NHS Forth Valley is participating in a new national scheme set up to provide financial and emotional support people who experienced child abuse in residential care settings across Scotland in the past.

The Redress Scheme, for survivors of historical child abuse in residential care settings in NHS Scotland, seeks to acknowledge and provide tangible recognition of past harm, and its impact on survivors.

Cathie Cowan, Chief Executive of NHS Forth Valley, said: “On behalf of the Board, I want to offer our sincere apologies to anyone who suffered harm and abuse while in the care of the NHS in Scotland.

“We also want to publicly acknowledge the wrongfulness of historical child abuse, and the harm this caused to survivors.

“While participation in this national scheme is an important step, we recognise that financial redress is only one aspect of acknowledging past harm and we are committed to being open, transparent and caring in how we engage with anyone who has experienced historical abuse while in the care of the NHS.”

All 22 of Scotland’s NHS Boards are fully committed to supporting the Redress Scheme. By contributing to the Scheme, they are setting out the commitment from NHS Scotland to support survivors and take steps to provide some redress for past trauma.

Information on the Scheme and support for people affected by this issue can be found through the following links:

• Applying to the scheme – How to apply for redress 
• Information about the scheme and contributors – Scotland’s Redress Scheme
• Redress Scotland

Support for survivors of abuse:

• Future Pathway
• Childhood Abuse: Support
• The Survivors Trust