Voluntary Services

Voluntary services within NHS Tayside and nationally provide essential support that enhances patient care and enriches the healthcare environment across hospital and community settings. The services work with a wide range of voluntary organisations and community groups, creating partnerships that help meet the diverse needs of patients, families, and staff throughout the Tayside region.

Voluntary Services support wellbeing, promote independence, and reduce social isolation by connecting people with community resources, advocacy, and practical assistance. These services include everything from patient and family support, health promotion activities, community engagement, to bespoke programmes tailored to vulnerable or hard-to-reach populations.

The voluntary sector collaborates closely with NHS teams, local authorities, and third-sector organisations to ensure coordinated, person-centred care.

NHS Tayside values the vital contribution of voluntary services in creating a compassionate, supportive, and inclusive healthcare system that meets the needs of all people in the region.

Referral Guidance

Referrals to voluntary services should be directed via the appropriate clinical pathway to ensure timely assessment and management. Primary care referrers are encouraged to use established referral guidance, which includes detailed information to facilitate efficient referrals.

For further information on specific speciality referral criteria, pathways, and contact details, please see available speciality information.