Rural Health and Care: Past, Present and Future

Lead Research Organisation: University of the Highlands and Islands
Department Name: Centre For Health Sciences

Abstract

In this project, researchers, musicians and artists will work with community members to consider the history of rural health and care in the Highlands and Islands. In the year of the 75th anniversary of the NHS, project participants will draw on their own memories, as well as archive and research materials, to re-imagine what the future of rural health and care might look like. Together, we will go on a creative journey that asks us to reflect on the challenges, innovations and opportunities surrounding rural health and care and give our answer to the question: what should health and care in rural and island Scotland look like in the future? What will our rural communities need from health and care services as the NHS has its next significant birthdays and turns 80, 90 and even 100 years old? In what ways does the NHS need to work together with social care and the community sector to deliver for the needs of rural communities?

Project researchers will invite residents from Shetland and Inverness and its surrounding rural regions to take part in a series of workshops that discuss material from Highland archive, museum and library collections (including the Scottish Archive film Highland Doctor), ongoing UHI doctoral research (being carried out by Lyn Anderson on health and care in Shetland before the NHS) and new oral histories collected by project team members. Participants will be supported to record their own memories of rural health and care or to carry out peer research interviews with others.

Project partners, Science Ceilidh, will support the wider engagement connecting the community, arts and research elements. This includes co-developing with the community researchers two celebration ceilidh events that combine storytelling, traditional arts and discussion; to bring together and break down the barriers between the wider community alongside policymakers. Participants will be supported to produce materials that leave a legacy on the Scottish Rural Health Partnership website, such as podcasts, posters, drawings and narratives.

Publications

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