Bridging the Gap: Strategy and delivery

RoSPA, as part of the Building Safer Communities Executive Group, has taken forward work to provide insight into the need for a national strategy for unintentional injury and harm in Scotland.

There have been three stages to this exercise.

  • Stage One focused on the planning and promotion of the exercise as well as specific background research
  • Stage Two focussed on gathering viewpoints and feedback on unintentional injury and harm. Viewpoints were gathered from practitioners and the public in three ways: at the Cross Party Group on Accident Prevention and Safety Awareness, Qualitative interviews and through an online survey.
  • Stage Three focussed on pulling together the results of stages One and Two into a final report for the Building Safer Communities Executive Group’s consideration.

You can also see the full list of strategic and policy documents below.

For more information on Building Safer Communities, please visit: http://www.bsc.scot/

Strategic and policy documents

Please note that this is an ongoing list and if you are aware of any other strategies, please contact cmcavoy@rospa.com

Doc Type Theme Title Date Organisation Key points Country
Guidance Leisure Managing Risk in Play Provision: An Implementation Guide 2012 Play Safety Forum Sets out the context of play and safety, specifically looking at risk-benefit assessment. UK
Strategic Document Leisure Scotland's Play Strategy 2013 Scottish Government to help improve play experience, "Play is an important part of childhood development". Scotland
Strategic Document Occupational A Scottish Plan for Action on Health and Safety 2016 Partnership on Health and Safety in Scotland To ensure everyone within workplace health and safety works towards common aims. Scotland
Other Occupational HSE Business Plan 2018/19 2018 Health and Safety Executive Sets out key priorities in line with the Helping Great Britain Work Well Strategy. UK
Strategic Document Occupational Helping Great Britain Work Well Strategy 2018 Health and Safety Executive Focusses on sector plans as well as health priority plans: stress, musculoskeletal disorders and occupational lung disease. UK
Research Occupational Thriving at work The Stevenson / Farmer review of mental health and employers October 2017 Stevenson/Farmer Focusses on the challenges of mental health at work UK
Guidance Water Principle For Managing Water Related Risks 2013 NWSF To help provide a ‘one stop shop’ for water safety advice. UK
Research Water Global Report On Drowning 2014 WHO Highlights drowning as among the ten leading causes of death for children and young people in every region of the world. Recommends that every country should have a national water safety plan. Global
Strategic Document Water UK Drowning Prevention Strategy 2016 NWSF Aims to reduce accidental drowning fatalities in the UK by 50% by 2026 and reduce risk amongst the highest risk populations, groups and communities. UK
Guidance Water Preventing Drowning : An Implementation Guide 2017 WHO How to implement 10 effective measures to prevent drowning. Global
Strategic Document Water Scotland's Drowning Prevention Strategy 2018 Water Safety Scotland Aims to reduce accidental drowning deaths in Scotland by 50 per cent by 2026 and reduce risk among the highest-risk populations, groups and communities as well as contribute to the reduction of water- related suicide. Scotland
Research Water Local Authority Approaches to Managing Water Safety - Five Years On 2018 RoSPA Five year follow on report into the approaches that local authorities take to the management of water safety in Scotland. Scotland
Strategic Document Road Scotland's Road Safety Framework to 2020 2010 Scottish Government/Transport Scotland Sets out Scotland's national road safety strategy to 2020 with the vision of, “A steady reduction in the numbers of those killed and those seriously injured, with the ultimate vision of a future where no one is killed on Scotland’s roads, and the injury rate is much reduced.” Scotland
Strategic Document Road Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 2011 United Nations Serves to support the development of national and local plans of action, whilst also providing a framework to allow coordinated activities at regional and global levels. Global
Strategic Document Road Strategic Framework for Road Safety 2011 Department for Transport Sets out the strategic framework and policies to reduce deaths and injuries on our roads. United Kingdom
