Dear Colleagues

The Scottish Executive have just published a white paper on the future of 
the NHS in Scotland, "Partnership for Care". Key points include the 
abolition of NHS trusts and the introduction of a new guarantee on 
treatment time

some excerpts from press release below

full press release at

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/pages/news/2003/02/SEhd336.aspx

White paper at

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/health/pfcs-00.asp

Best wishes

David McDaid
LSE Health and Social Care

Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said

"Over the lifetime of the next Parliament, we plan to increase investment 
in health from £6.7 billion to £9.3 billion, an annual increase of 5.5% in 
real terms. "That is high by historic standards but it will only deliver 
the necessary improvements if it is matched by a programme of modernisation 
that is based on the needs of patients.
"This White Paper is about the promotion of health in the broadest sense 
and the creation of a health service that is fit for the 21st century. At 
the heart of its vision is a culture of care that is developed and fostered 
by a new partnership between patients, staff and Government."

Key points are:
More local health care - a wider range of services delivered locally in 
communities. Stronger role for Local Health Care Co-ops, evolving into new 
Community Health Partnerships. Abolition of NHS trusts and new requirements 
to devolve authority to frontline units and involve their professionals. 
New guarantee of treatment on time, initially for certain heart surgery, 
but to be extended to services with national waiting time targets. New 
local targets for specialities. Vigorous independent monitoring of services 
by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHSQIS) to ensure highest standards of 
care and cleanliness. The Executive will take tough action where serious 
failings emerge. A new Scottish Health Council, as part of NHSQIS, to 
involve the public in NHSScotland. Patients to be partners in decision 
making - plans for an Integrated Care Record owned jointly by patients and 
their health care professionals. A new statement of patients' rights and 
responsibilities and new complaints procedure. A new £26m fund for change 
and innovation to build a new model NHS designed not by centralised 
bureaucracy but by clinicians with patients in the driving seat and 
removing barriers between primary and hospital care. More help for staff 
through professional development and training to encourage new skills and 
roles to meet the needs of the NHS. A new approach to workforce planning.