Scottish Systemic Vasculitis Network

MCNs have been defined as ‘linked groups of health professionals and organisations from primary, secondary and tertiary care working in a co-ordinated manner, unconstrained by existing professional and Health Board boundaries to ensure equitable provision of high quality, clinically effective services throughout Scotland’.

An MCN is a way of working where clinicians from all professions and sectors place their focus on patients and services rather than being constrained by organisational boundaries.

In addition, all MCNs have input from patients to ensure a patient-centred focus to all work.

The Scottish Systemic Vasculitis Network’s (SSVN) launch event took place in Stirling in December 2019 and was attended by researchers, clinical teams and patients and charities. The network has formed a steering group to provide strategic direction to the network. The Lauren Currie Twilight Foundation is delighted to have been involved from the set up and to continue to contribute in conjunction with patients.

The aims of the network are to:

• Improve the outcomes and experiences of vasculitis patients across Scotland.
• Improve early diagnosis
• Promote greater awareness of vasculitis
• Address the inequalities which exist amongst health boards
• Enable patients to access the best available treatments

Three steering groups have been created to focus on:

• Education-of patients, medical professionals and public
• National patient database
• Effective delivery of services

For further information contact nss.ssvn@nhs.scot.