Health and public safety in Scotland are the focus of topics in this portion of our guide. Police, fire, and emergency medical services within the country are included here, along with hospitals, clinics, and other medical services.
Healthcare in Scotland is provided by National Health Service (NHS) Scotland, the Scottish public health service, and is free to all permanent residents, paid for through general taxation. Although the public healthcare system is the most commonly used, a large variety of alternative and complementary health and medical treatments are available to those who can pay.
NHS Scotland has been in operation for more than seventy years, although the origins of a national health service date back more than a century. As far back as 1913, the Highlands and Islands Medical Service provided free medical treatment to a population that covered more than half of Scotland. This service provided doctor, nurse, and midwife services to Scotland's remote countryside. It remained in place throughout World War I and II, before being replaced by NHS Scotland.
Managed by NHS Scotland, employed or self-employed residents of Scotland, as well as their spouses and immediate families, are entitled to tax-supported healthcare. Since 2011, prescriptions filled in Scotland are also covered. Full-time students are eligible for the same healthcare coverage.
However, public healthcare is available on a needs basis. Treatments not available through NHS Scotland may be obtained through private healthcare when the patient is covered by a private healthcare plan or can afford the charges.
Publicly covered services include accident and emergency treatments, medical advice from a general practitioner, emergency and non-emergency hospital treatments, and prescribed medications, although some doctor services, some dental treatments, and some optical treatments may have to be paid for.
Persons residing in Scotland are expected to register with a local Scottish general practitioner, but registration is free.
NHS Scotland is the largest single employer in the country, employing people in more than seventy professions.
Officially known as the Police Service of Scotland, Police Scotland is the national Scottish police agency. Police Scotland was formed in 2013 through the merger of eight regional police forces, as well as the Scottish Police Services Authority, and the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency. Police Scotland is the second-largest police force in the United Kingdom, after the Metropolitan Police Service in Greater London.
Scotland is also policed by the Ministry of Defence Police, British Transport Police, and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, which operates within their respective jurisdictions. The Metropolitan Police Service and the National Crime Agency have some jurisdiction in Scotland, although their presence is limited.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was formed in 2013 by merging eight regional fire services. It is the largest fire brigade in the United Kingdom, surpassing the London Fire Brigade. The eight services that were merged were the Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service, Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service, Fife Fire and Rescue Service, Grampian Fire and Rescue Service, Highlands, and Islands Fire and Rescue Service, Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Services, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, and Tayside Fire and Rescue Service.
Part of NHS Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service is the only public emergency medical service covering Scotland's mainland and islands. It provides a paramedic-led accident and emergency service to respond to 999 calls, a patient transport service, and a variety of supporting roles, including air ambulance services.
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Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, BTA has established a brain tumour support group in Edinburgh, supplied funding for research projects, as well as training for specialist neuron-oncology nurses, and provided aromatherapy services to brain tumour patients undergoing treatment in hospitals. BTA also operates a 24/7 support line staffed by volunteers, and publishes informational booklets and other publications. Its leadership structure is defined, and contacts are provided.
https://braintumouraction.org.uk/
Situated on a private 50-acre woodland estate in the Scottish countryside, Castle Craig is a hospital and treatment center for people addicted to alcohol or drugs, as well as programs for behavioural problems. Family-operated, the facility includes a 12-step residential rehabilitation clinic. A confidential phone line is also available for those seeking more information about the admission process or treatment. Its programs and policies are highlighted, and contacts are posted.
https://www.castlecraig.co.uk/
Down's Syndrome Scotland is a member-led charity established in 1982, and the only charity in Scotland dedicated to supporting people with Down's syndrome and their families and care people. Its services, local branches, policies, and current working arrangements are set forth. Its staff, board of trustees, and contacts are provided, and its publications and community platform are set forth. Branded items are available for purchase through its online shopping area.
https://www.dsscotland.org.uk/
National Health Service Scotland works across fourteen territorial NHS Boards, seven special NHS Boards, and one public health body, and it is responsible for the protection and improvement of health in Scotland, and for the delivery of frontline healthcare services. Its Boards, Special Boards, and Health Body are featured, with contacts and additional information, patient inquiries, and a directory of NHS and other health-related sites is included. Contacts are provided.
https://www.scot.nhs.uk/
North East Eating Disorders Support
NEEDS Scotland is a small registered charity facilitated by volunteers who have personal experience with eating disorders, either as a carer or a past sufferer. The self-help group welcomes adults affected by an eating disorder as a sufferer, parent, partner, relative, or friend. Offering group meetings, fundraising, and a library of resources, a schedule of meetings is posted, along with member testimonials, eating disorder information, news, contacts, and information on becoming a facilitator.
https://www.needs-scotland.org/
The Police Service of Scotland is the national police force of Scotland. Formed through the merger of eight regional forces in 2013, the force is led by an executive team that includes the Chief Constable, four deputy chief constables, and nine assistant chief constables. Its purpose, focus, and values are stated, along with codes and ethics for policing in Scotland, an overview of its responsibilities and services, and information about filing complaints about the police.
https://www.scotland.police.uk/
Funded by HSC Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service provides emergency medical services throughout Scotland and its islands, including response to 999 calls, patient transport, air medical services, and specialist operations and transport. Its services and policies are defined, including educational articles on various topics of first aid, as well as its training programs. Employment and volunteer opportunities are posted, and contacts are provided.
https://www.scottishambulance.com/
Scottish Association for Mental Health
Established in 1923, SAMH operates more than seventy services in communities throughout Scotland, providing mental health and social care support, addiction, and employment services, as well as others. An interactive map shows where SAMH works, and its leadership team and ambassador are introduced. Other resources include downloadable impact and annual reports. Employment and training opportunities are posted. General information about mental health and mental health resources is provided.
https://www.samh.org.uk/
Organised in 1968, Scottish Autism is now the largest provider of autism specific services in Scotland, and an authority for good autism practice. With its head office in Alloa, the organisation has staff throughout Scotland, offering a large range of services for autistic people, including education, day and vocational opportunities, supported living, outreach services, respite, and specialist transition support. Its services are defined here, and its contacts and publications are posted.
https://www.scottishautism.org/
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
SFRS is the national fire and rescue service of Scotland, and the largest fire brigade in the United Kingdom. The SFRS is introduced, including its board, an overview of its services, career opportunities and policies, and regional (North, East, West) divisions, senior personnel, local stations and plans, shared services, and a community risk register. Stakeholder information, current consultations, and previous consultations are discussed. Environmental information regulations are included.
https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/
Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care
SPPC brings health and social care professionals from hospitals, social care services, primary care services, hospices, and other charities together to determine ways in which to improve people's experiences of declining health, death, dying, and bereavement. Its governance, membership policies, staff, and contacts are set forth, along with its strategies and programs, educational events, and publications. Informational articles, resources, and research are included.
https://www.palliativecarescotland.org.uk/
Scottish Social Services Council
The SSSC is responsible for raising standards in Scotland's social service workforce. Established in 2001, the SSSC is responsible for registering people who work in social services and regulating their education and training. An introduction to the agency, its codes of practice, council, and committees, organisational structure, governance, and publications are featured, along with workforce data and an overview of its responsibilities and services.
https://www.sssc.uk.com/
Created by Steven Burns, who specialises in neurolinguistic programming (NLP), hypnosis, and coaching, and is a professional NLP therapist, hypnotherapist, and coach, the site offers online courses in NLP and hypnosis for a monthly fee, or other courses that area available for a one-time fee, including skills-based courses on coaching and therapy. Available courses are described, with prices, and online signup availability. One-to-one coaching and mentoring may also be available.
https://solutionsinmind.net/
