Scottish Government Health Directorate engagement with proposed 'Modernising Science Careers' (MSC). 4 Nation policy group.
Outline position in Scotland as at September 25th 2008.
- The Scottish Government fully supports the desire to improve the visibility, recognition and identity of healthcare scientists in delivering key objectives for the NHS. For that reason it developed an action plan, Safe Accurate and Effective (2007).
- In the light of Safe Accurate and Effective, the Scottish Government's education priorities for healthcare science (HCS) are: the establishment of a NHS Education for Scotland healthcare science work stream; the provision for education and training of clinical physiology and clinical technology staff; higher specialist training, initially for clinical scientists but probably wider; and improvements to HCS leadership skills.
- The proposals 'modernising healthcare science careers' present interesting mutual opportunities for the development of healthcare science staff across the UK. The Scottish Government is therefore engaging with UK policy partners in exploring the merits of this proposal by participation in the strategic board arrangements (the MSC Oversight Board) discussed by 4-nations partners.
- The Scottish Government intends consulting with healthcare scientists, providers of HCS education and training, and other stakeholders in Scotland on the merits and risks of the MSC proposal for NHS Scotland. The Scottish Government's intention is to shape those proposals, preserve and develop current best and effective practice, and to agree broad principles that have UK-wide application.
- The Chief Health Professions Officer and team will work in partnership with the other UK health departments, the Scottish Forum for Healthcare Science and other key stakeholders to explore and contribute to the MSC proposals in the Scottish context.