Strategic Document Road Transport Scotland Strategic Road Safety Plan 2016 Scottish Government Highlights the need to remove risk and prioritise initiatives aimed at preventing accidents and mitigating the effects when accidents+F27 occur. Scotland
Strategic Document Road EU Strategic Road Safety Plan for Road Safety 2018 European Commission A series of policies aimed at reducing death and injury on the EU roads. Europe
Research Older People WHO Global Report on Falls Prevention in Older Age 2007 WHO Looks at the issue of falls, challenges and "active ageing". Europe
Strategic Document Older People Reshaping Care for Older People: A Programme for change 2011 - 2021 2011 Scottish Government Sets out a vision and a number of actions to reshape care and support of older people. Notes housing adaption services should be streamlined to help independent people reduce their risk of accidents in the home. Scotland
Research Older People Up and About or Falling short? 2012 National Falls Programme Presents findings of a mapping exercise into service provision of falls/fracture prevention and management. Scotland
Guidance Older People NICE CG161 Falls in older people: assessing risk and prevention. 2013. 2013 NICE Evidence-based clinical guidance. England and Wales
Strategic Document Older People The Prevention and Management of Falls 2014 Scottish Government The main aims+ are to focus action on a more consistent approach to falls prevention and management. Scotland
Strategic Document Older People The Prevention and Management of Falls in the Community: A Framework for Action 2014 - 2016 2014 Scottish Government Supports a consistent approach to falls prevention and the implementation of local integrated falls and fragility facture pathways. Scotland
Strategic Document Older People Somewhere To Go and Something To Do: Active and Healthy Aging : An Action Plan For Scotland 2014 - 2016 2014 NHS Health Scotland Sets out actions for an active and healthy Scotland. A key theme within the action plan is falls prevention which focuses on improving national resources, developing a "place" standard, embedding falls in the workplace and developing a consistent approach to walking environments. Scotland
Guidance Older People SIGN 142 The Management of Osteoporosis and the Prevention of Fragility Fractures 2015 SIGN This guideline provides recommendations based on current evidence for best practice in the management of osteoporosis and prevention of fractures. Scotland
Guidance Older People Occupational Therapy in the prevention and management of falls in adults 2015 Royal College of Occupational Therapists Provides evidence-based clinical guidance for Occupational Therapists UK
Research Older People Dementia 2015: Aiming Higher To Transform Lives 2015 Alzheimer's Society Looks at the results of an annual survey of people with dementia and their care. One of its key recommendations is for a national plan for dementia to be developed. UK
Strategic Document Older People Effective Secondary Prevention of Fragility Fractures: Clinical Standards for Fracture Lactation Services 2015 National Osteoporosis Society Sets standards to help prevent fractures across the UK and includes the need to "prevent frailty, preserve bone health, reduce accidents". UK
Guidance Older People NICE QS86 Falls in older people. 2017. 2017 NICE This provides evidence based clinical guidance. England and Wales
Research Older People NICE Impact Falls and Fragility Fractures 2018 NICE Report into NICEs recommendations which could help prevent falls and fragility fractures. England and Wales
Guidance Home Unintentional Injuries in the Home: Interventions For Under 15s 2010 NICE Guidelines covering home safety assessments, supplying and installing safety equipment and providing education and advice. England and Wales
Guidance Home Reducing Unintentional Injuries In And Around The Home Among Children Under Five Years 2014 Public Health England, RoSPA, CAPT Identifies unintentional injuries as a major health inequality. Suggests a number of key actions including the need to provide leadership and mobilise existing services to prevent injuries. England
Strategic Document Home Home Accident Prevention Strategy - 2015 - 2025 2015 Health, Social Services and Public Safety A strategy, which focuses specifically on the home environment in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland
