Scotland’s Population Health Framework

The Population Health Framework sets out Scottish Government’s and COSLA’s long-term collective approach to improving Scotland’s health and reducing health inequalities for the next decade.

Find out more and read the framework here.

Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework

The Scottish Government has published the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework.  It is designed to provide a high-level guide for change, to ensure the sustainability, efficiency, quality, and accessibility of health and social care services in Scotland.

Scottish Parliament motion to commend The Scottish Ambulance Service and Macmillan Palliative and End of Life Care Project

This motion was submitted by Bob Doris MSP on 20 June 2025 and can be viewed here: S6M-18043

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Sharing current Scottish Practice

The Poster Exhibition at the SPPC Annual Conference 2024 showcased best practice and new initiatives to improve experiences of living with serious illness, dying and bereavement in Scotland and further afield.

All of the posters are available to view on the SPPC website, and each month we’ll highlight a few on our blog. This month we highlight these five posters... click on the links to view the posters:

• Heart Failure: Getting to the Heart of ‘What Matters to You?’ Conversations
• In the Darkest Hours: Paramedics Delivering Palliative Care
• Kickstarting Kilbryde Hospice Day Service
• No One Dies Alone Services
• Proactive Palliative Care at the Front Door

The SPPC blog is a space to share practice currently underway in Scotland. If you have practice you’d like to share, please get in touch.

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The State of Caring survey 2025 is now open

The annual State of Caring survey is the most extensive survey into unpaid carers’ experiences in the UK. It is used as a vital source of evidence not only by Carers UK, but by many other organisations including Government, local authorities, health and social care services, charities and carers’ groups.

People who experienced being an unpaid carer in 2025 are invited to respond. The survey is open until 10 August. Complete the survey here.

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SPPC Achievements 2024-25

We have published a summary highlighting key achievements and projects over the last year. You can view this here: Annual Report Summary 2024-25

Conference: From System Holes to Whole System

The first speakers have been announced for the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care Annual Conference, taking place in Edinburgh on 12 November 2025.

This year’s theme is From System Holes to Whole System, and the conference will explore how the different elements of the system can work together more effectively to improve people’s experiences of living with serious illness, dying and bereavement.

A Call for Posters is currently underway. If you are interested in presenting a poster or bringing along your display stands, please contact Pauline Ellison for a proposal form at pauline@palliativecarescotland.org.uk, to be submitted by Monday 29 September 2025.

View the programme so far and book your tickets here: Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care Annual Conference Book by 18 August to receive the Early Bird rate.

To Absent Friends 2025: New Resources

We have launched several new resources to support people participate in To Absent Friends, a people’s festival of storytelling and remembrance that takes place across Scotland 1-7 November.

• Creative Workshops for Remembrance - four templates for group activities.
• To Absent Friends Suppers - A Guide
• To Absent Friends: Practical Ideas for Events

We also have a range of other ideas and resources on our website, including:

• To Absent Friends: Guide to Holding an Event 
• Guide to making a Tribute Wall
• Essence of a Memory photo exhibition 

If you have an idea you’d like to discuss, please get in touch: samara@palliativecarescotland.org.uk 

Creating Connection: A workshop on hosting remembrance events

Join us for this interactive workshop to explore some practical ways of holding space for remembrance activities. This event is designed for people who would like to organise an event as part of To Absent Friends 2025. 

Delegates will explore some potential ways of creating space for meaningful conversations and participate in three different activities: 

• Reminiscence Café
• Art Workshop
• To Absent Friends Supper

Together, participants will have opportunities to reflect on how they might bring one of these activities into their own community. More information is available here: To Absent Friends | Creating Connection: A workshop on hosting remembrance events  

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Hospice UK report: Bringing care closer to home: improving palliative care in remote, rural and island communities

Hospice UK have published a new report, Bringing Care Closer to Home, calling for action to ensure palliative care is available to everyone, everywhere, no matter where they live.

Read the full report here.

Read the briefing for Scotland here.

Conference: The Future of Bereavement Support in Scotland

Join the Bereavement Charter Group for a one-day event exploring how Scotland can build a more compassionate future for those experiencing bereavement. Hear from national voices, take part in practical workshops, and help shape what comes next.

This event will take place at the Renfield Centre in Glasgow on 28 August from 9:30am - 3:30pm.

Find out more and register your free place here.

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Healthcare Conferences UK: Professional Development Conferences & Masterclasses

Organised by Healthcare Conferences UK. For dates and times of individual sessions, see below. Readers of this newsletter can receive a 20% discount with the code hcuk20sppc.

• Caldicott Principles & Information Sharing in End of Life Care Friday 12^th September 2025. For further information and to book your place, visit the conference webpage or email aman@hc-uk.org.uk.
• A Practical Guide to Effective Non-Medical Prescribing in End of Life Care Thursday 25^th September 2025. For further information and to book your place, visit the conference webpage or email aman@hc-uk.org.uk.

Flick

House of Oz and Mad Nun Productions, 1-25 August, Edinburgh

“FLICK...delves into the complexities of a palliative care nurse’s life, blending comedy with a poignant examination of grief, loss, and care.” Find our more here. 

This Is Where You’ll Be

AGL and The Alchemists, 21 August 2025, Edinburgh

When Annie lost the love of her life to cancer, she found inspiration, comfort and courage in playing upbeat, funky, yet heartfelt music. So she formed a band, AGL and The Alchemists, and began to write and perform songs about love, life, loss and longing, and to explore through music, her experience of grief, survival and recovery. Find out more here.

The Future of Bereavement Support in Scotland

Organised by the Bereavement Charter Group. 28 August, Glasgow. Find out more and register here.

NES Bereavement Education Programme - 10 year anniversary event

Organised by NHS Education for Scotland. Thursday 18 September, 1:30-3:30pm, online via MS Teams. 

Find out more information and register here.

Palliative Care: Fit for the Future? 

Organised by Strathcarron Hospice. 1-2 October 2025. John McIntyre Conference Centre, Edinburgh, EH16 5AY

For more information contact Angela Harkins at angela.harkins4@nhs.scot. Find out more and book your place here.

To Absent Friends: A People’s Festival of Storytelling and Remembrance

Initiated by Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief. 1-7 November 2025 across Scotland.  Find out more here: To Absent Friends

NES Bereavement Education Conference 2025 - Bereavement as a Kaleidoscope: An Inclusive Approach For All

Organised by NHS Education for Scotland. 11 November 2025, online.

Registration is not yet open but to note interest in attending, please email event@nes.scot.nhs.uk.

From System Holes to Whole System

Organised by SPPC, 12 November 2025 at the John McIntyre Conference Centre, Edinburgh. 

Find out more and register here.

Masterclass in Palliative Care: Strathcarron, Scotland

Organised by OxCERPC. 14 November 2025, 09.00-16.30, Strathcarron Hospice. Early-bird offer until 1 August 2025.

Find out more and register here.

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