• News
• Archived news
• Events
• Scottish Health Council Meetings
• Newsletter
• PFPI events calendar
• Press Releases
• 2006/07 Annual Assessment of NHS Boards
• Other Reports

Press Releases

14 August 2007

SCOTTISH HEALTH COUNCIL REVIEWS FIND NHSSCOTLAND IMPROVING THE WAY IT INVOLVES PATIENTS AND THE PUBLIC

NHS Boards are getting better at involving patients and the public in their work but still need to do more to give people a greater say in health services.

That’s the view of the Scottish Health Council as it publishes annual reviews today (Tuesday 14^th August) of how each NHS Board is involving local communities in the design and delivery of health services.

The reviews highlight progress made by NHS Boards in key development areas between April 2006 and March 2007.

As at March 2007, key findings from the reviews included:

• eight of Scotland’s 14 territorial NHS Boards have made progress in establishing Public Partnership Forums, which are designed to improve links between NHS Boards and the public
• nine of Scotland’s 14 territorial NHS Boards have made progress in developing an independent advice and support service for people wishing to make a complaint about services.

The reviews also summarise how each NHS Board has involved patients, carers and the public in their efforts to meet a range of existing national measures and targets including:

• measuring patients’ experience
• ethnic monitoring
• 48-hour access to primary care
• delayed discharges.

NHS Boards were also asked to demonstrate how they have worked with patients and the public to reduce cancer waiting times, incidents of Healthcare Associated Infection and adult smoking rates.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am encouraged that these reports show a clear improvement in the way that NHS Boards involve patients and the public in their work.

“By involving local communities, NHS Boards are able to deliver better care and also build confidence in changes that have to take place in local health services. 

“However, there is no room for complacency and I will be taking the opportunity to discuss how NHS Boards are taking this work forward as part of the annual review process that we are engaged in at the moment. I look forward to hearing how Boards intend to build on the progress to date."

Scottish Health Council Chairman Brian Beacom said: “It has become obvious to the Scottish Health Council that NHS Boards provide better services when they listen to patients and take account of their views. These reviews, carried out by our network of local offices, show that NHSScotland is heading in the right direction but more needs to be done if patients are to have an even greater influence in shaping services.”  

Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “By assessing NHS Boards across the same measures and targets, we are beginning to build a national picture of how NHSScotland is engaging with patients, carers and the public.

“While we are pleased to note a positive trend overall, it is clear that some Boards need to ensure that further progress is made in key areas. For example, at the time of our assessment, some Boards reported that they did not have Public Partnership Forums and independent advice and support services for patients in place. However, all Boards should have addressed these issues by now and we will continue to monitor them on this, and on a range of other issues, as part of our ongoing scrutiny of NHSScotland.”

The full reports for each NHS Board can be viewed by clicking here

Notes to editors

1.                  The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive service for patients, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self assessment.

2.                  In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office supports a Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.

3.            The Scottish Health Council reviewed 14 Territorial NHS Boards and seven Special Health Boards. The Scottish Health Council is independent from the NHS Boards it assesses. 

Contact:        Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

1 May 2007

Scottish Health Council publishes Gaelic translation of report on NHS Western Isles’ patient involvement   

Today (Tuesday 1 May) sees the Scottish Health Council publish a Gaelic version of its recent review on how NHS Western Isles is involving patients and the public in its work.

The report highlights a number of examples of how patients and the public have influenced decision making in NHS Western Isles - for example, in the development of the NHS Board’s Managed Clinical Networks for diabetes and coronary heart disease and stroke.

The report also highlights the Board's work with ‘hard-to-reach’ groups such as the Cearns, Newton and Sandwick Community Development Projects, which it says have been well received by local communities.

Scottish Health Council local officer Donald Crichton said: “Our role is to ensure that all patients have a real say in health services so it’s vital that we make our findings as accessible as possible to everyone in the local community. By producing a Gaelic version of our report we recognise the importance of the language to the communities we serve and it provides another opportunity to highlight how the local NHS Board is performing in terms of its public engagement role.”

Mr Donald Martin, Chief Executive of Communn na Gaidhlig said: "CnaG welcomes the first Gaelic Report from the Scottish Health Council and it is appropriate that the first of its kind is for the Western Isles, where the vast majority of NHS service users are Gaelic speakers. We believe that public bodies such as the Scottish Health Council have an important role to play in supporting Gaelic and providing opportunities for its use in their work. We congratulate the Council on taking this initiative and hope that their excellent example is followed by other similar bodies."

