National Centre for Remote and Rural Health and Care: Information Hub

The Scottish Government unveiled its Action Plan to Address Depopulation in February 2024.  It focuses on supporting and enabling sustainable communities.  The plan is particularly relevant to remote, rural and island healthcare.  Overseen by the Scottish Government’s Ministerial Population Taskforce, this strategic initiative outlines a comprehensive approach to tackling the challenges of attracting and retaining residents in communities experiencing population decline.

The report includes maps of projected population changes from 2018 to 2030 by local area.  While many remote, rural, and island NHS board areas are expected to experience population decline, notable exceptions show above-average growth. Areas near Inverness and some parts of Orkney, Shetland, Dumfries and Galloway, Aberdeenshire, and the Borders are anticipated to see population increases.  These variations highlight differing needs for services within NHS board areas.

Access to health and social care is identified as a key factor to address in the national response to depopulation, with solutions to be delivered locally.  The report underscores the Government’s commitment to supporting and developing rural primary care.

View the action plan at Supporting and enabling sustainable communities: action plan to address depopulation - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) carried out innovative research to create sustainable, community-friendly primary care models from 2014 - 2020. This work has reshaped healthcare delivery in the Highlands and influenced practices as far as Australia.[1]

Serious Planning Games
UHI introduced a unique planning tool, the Remote Services Futures (RSF) game, bringing together communities and healthcare professionals to design better primary care services. This interactive game uses community budgets and practitioner roles to foster collaborative planning, resulting in practical, locally-tailored healthcare solutions.[2]

Community Engagement
Research identified key factors for successful community involvement in healthcare planning. Empowering citizens and considering local contexts proved essential for meaningful engagement, leading to sustainable service changes.[3]

Tracking Community Perceptions
UHI developed indicators to monitor how rural service changes are perceived over time. These insights were crucial for the Being Here Programme, revealing community preferences and guiding the implementation of new primary care models like Rural Support Teams.[4]

Learn More Dive into the innovative methods and real-world impacts that are making a difference in remote communities by reading the full case study here: Impact case study : Results and submissions : REF 2021