Parliamentary reception raises SLTs’ profile in Scotland

01/03/2006

Photo: (From left) Margaret Mitchell MSP, Moira Little and Margaret Singer at the Scottish Parliament reception

The RCSLT hosted a reception at the Scottish Parliament on 1 February to extend its key messages to (MSPs) and other interested groups.

The reception gave the RCSLT an opportunity to engage with influential MSPs, including Malcolm Chisholm, Minister for Communities; Kenneth Macintosh, co-convenor of the cross party group for cancer, and sponsor of the event; Dr Jean Turner, convenor for the cross party group on the loss of consultant-led services in Scotland; and Nanette Milne, Conservative spokesperson for health, who supported the campaign to raise awareness of communication support needs in Scotland (see SLTs welcome research into communication support needs).

A variety of partner organisations also attended the event, including I CAN, AFASIC, Speakability, the British Stammering Association (Scotland) and Different Strokes.

RCSLT Country Councillor for Scotland Kay Fegan was particularly impressed by the feedback received from the MSPs.

"It was hugely encouraging," Kay said, "that the supporters of SLTs spoke about us in such a complimentary way, and that they appreciate the services we deliver in Scotland within the existing resources.

"While it was not possible to invite all our members to this event, SLTs in Scotland are to be congratulated on the high esteem in which they are held."

RCSLT Scotland Officer Kim Hartley said the event had raised the profile of speech and language therapy issues among key policyholders and stakeholders in Scotland.

"Feedback suggests a lot of productive networking was going on, not just for SLTs, but for user organisations and from the MSPs' perspective. As the official 'hello' to those we are trying to influence, it was the start of good relationships," Kim added.