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council reviews all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by a Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in the Western Isles and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS Western Isles engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS Western Isles. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.
7. The Scottish Health Council’s 2005-2006 review of NHS Western Isles was published in English in September 2006.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

11 September 2006

Scottish Health Council reports on NHS Western Isles’ patient involvement

In a report published today (Monday 11 September), the Scottish Health Council outlines how NHS Western Isles is involving patients and the public in its work.

The report highlights a number of examples where patients and the public have influenced decision making - for example, in the development of the NHS Board’s Managed Clinical Networks for diabetes and coronary heart disease and stroke.

The report also highlights the Board's work with ‘hard-to-reach’ groups such as the Cearns, Newton and Sandwick Community Development Projects, which it says have been well received by local communities. NHS Western Isles is also commended for establishing a Patient Focus and Public Involvement steering group, which should provide a forum for sharing information and promoting good practice across the organisation.

However, the Scottish Health Council reports that from the evidence provided by NHS Western Isles the principles of Patient Focus and Public Involvement are not yet fully embedded in the culture and practice of the organisation.

While the Board has made some progress from 2004-2005 on training staff and patients in Patient Focus and Public Involvement, the Scottish Health Council advises that further training is required.

The Board is also advised to review its Communications strategy in order to ensure effective dialogue with local communities. 

Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “While NHS Western Isles has demonstrated some good examples of involving patients and carers in its work, it needs to build on this and ensure that the public has a real say in their health services.”

Annual Review of Patient Focus and Public Involvement Performance

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by a Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in the Western Isles and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS Western Isles engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS Western Isles. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

4 September 2006

Scottish Health Council reports on NHS Tayside’s patient involvement

In its first annual review of how NHS Tayside has involved patients and the public in health services, published today (Monday 4^th September), the Scottish Health Council reports good progress by the NHS Board.

The Scottish Health Council report finds that NHS Tayside was able to provide examples of progress from across the organisation including its work with public partnership groups to gather feedback from the public.

NHS Tayside has also developed a range of mechanisms, including the provision of ‘freephone’ telephone numbers and a ‘freepost’ address, to collect feedback from patients and the public on proposed changes to service. 

The NHS Board provided evidence of involving patients and carers in their own treatment, including reviewing the appointment system for pre-school children with conditions such as cerebral palsy so that they could see all the relevant specialists at one session. 

NHS Tayside was also able to demonstrate progress against key priorities identified in the 2004/2005 review such as its work with ‘hard-to-reach’ groups, including Gypsy travellers.

Areas for further development for the Board in 2006/2007 include ensuring that patients, carers, communities and the voluntary sector can see how their views have been used to improve the patient experience or influence service redesign.

Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “Our review of NHS Tayside has found examples of where the Board is engaging well with the communities it serves. We look forward to working with NHS Tayside in the future so that it can build on this work and ensure that patients, carers and the public enjoy greater involvement in the design and delivery of health services in the area.”

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by a Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Tayside and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS Tayside engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS Tayside. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

31 August 2006

Scottish Health Council reports on NHS Health Scotland’s patient involvement

In a report published today (Thursday 31^st August), the Scottish Health Council highlights the efforts NHS Health Scotland has made to involve other organisations, patients and carers in its work.

While NHS Health Scotland acknowledges that it has made limited progress in developing its Patient Focus and Public Involvement in 2005/2006, it has provided examples which demonstrate progress in involving patients, carers and the public in planning and designing services and obtaining feedback from people who use the services.  

The Scottish Health Council report also highlights the Special Health Board’s efforts to work with other NHS Boards and voluntary organisations.

For example, NHS Health Scotland worked with partners, including smoking cessation co-ordinators from local NHS Boards throughout Scotland, to develop an anti-smoking campaign.

NHS Health Scotland provided examples of how it supports staff who may face discrimination within the workplace - for example, by gathering feedback from staff who have a disability when commissioning new office accommodation.

The Board also gave evidence of its work with ‘hard-to-reach’ groups, in particular in developing personal hand-held medical records for the Gypsy travelling community.

Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “Although it has limited direct contact with patients, NHS Health Scotland now has a system in place to monitor the way it involves the public in its work and we welcome the fact that it has clearly demonstrated its commitment to working in partnership with other organisations.“

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. NHS Health Scotland is a Special Health Board which supports organisations, policy-makers, communities and individuals to take action to improve health and reduce health inequalities across Scotland.
5. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by a Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
6. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Fife and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS Health Scotland engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
7. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS Health Scotland. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

30 August 2006

Scottish Health Council reports on the State Hospitals Board for Scotland’s patient involvement

In a report published today (Wednesday 30^th August) the Scottish Health Council outlines how the State Hospitals Board for Scotland is involving patients and the public in its work.

