News
Public Health Minister to visit Youth Café
Robert Leslie 26/07/2010 15:25:00
SCOTLAND'S Public Health Minister Shona Robison is to attend a health
fair at Kirkwall's Youth Café on Tuesday, as part of the NHS Orkney
Annual Review.
The Youth Café brings together NHS Orkney with a number of local
partner organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of local
young people. The café also features a health hub giving young people
information on drinking, drugs, smoking, sexual health, and weight management.
The health fair will be open from 9.30am to 12 noon, where young people
from S1 and above can try a free big breakfast featuring smoothies,
muffins, fruit salad and porridge. There will also be lots of other
activities and health freebies at the fair.
During her visit, Ms Robison will also see a presentation on some of
the benefits the Quality Strategy is bringing to care in Orkney.
The Minister will visit the café's health fair prior to taking part in
the health board's annual review session - which is open to the public
- at the King Street Halls. Half an hour has been allocated to allow
questions from members of the public attending the review.
Speaking ahead of the annual review, Ms Robison said: "Our NHS is
cherished by all of us. It should always strive to give quality care to
every patient, every time.
"Health boards deserve credit for their many successes, and should take
the opportunity to learn where improvements can be made and make
changes.
"That's why it is so important we hold them to account in public. I
hope as many people as possible can come along to the King Street Halls
on Tuesday to listen, ask questions and help shape the future of our
NHS."
NHS Orkney chief executive Cathie Cowan said: "The board regards the
review as a very important barometer of how the organisation has
performed over the last year.
"As well as providing a platform for the excellent work of our staff,
it is right that senior representatives of the service are on hand to
account for the decisions they make throughout the year on behalf of
local patients.
'I very much hope that the community will take the opportunity to attend."