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National delivery programme launched.

A programme to deliver quicker and better outcomes for outpatients has been launched by Health Secretary Shona Robison.

The programme builds on best practice already in place across health boards and will use new technology, where appropriate, to speed up and enhance referrals and appointments.

It will focus on improving referral links between GPs and specialists and help ensure effective reminders for patients, cutting down on missed appointments.

Part of the improvements will also make sure that follow up appointments are used effectively and with the right members of the clinical team.

A £500,000 government investment has been allocated to health boards to create designated roles to support and co-ordinate the delivery of the programme.

Speaking at a conference in Edinburgh to launch the programme, the Health Secretary said:

“Health boards across Scotland continue to deliver some of the lowest waiting times on record, however, we know more needs to be done to improve and maintain on performance in order to meet the rightly demanding targets we have set.

“When it comes to outpatient services, health boards have already made good progress to improve waiting times by using digital technology for consultation, follow up and self-management and increasing communication between GP practices and specialists.

“The new programme will look at rolling out best practice examples out across the whole country with the support of designated officers in each health board.

“We have discussed issues around outpatient care with patients, NHS staff and the general public and have built their feedback into the programme.

“With an ageing population the NHS in Scotland is facing different challenges to a decade ago and it is vital that we support health boards as they continue to adapt to meet these new demands.

“Through this programme we aim to support health boards and health and social care partnerships to deliver a number of changes which will meet the needs of their patients and ultimately improve the outpatient services delivered.”

Notes To Editors

The outpatient delivery and improvement programme has been co-produced with NHS health board outpatient leads and patient and public stakeholders.

The objectives of the programme are:

• Support GPs’ use of technology to get advice and referral feedback from specialists
• Implement standardised approaches to the referral process in order to allow GP referrals to be dealt with quickly and efficiently
• Review and standardise return appointment process
• Embed virtual consultations and use of digital self-management technologies where appropriate