In particular, the Scottish Health Council report highlights the Board’s work with patients with learning difficulties in the development of the State hospital at Carstairs, and with ethnic minority communities in reviewing access to facilities.

The Board has also provided evidence of how it has responded to feedback from patients and carers - for example, through the development of a Patient Communication Group. It has also included evidence of how it has actively encouraged feedback from staff through focus groups, and the Scottish Health Council looks forward to learning how this information has been used to inform and influence change.

The Board reports that it provides feedback to patients who are involved directly in its work and that information is shared with patients through ward meetings and a patient newsletter. However, the Scottish Health Council has recommended that the Board reviews how information is provided to patients to ensure that it is accessible and appropriate to their needs.

Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “The State Hospitals Board for Scotland has provided examples of how patients and carers are involved in a number of its activities, including the review and development of information and services.

“The Scottish Health Council welcomes the opportunity to work in partnership with the State Hospitals Board for Scotland to develop its Patient Focus and Public Involvement activities for 2006-2007.”

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by a Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Lanarkshire and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well the State Hospitals Board for Scotland engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by the State Hospitals Board for Scotland. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.
7. The State Hospitals Board for Scotland is a Special Health Board covering the whole of Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Hospital provides assessment, treatment and care in conditions of special security for individuals with mental disorder who cannot be cared for in any other setting.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

29 August 2006

Scottish Health Council reports on NHS Borders’ patient involvement

In its first annual review of how NHS Borders has involved patients and the public in health services, published today (Tuesday 29th August), the Scottish Health Council reports that the NHS Board has performed well.

The Board has demonstrated the benefits of working with patients to improve their care in a number of ways. For example, NHS Borders staff worked with patients and their carers to provide a more patient-centred service for people with cancer, based on improved teamwork and communication.

NHS Borders has also developed ways of working with ‘hard-to-reach’ groups, including the homeless, and its Health Promotion Department supports LGBT Youth Scotland to co-ordinate an outreach project to work with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people in the Borders area.

Good progress has also been made against key priorities and development issues identified in the Board’s 2004/2005 assessment, including the establishment of the Community Health and Care Partnership and continued development of the Public Partnership Forum. The Board has also appointed  a Co-ordinator and a Lead Officer who will be responsible for the development of its Equality and Diversity strategy, and made Patient Focus and Public Involvement training available to staff and patient and carer representatives.  

The Scottish Health Council has identified areas for the Board to develop in 2006/2007 including a review and updating of its Patient Focus and Public Involvement Strategy, and the establishment of an Independent advice and support service. 

Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “NHS Borders has provided evidence of a wide and varied range of Patient Focus and Public Involvement from across the organisation. We look forward to continuing to work with the Board to ensure that patients, carers and the wider community have a real and meaningful say in health services in the area.”

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by a Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Borders and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS Borders engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS Borders. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

28 August 2006

Scottish Health Council reports on the National Waiting Times Centre Board’s patient involvement

In a report published today (Monday 28^th August) the Scottish Health Council outlines how the National Waiting Times Centre Board is involving the public in its work.

The Scottish Health Council report finds evidence of the Board’s ongoing engagement with patients and carers and that it is beginning to develop a structured approach to monitoring and developing its Patient Focus and Public Involvement.

A number of positive developments are highlighted including the Board’s involvement of patients and members of the public in the monitoring of cleanliness and infection control measures and in identifying areas likely to cause access difficulties for people with disabilities.

The report also indicates progress made by the Board in addressing many of the issues raised by last year’s assessment. However, the Scottish Health Council advises that the Board needs to develop robust mechanisms for monitoring and developing Patient Focus and Public Involvement, with supporting strategies, policies and plans.

The Scottish Health Council advises that the Board should draw on the expertise of other organisations (such as the Scottish Health Council and Voluntary Health Scotland) to ensure that it adopts best practice in involving the public in its work.

Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “Many of the examples cited by the Board in its self assessment reflect work in its early stages or work to be developed or implemented in 2006-2007. The Scottish Health Council looks forward to the development of these initiatives and to working with the National Waiting Times Centre Board to improve both the quality of its Patient Focus and Public Involvement activities and the ways in which the service shares information.”

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. The National Waiting Times Centre Board is a Special Health Board which has been set up as a national centre to address waiting time priorities in Scotland.
5. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by a Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
6. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Highland and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well the National Waiting Times Centre Board engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
7. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by the National Waiting Times Centre Board. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

24 August 2006

Scottish Health Council reports on NHS 24’s patient involvement

In a report published today (Thursday 24^th August) the Scottish Health Council outlines how NHS 24 is involving patients and the public in its work.