Research Home Unintentional Injuries and Home Safety Guidance 2017 NHS Health Scotland Reviews advice on home safety and prevention of unintentional injuries. Scotland
Research Home Home Safety Activity in Scotland 2018 RoSPA/Home Safety Scotland Research into local authority views which found a mixed picture with clear barriers and a need for improvement. Scotland
Other Child United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 United Nations Includes; "Article 24 (e) To ensure that all segments of society, in particular parents and children, are informed, have access to education and are supported in the use of basic knowledge of child health and nutrition, the advantages of breastfeeding, hygiene and environmental sanitation and the prevention of accidents". Global
Research Child Injury In Children: A Research Briefing Paper 2004 Health Scotland Informs health promotion policy and recommends a national strategy for child injury prevention should be developed and public health in Scotland "should adopt a strong collective leadership and advocacy role for child injury prevention". Scotland
Research Child Health for All Children 4: Guidance on Implementation in Scotland 2005 Scottish Government Suggests a number of recommendations to improve child health including a multiagency approach with positive messages and home safety visits. Scotland
Strategic Document Child Child And Adolescent Injury: A WHO Plan Of Action 2006 - 2015 2006 WHO Presents a framework for the WHO's approach to the prevention of child and adolescent injuries. It is a ten year plan developed to direct regional, national and global efforts. Global
Guidance Child Child Safety Good Practice Guide 2006 European Child Safety Alliance A guide to help stakeholders working in member states to promote good practice and implement child injury prevention strategies. Europe
Research Child Action Planning for Child Safety 2007 European Child Safety Alliance Linked to the Child Safety Good Practice Guide, this report emphasises the need to develop a national child safety action plan. Europe
Strategic Document Child Delivering a Healthy Future: An Action Framework for Children and Young People's Health in Scotland 2007 Scottish Government Presents an approach to delivering improvements in healthcare for children and young people in Scotland for the next ten years. This includes unintentional injuries. Scotland
Strategic Document Child Child Safety Strategy 2007 RoSPA, CAPT. Provides recommendations for action in unintentional injuries in Scotland. It suggests a clear need for leadership with the Health Department. It also suggests Community Safety Partnerships should be encouraged to adopt injury prevention. Scotland
Policy Child A Guide to Getting it Right for Every Child 2008 Scottish Government Focusses on actions to improve the well-being of all children and young people. Eight areas of well-being are identified as areas for improvement. It notes that, "Keeping children and young people safe: emotional and physical safety is fundamental and is wider than child protection". Scotland
Policy Child The Early Years Framework 2008 Scottish Government Sets out the importance of getting the early years of a child’s life right (pre-birth to 8 years old) and giving children the best start in life. Scotland
Other Child Scottish Government Response to the 2008 Concluding Observations from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child 2008 Scottish Government Mentions the link between deprivation and unintentional injury. It suggests that the Scottish Government should consider similar scheme to that funded by DCSF and delivered by RoSPA in England. Scotland
Research Child World Report on Child Injury Prevention 2008 WHO Brings together information on child injuries and prevention. It features a number of recommendations including the need to integrate child injury into a comprehensive approach to child health and the need to develop and implement a child injury prevention policy and plan of action. Global
Research Child European Report On Child Injury Prevention 2008 WHO Highlights that injuries are a leading cause of death and presents evidence of how injuries can be prevented. The report calls for greater commitment among policy makers. Europe
Other Child United Nations Millennium Development Goals 2000 WHO Eight goals created by the UN that all member states agreed to achieve by 2015.

