The Scotland political and policy environment and opportunities for speech and language therapy

1. TheScotland political and policy environment and opportunities for speech and language therapy Derek Munn, RCSLT Director of Policy and Public Affairs Kim Hartley, RCSLT Scotland Policy Officer

2. SLT and the SNP Health Manifesto Good News! Revenue budget of Scottish NHS protected No compulsory redundancies. NHS Quality Strategy. – Person Centred, Safe, Effective NationalMental Health Strategy New rights for people who need care and support. Carer Information Strategies Autism Strategy with £10 million over four years Action on early diagnosis and treatment of cancer with a £30m Detect Cancer Early fund. Support and implement stroke and heart disease action plan. Who knows? Deliver a single integrated system of health and social care across Scotland. Bad News Make £300 million in efficiency savings in the next year Reduce the number of senior managers by 25% over the next parliament

3. SLT and CYP SNP Manifesto Good News! Literacy Action Plan. Standing Commission on Literacy £57 million to support projects designed to deliver effective early intervention New legislation requiring councils and NHS to deliver early years services Curriculum for Excellence will have a new emphasis on literacy and numeracy. Guidance for children with disabilities and a national risk assessment toolkit on child protection Ruling out tuition fees or a graduate contribution for Higher Education. Setting a minimum student income which should in time equate to around £7000. Who knows? Introduce a norm for language learning based on the European Union 1+2 model. ASL Act Changes – increasing parents’ access to Tribunals for Scotland (ASNTS) if a placing request is refused.

4. Same difference? Scotland: tough times and reform deferred – and the big question England: major upheaval to system – budget protected to some extent Wales: ‘classic Labour’ – but budget not protected Northern Ireland: advantages of scale but still tough times

5. Across the border… Competition and diversity of provider Who commissions? Workforce planning

6. What we have in common Cuts Grade suppression NQPs

7. We are no longer able to offer services to people with basic needs. Limited work in medium priority, which will lead to an increase in challenging behaviour. Triaging all referrals We are often fire fighting dysphagia referrals, while those with communication issues are left waiting for long periods of time, if they are seen at all A senior therapist retired and this post was downgraded to an SLTA

8. SLT Knowledge, Skills, Experience, Evidence: Delivering for Govt. In Health NHS Quality Strategy. – Person Centred, Safe, Effective – Communication Skills on the MDT Mental Health Strategy Communication Access Rights for people who need care and support. Communication Accessible Carer Information Strategies Autism Strategy - CSN – the ASD Triad Early diagnosis and treatment of cancer – SLT led voice clinics Support and implement stroke and heart disease action plan.

9. SLT Knowledge, Skills, Experience, Evidence: Delivering for Govt. In CYP Services Literacy action plan – no literacy without SLC development Effective early intervention – SLC development - fundamental Law requiring councils and NHS to deliver early years services – more EY services – with quality standards Curriculum for Excellence emphasis on literacy and numeracy - no learning without SLC Development Risk assessment toolkit on child protection – interpreting and protecting CYP with severe SLCN

12. 30.11.10 • “The nation believes that when I speak, I speak for them, but I can’t speak”

13. The Economic Case for SLT

14. Oscar breakfast for GPs....

15. Newcastle Flash mob • Student led • Attracted media coverage • Raised public awareness • Involved SLTs, students, service users and families • Started a ‘ripple effect’ • Was fun!

18. Reader response: • “The long term social and financial costs of ignoring the se needs will greatly exceed the funding needed to train and employ speech and language therapists. We must take the long view here.”

19. GV Messages – getting through? 1. Maintain access to quality SLT services as much as possible within financial constraints TV / Petition / MSP meetings / Preventative Spend discussions / Budget holders briefings/ Labour led FOI Consensus Statement on Minimum Standards 2. Implementation of a Communication Action Plan for Scotland’s children and young people. SNP Conference Joint Fringe Event (Teachers Core Skills)/ SLCN and CYP Policy Delivery / SLCN and Literacy Action Plan 3. Establish SLT as recommended in quality standards as a minimum Listed Guidelines / Consensus Statement on Minimum Standards / Petition ongoing 4. Secure demonstration SLC support service in Scotland’s criminal justice agencies. Conference / TV /Supportive Partnerships / Working Group / Invitation to Bid

20. Get involved in Giving Voice The Big “Communication Saves” Event 26th October 2011 at 1pm, The Scottish Parliament Get your MSP to join in Scottish Parliament Debate We can’t do it without your stories! Host an MSP Visit Contact your MSP Get your local budget holders along to “Budget holders” event Support your local GV Champ Win a Giving Voice Award – 1 week to go!

21. The legacy ?

22. The BIG question Would independence be good for speech and language therapy? Separate regulation – a Scottish HPC? A SCSLT...?