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Pupils across Scotland have the chance to say what they think the NHS should look like in 60 years, as part of a schools competition. Launched today, the contest encourages youngsters to take a leap through time to what Scotland's healthcare services will look like in 2068. The competition is part of this year's programme of national and local activities celebrating the 60th anniversary of the NHS in Scotland. Visiting a P7 class at Elder Park Primary in Glasgow today, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon took questions from budding researchers about healthcare past, present and future. Ms Sturgeon said: "In the year of the 60th anniversary of the NHS in Scotland, I am delighted to launch 'My NHS'. "This competition gives pupils the chance to learn about the enormous advances in healthcare in Scotland. I am looking forward to hearing what the children have learned and, importantly, their vision for the future. "My own hope and vision for the future of the NHS is to see the Scottish people and NHS staff become real partners - co owners - of the health service so that they can shape a truly responsive National Health Service which meets Scotland's needs for the next 60 years." Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Fiona Hyslop said: "I expect the vivid imaginations of our school children to predict amazing things for the NHS of the future. "This is an ideal competition for them in which to use all of their cross-curricular skills to time travel and produce a glimpse of how the Scotland of 2068 will look and how they will be living and be cared for as part of this nation." Open to pupils in P6 through to S2, the competition will invite imaginative stories, poems or factual essays and will be judged on pupils understanding of healthcare issues and creativity. Developed in partnership with Learning and Teaching Scotland, a judging panel will select two winners who will each scoop a top prize of a Nintendo Wii and tickets to a Scotland match. The winners will also secure prizes for their schools including exclusive coaching sessions with the Scottish Football Association." Bill Boyd, education manager at LTS, said: "This competition will raise young people's awareness of the NHS and the significant milestone it has reached. "Curriculum for Excellence encourages teachers to work across the curriculum and this competition will provide teachers with a context for discussion of the history of the NHS, health and wellbeing and develop their creativity and writing skills at the same time. "I'm sure the calibre of entries will be high and we look forward to seeing them when they come in." The deadline for entries is October 20 and winners will be announced on November 10. A selection of the best entries will feature on the official NHS 60 website. Teachers and children should visit the NHS 60 website for information on how to apply. http://www.scotland.gov.uk |