 		 Global
Guidance Child Unintentional Injuries: Prevention Strategies For Under 15s 2010 NICE Formal guidance on strategies to prevent unintentional injuries among children and young people aged under 15. Recommendations include the need for home safety assessments and home safety equipment as well as the need for specific strategies for children's and young people's health and wellbeing. England and Wales
Strategic Document Child Preventing Unintentional Injuries to Children in the NHS GGC 2010 NHS GGC Local framework for action focussing on the key steps needed for a child injury prevention plan. The document suggests "At both national and local levels, there is a need for clear leadership, coordination of activities and improved communication." Scotland
Research Child Good Places Better Health for Scotland’s Children Childhood Unintentional Injuries Evidence Assessment 2011 Scottish Government Child injuries are considered a main priority in Good Places Better Health (2008). This evidence assessment aims to provide policy makers with information on child injuries Scotland
Research Child Evidence Summary: Public health interventions to prevent unintentional injuries among the under 15s 2012 Scottish Government Looks at research around Unintentional Injuries. It focuses on risk factors, strategies and prevention. Scotland
Research Child Child Safety Report Card Scotland 2012 European Child Safety Alliance Developed by the Child Safety Action Plan Project, the Report Card summarises Scotland’s performance with respect to the level of safety. Overall, Scotland was graded "good" although Water Safety was graded as "poor". Europe
Research Child Why Children Die: Death In Infants, Children And Young People In The UK (Part A) 2014 RCPCH Highlights the most recently available data on deaths to children and focuses on areas in which the UK can improve. One of its recommendations focusses on injuries and poisoning. UK
Research Child Why Children Die: Death In Infants, Children And Young People In The UK (Part D) 2014 RCPCH Follows on from the UK report but specifically focusses on Scotland. One of its key recommendations is that, "Local authorities and health boards should prioritise children's safety, and through utilising resources such as health visitors and home safety equipment schemes, educate and equip partners and carers to keep their children safe, with a focus on water safety, blind cord safety, and safe sleeping." Scotland
Research Child State of Child Health Report 2017 RCPCH Provides a comprehensive list of 25 measures for the health of all children in the UK, covers hospital admissions due to non-intentional injury and calls for strategic leadership at Local Authority level, training for practitioners and parenting interventions. UK
Research All Health in Scotland 2005 Scottish Government Touches on the challenges to health and healthcare in Scotland. It recommends the prevention of falls at or near home through home safety checks. Scotland
Strategic Document All New Zealand Injury Prevention Strategy 2003 Ruth Dyson Sets out a number of objectives to create a safe New Zealand "becoming injury free". New Zealand
Strategic Document All The National Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Plan: 2004 - 2014 2005 National Public Health Partnership Focuses on unintentional injury, self-harm and harm to others. Australia
Research All Injuries In The European Union 2007 European Union Quantifies the detrimental impact of injuries on the public's health within the European Union. It notes that one fatal injury is accompanied by over 2000 non fatal injuries. Europe
Research All Equally Well 2008 Scottish Government Looks at Scotland's Health Inequalities. Notes that reducing health inequalities should be a key priority for Scotland. Scotland
Policy All Good Places Better Health 2009 Scottish Government The Scottish Government's strategy on health and the environment. Four health challenges were mentioned: Obesity, Asthma, Unintentional injury ,Mental health and wellbeing. Scotland
Policy All Commission On The Future Delivery Of Public Services 2011 Public Services Commission Known as the Christie Commission, this report called for a radical reform of Scotland’s public services, in both delivery and culture. One of its key objectives was the reform of public service organisations in order to prioritise prevention, reduce inequalities and promote equality. Scotland
Strategic Document All The Strategy for Justice in Scotland 2012 Scottish Government Mentions accidents but notes that, "We are at a low risk of unintentional harm". Scotland
Research All Scotland's Big Book of Accident Prevention 2015 RoSPA Highlights the outcomes that can be achieved for the health of Scotland's population through partnership working in unintentional injury. Scotland
Research All Building Safer Communities: National Strategic Assessment for Unintentional Harm 2017 Scottish Government Notes a number of key priorities and recommendations including the need for a national strategy. Scotland
Policy All Public Health Priorities For Scotland 2018 Scottish Government Outlines the six priorities for public health in Scotland. One of the priorities is for, "A Scotland where we live in vibrant, healthy and safe places and communities". Scotland
Policy All National Outcomes 2018 Scottish Government Specifically for Unintentional injuries the focus is on one National Outcome, "We live in communities that are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe " Scotland
