Human Rights Laws in Scotland
The Human Rights Act 1998 came into force in October 2000. It is one of the main ways that internationally-recognised human rights are given legal effect in the UK. The Act has a 20-year track record of delivering justice and rights for all, including for some of the most vulnerable people in society.
The Act means that vitally important safeguards set out in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) are available to everyone. In particular, all public organisations, such as NHSGGC, must act in accordance with the rights of the Convention.
The second Scottish National Action Plan on Human Rights was published in 2022. The Scottish Government, Public Sector organisations and charities have increased the focus on human rights due to issues arising from the pandemic, welfare reform, austerity and the recession.
Human rights to health, non-discrimination, food, fuel, income, employment, shelter, safety, relationships and citizenship are at risk for many people.
What are my human rights? mygov.scot
NHSGGC and Human Rights
NHSGGC has incorporated human rights as an integral part of:
- Equality Impact Assessments of strategies, policies, service redesigns, service developments and cost savings
- Key NHSGGC resources for patients
- Staff training
There are also a range of specific actions around implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in NHSGGC. The Convention sets out the essential rights of all children. The UNCRC Bill became law in Scotland in 2024 and is used as a framework to ensure that we consider children and young people’s rights whenever we make decisions that may impact on them. NHSGGC has incorporated the principles of the new law into our Equality Impact Assessments which are used to ensure our services and policies are meeting the requirements of equality law.
Useful Resources
Scottish Human Rights Commission health and social care case studies
Public Health Scotland Health inequalities: Human rights and the right to health
The Alliance: Being Human – a human rights based approach to health and social care
Documents
Children’s version of the Convention on the Rights of the Child | UNICEF