How we compile the news alerts pages
<< Back to News alerts introduction page
The news alerts pages are compiled by ScotPHO staff on a rota basis. We scan through the media monitoring emails produced by the ISD Scotland library and select public health-related news stories using the criteria outlined below.
What news items are included
As a general rule, a news item should fulfil at least one of the following criteria to be included in a news alerts page:
- It relates to public health intelligence of national relevance for Scotland. If it is a local story it should only be included if it has wider relevance to the rest of Scotland.
- It is based on newly published research or a newly published official (NHS, government, etc.) report / publication. A web link to the original / source publication must be available.
- It relates to a new policy or change in the law (e.g. the introduction of a ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces) which is likely to have a significant impact on public health in Scotland.
What news items are not included
A news item should not be included if:
- It relates to clinical research (e.g. treatment for disease) with no direct public health implications or relevance.
- It relates to NHS workforce or curative service provision, unless it has direct implications for health inequalities.
- It relates to a health promotion campaign, unless it includes data on / an evaluation of its effectiveness.
- It relates to England only, i.e. it does not include comparative data / information for Scotland as well.
sites