Research All Injury Prevention in Scotland - The Case for a National Strategy 2000 D. Stone, R. Muir and D. Gorman This highlights the need for a national strategy for unintentional injury in Scotland Scotland
Strategic Document All Safe and active at all ages - A national strategy to prevent serious accidental injuries in England 2018 RoSPA This is a national strategy for all accident prevention for England. England
Doc Type Theme Title Date Organisation Key points Country
Research & Other Isolation The Relationship Between Injuries Falls, Fear of Falling, Social Isolation and Depression 2005   Looks at the correlation between falls and isolation. USA
Research & Other Isolation Loneliness and Isolation Evidence Review 2010 Age UK Looks into the differences between loneliness and Isolation. UK
Research & Other Isolation Equal Opportunities Committee Age and social Isolation Report 2015 The Scottish Parliament Suggests a national strategy on social isolation should be developed. Scotland
Strategic Document Isolation A Connected Scotland 2018 Scottish Government the Scottish Government’s national strategy for tackling social isolation and loneliness and building social connections Scotland
Strategic Document Deprivation Child Poverty Strategy for Scotland 2014 Scottish Government Builds on previous work and aims to: continue to aspire to a Scotland where no child is disadvantaged by poverty . Scotland
Research & Other Deprivation Growing Up in Scotland: Health Inequalities In The Early Years 2010 Scottish Government Shows clear evidence that people living in more deprived areas experience increase in injuries. Scotland
Research & Other Deprivation Health inequalities in Scotland 2012 Audit Commission Scotland Notes unintentional injuries as one of the significant health challenges. Scotland
Research & Other Deprivation Young Children From Deprived Areas Are More At Risk of Serious Burns And Scalds 2017 Baker et al. Burns Volume 42 Issue 7 , 2016 Data in England from 1998 to 2013 shows that children from the most deprived areas are more than twice as likely to need hospital treatment for a scald or burn. England
Research & Other Deprivation Effective Interventions For Unintentional Injuries: A Systematic Review And Mortality Impact Assessment Among The Poorest Billion 2018 Vecino-Ortiz, A et al. Lancet Glob Health 2018; 6: e523–34 Looks at effective interventions for unintentional injuries among poorer people. Global
Research & Other Mental Health Childhood Psychiatric Disorder and Unintentional Injury: Findings from a National Cohort Study 2004 Rowe et al Found that Children with psychiatric disorders had higher rates of unintentional injury. UK
Research & Other Mental Health The Health Consequences of Child Mental Health Problems and Parenting Styles: Unintentional Injuries Among European Schoolchildren 2014 Keyes et al. Preventative Medicine 2014 Oct; 67: 182–188. Looked at mental health problems, parenting style and Unintentional injury. It found that unintentional injury is a potential health consequence of child externalizing problems. Europe
Research & Other Mental Health Utility of Self-Reported Mental Health Measures for Preventing Unintentional Injury: Results From a Cross-Sectional Study Among French Schoolchildren 2014 Constant et al. BMC Paediatrics 2014, 14:2 Supports evidence that child reported measures of psychopathy might help with injury prevention purposes. France
Strategic Document Mental Health Scotland's Mental Health Strategy 2017 Scottish Government Includes the key vision for the people of Scotland to get the right help at the right time, expect recovery, and fully enjoy their rights, free from discrimination and stigma. Scotland
Research & Other Mental Health Injury Risks in School Children With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Or Autism Spectrum Disorder 2016 Journal of Safety Research Found that school children with ADHD have an elevated risk of injury. There was no apparent connection between ASD and risk of injury. Sweden
Strategic Document Housing Age, Home and Community: A Strategy for Housing For Older People: 2012 - 21 2012 Scottish Government Looks at housing for older people in Scotland. It notes the housing sector supports health and social care through providing housing adaptation and services to help reduce the risk of falls and other accidents. Scotland
Research & Other ACEs The Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Subsequent Injury in Young Adulthood: Findings from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent and Adult Health 1991 University of Nevada, Las Vegas Examines the link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)and unintentional and intentional injury in later adulthood. Found child maltreatment, particularly physical abuse and emotional neglect tended to have a strong influence on the odds of both unintentional and intentional injury. USA
Research & Other ACEs Polishing the Diamonds - Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences in Scotland 2016 Scottish Public Health Network Aims to give an overview of ACEs in Scotland. Suggests that injury rates of children is linked to deprivation so is therefore most likely linked to ACE's. Scotland
Research & Other Alcohol Hospital admissions, deaths and overall burden of disease attributable to alcohol consumption in Scotland 2018 NHS Health Scotland Looks at patient admissions, deaths and burden of diseases because of alcohol: "Of particular concern is the contribution of alcohol to deaths from cancer as well as admission to hospital for unintentional injuries." Scotland

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