeavours.”
Ms Minto was one of the key speakers at the 'Power of Partnership' event, along with Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) Director Elinor Jayne, and Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) representative Caroline Sincock, who lives with multiple sclerosis (MS).
The event showcased the importance of partnership working in turning research into action and was opened by Professor Steve Decent, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at Glasgow Caledonian University.
Professor Decent said: "I have been impressed by the world leading health research within the School of Health and Life Sciences which results in tangible improvements to people’s lives. What is clear to me is that we could not achieve this without the valuable contribution and support of our many partners.
"Our researchers work closely with the public, people with lived experience of health conditions, the Scottish Government, Public Health Scotland, NHS Scotland and many charities.
"The most important research questions are co-created with our partners, as they know best what matters most to the members of the communities they serve. What makes GCU different from many other universities is that we bake impact into our research projects right from the start."
ReaCH Co-Directors Professors Frederike van Wijck and Carol Emslie were delighted at the turnout and thanked all their partners, colleagues and students for their continued support.
