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Paul Gray highlights key successes and challenges in 2013/14

The Chief Executive of NHS Scotland, Paul Gray, has recently published his annual report, looking at how the NHS performed during 2013/14.

The report reflects the significant achievements of NHS Scotland in the last year, whilst outlining the challenges that the health service continues to face.

Speaking following publication of the report, Mr Gray said he was proud of the contribution that the 150,000 people who work in the NHS had made to patient care across Scotland.

Mr Gray also focused on the range of activity over the last few years to make hospitals, and other health care settings, safer for patients. In 2013 the second phase of the world-leading Scottish Patient Safety Programme was implemented, which has resulted in a 15.9 per cent fall in hospital mortality since its introduction in 2008.

Cases of C.Diff and MRSA also fell in 2014 to among their lowest levels on record.

Paul Gray, Chief Executive of NHS Scotland and Director-General Health and Social Care, Scottish Government, said: “NHS Scotland is here to provide person centred, safe and effective care to every patient. I want to thank all our staff, and volunteers, working in the health service who ensure that we care for patients with such compassion, professionalism and dedication. Everyone is important, wherever they work, and whatever they do.

“As my report highlights, the NHS in Scotland has come a long way this year. Our hospitals are safer, we are diagnosing more people with cancer earlier, long waits in A&E have been reduced and innovative new healthcare treatments and technology are being rolled out across the health service.

“We have set ourselves some stretching targets, not only to drive improvement, but because we believe that patients should have confidence that they will receive timely diagnosis, care and treatment where required. We will continue to work hard to ensure that we achieve and deliver against these targets, for the benefit of the people we serve.

“I am particularly proud of the work that has been done by the NHS and our partners in local authorities and the third sector to take forward the integration of health and social care. This significant reform is central to our vision of ensuring that more people live longer healthier lives in home or a homely setting by 2020.”

In the report, the Chief Executive also outlines the particular challenges facing NHS Scotland over the coming years.

Mr Gray said: “There is no room for complacency. I know that there are demands facing the NHS now, and that these will grow over the next few years.

“More people than ever are living longer, with more complex conditions, and while increased life expectancy is very welcome, it means the way we deliver care has to change. That is why we are implementing the integration of health and social care with real determination. We also need to increase our focus on improving the health of the population. There has been real progress over the last decade, but entrenched health inequalities remain, and addressing these is a real priority for me. And reducing the number of people delayed in hospital is vitally important for patients, carers and families. We are tackling that now.

“I am also determined to ensure that the recommendations from the Vale of Leven inquiry are implemented as quickly as possible. The families affected deserved, and received, a full and unqualified apology for what they had suffered. I repeat that here, and pay tribute to the dignity that they have shown. The report itself had wide-reaching implications for the whole of NHS Scotland. And while we have made very significant progress on patient safety since the issues covered by the report, I am clear that we must take the actions necessary to ensure that patients everywhere receive the care they expect and deserve.

“So, while undoubtedly challenges remain, I have confidence in the people working throughout NHS Scotland, and I know they are committed to delivering the best possible care for patients. As my report shows, there is much to be proud of in our NHS and it is this wealth of talent we will build on as we seek to make NHS Scotland one of the best healthcare systems in the world.”

Notes To Editors

NHS Scotland Chief Executive’s Annual Report 2013/14 is available online.www.scotland.gov.uk/nhsscotannualreport