Patient’s at heart of health strategy

Patient participation, improved healthcare access, and a focus on the twin challenges of improving Scotland’s public health and tackling health inequalities are at the heart of the Government’s Action Plan for Health and Wellbeing published last month.

The ‘Better Health, Better Care’ strategy also sets out details of a package of measures which will deliver innovative and ambitious improvements to Scotland’s primary care system over the next three years.

Launching the Action Plan, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon said: “Better Health, Better Care sets out a clear vision for the NHS in Scotland. It outlines the actions we will take to improve health, tackle health inequalities and enhance the quality of our healthcare services.

“One specific area of action is an ambitious package of improvements to our system of primary care - more flexible GP access; a development of the Keep Well model of anticipatory care; and easy, walk-in access to a range of primary care services - which will start to deliver the local and more preventive health service that we need to develop for the future.
“We’ve set out a clear vision of a mutual NHS where ownership and accountability is shared with the public and with NHS staff.”

Added Ms Sturgeon: “No-one expects GP services to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But many patients - including those in some hard to reach groups - both want and would benefit from being able to see a GP before or after work or at the weekend. That is why we will work with professional bodies, NHS Boards and individual GP practices to provide a more accessible service which fits in with the lives of patients.

“This should involve more flexible access during existing contract hours as well as some extended hours opening.”
On the health of the nation, Ms Sturgeon said that while Scotland’s health in general was improving, it was clear that there were still significant challenges to be faced in improving public health and tackling health inequalities.
She concluded: “Better Health, Better Care delivers a national health service for the Scottish nation - a truly Scottish Health Service.”

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