SCOTTISH HEALTHCARE Cont. from page 53
board across Scotland. While its target of reducing adverse events by 30 per cent and mortality by 15 per cent is ambitious, we are already seeing progress towards meeting that target.
These are just some of the ways in which we are making real improvements to the quality of service patients receive.
How do you plan to increase efficiency in the Scottish NHS?
The delivery of more effective, efficient and productive services is an integral component of the Better Health, Better Care Action plan and of the Scottish Government Efficiency Programme.
All NHS Boards are set a 2 per
cent efficiency savings target. These savings are retained locally for reinvestment in frontline services.
We also believe that delivering person-centred, safe and effective healthcare through our Quality Strategy will result in cost savings.
If we do the right thing the first time, every time, this will in turn lead to greater efficiency and productivity.
How would you characterise the relationship between managers and clinicians in the Scottish NHS?
The relationship between managers and clinicians working together in the NHS in Scotland
is one which puts patient care at the forefront of this service.
A patient’s experience of the NHS is about more than speedy treatment, important though that is. It is the quality of care that matters most.
Scotland’s Quality Strategy aims to ensure that - for the first time - the quality of NHS care will be measured through patients’ experiences, and the information used to drive up standards.
Patients will be encouraged to be partners in their own care and can expect to see improvements in six key areas: Caring and compassionate treatment; clear communication and explanation; effective collaboration with the clinician; clean and safe care
environment; continuity of care and clinical excellence.
For patients, the Quality Strategy means increasing dignity, being given the opportunity to be partners in their own care, the right to expect clean wards and decent food when you are in hospital.
For staff, it gives them the opportunity to do the things that matter to them - to provide care that is empathetic, compassionate and clinically excellent.
We have always had some genuinely excellent care in the NHS. The Quality Strategy aims to ensure it is provided to every patient, every time.
Real price of Scotland’s off-trade alcohol revealed by study T
wo reports published by NHS Health Scotland show the extent of cheap
alcohol sales in Scotland.
An updated report on alcohol sales over the five years 2005-09 confirms that adults in Scotland buy on average 24% more alcohol than the rest of Britain – that’s roughly equivalent to two pints of beer or two 175ml glasses of wine extra per person per week – and the gap has continued to widen.
It also shows that the average price of alcohol is £1.31 per unit in bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants and hotels which account for 32% of all drink sold, but only 43p per unit in the off-trade, which accounts for 68% of sales.
The second report, looking in detail at off-sales prices, reveals just how much cheap alcohol is sold in Scotland.
In the off-trade overall, 16% was sold at less than 30p per unit of alcohol, 51% at below 40p, and 77% below 50p.
But some types of drink can be 56 nhe Jul/Aug 10
bought much more cheaply than others; 59% of vodka was sold at less than 35p per unit of alcohol whilst 26% of cider sold for less than 20p per unit.
Dr Laurence Gruer, director of public health science at NHS Health Scotland said:
“We know there are strong links between lower price and increased consumption - and between increased consumption and more alcohol-related problems of all sorts. In recent years, alcohol from off-sales has become relatively cheaper, encouraging many more people to drink harmful amounts.
“For example, at 20p per unit, just £4.40 will buy enough cider to exceed the maximum recommended weekly amount for a man or £3.00 for a woman.
“These findings underline the need for action on cheap off- sales alcohol in Scotland. It’s by no means the only action needed, but the research shows clearly that nothing else is as effective as raising the price of alcohol.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100