The report – which is the Scottish Health Council’s first annual review of NHS 24’s Patient Focus and Public Involvement  – identifies some areas where NHS 24 has shown how it responds to feedback from service users.

For example, NHS 24 developed an ‘out-of-hours’ fax sheet to help people with speech and hearing impairments to share information about their health condition or problem with their local NHS Board’s ‘out-of-hours’ service. The Scottish Health Council found that NHS 24 worked with a speech and hearing impaired couple and their local NHS Board (Tayside) to develop the fax sheet. 

The report also found that NHS 24 worked with members of the public and Help the Aged to develop an information booklet about its services for older people.

However, the report also highlights areas for improvement and development. For example, the Board is advised to ensure that it continues to work to identify and make contact with ‘hard-to-reach’ groups.

NHS 24 is also advised to review the direction of Patient Focus and Public Involvement across the organisation and to ensure that it has accurate information and contact details for the new independent advice and support services across Scotland.

The Scottish Health Council also recommends that NHS 24 considers how it will support patients and the public to offer feedback on its services or raise a complaint about NHS 24.

Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “Our role is to ensure that all NHS Boards are genuinely involving people in decisions and responding to their needs.

“While some areas of good practice have been identified in this report, NHS 24 needs to further develop links with local patient and community representatives across Scotland. We have recommended that NHS 24 works with Public Partnership Forums, which are being set up by Health Boards across Scotland, to share information about its service and obtain feedback from patients, carers, communities and the voluntary sector.“

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by a Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Greater Glasgow and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS 24 engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS 24. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

22 August 2006

Scottish Health Council reports on NHS Greater Glasgow’s patient involvement

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. NHS Greater Glasgow completed its self assessment in January 2006. The Scottish Health Council finalised its review of NHS Greater Glasgow early in August 2006. From 1 April 2006, the Board has been renamed NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and its boundaries further extended following the dissolution of NHS Argyll and Clyde.
4. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
5. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by a Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
6. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Greater Glasgow and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS Greater Glasgow engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
7. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS Greater Glasgow. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

16 August 2006

Scottish Health Council reports on NHS Education for Scotland’s patient involvement

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by a Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Fife and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS Education for Scotland engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS Education for Scotland. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

14 August 2006

Scottish Health Council reports on NHS Fife’s patient involvement

In a report published today (Monday 14^th August) the Scottish Health Council outlines how NHS Fife is involving patients and the public in its work.

The report – which is the Scottish Health Council’s first annual review of how NHS Fife works with its local community – finds that the NHS Board has acted positively on most recommendations from the 2004-2005 self-assessment report. For example, NHS Fife has demonstrated its commitment to training and supporting staff who are involved in its Patient Focus and Public Involvement activities.

However, further action is still required by the Board, particularly in developing its Patient Focus and Public Involvement Action Plan, which should be seen as a major priority.

The Scottish Health Council review also found that the self-assessment return for NHS Fife for the period 2005-2006 could have contained more information about some of the good examples where NHS Fife has involved patients and the public. These include the General Hospitals and Maternity Services public involvement exercises in the summer of 2005 and cancer projects which involved patients in service redesign.

For future assessments, it is recommended that NHS Fife puts in place mechanisms to gather good examples of Patient Focus and Public Involvement throughout the year from all areas of NHS Fife.

More evidence is also needed about how Patient Focus and Public Involvement is promoted to staff and how it can be more widely adopted in different areas within Fife. 

Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “NHS Fife has shown how working with patients and the public can benefit local NHS services. However, the Scottish Health Council would like to see more evidence in future assessments of the difference Patient Focus and Public Involvement has made to staff and patients.

“The Scottish Health Council Fife office would be pleased to work with NHS Fife to help ensure that local communities have a real and meaningful input into their local health services.”

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by a Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Fife and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS Fife engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS Fife. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

10 August 2006

Scottish Health Council reports on NHS Forth Valley’s patient involvement   

In a report published today (Thursday 10^th August) the Scottish Health Council outlines the efforts NHS Forth Valley has made to work with its local community.

The report – which is the Scottish Health Council’s first annual review of how NHS Forth Valley involves patients and the public in health services – finds that the NHS Board has worked with partner organisations in the voluntary sector and local authorities to improve the way it involves patients and the public in decisions about health services.

NHS Forth Valley also provided examples of patient-focused support for chronic conditions such as diabetes and brain injury. This support resulted in improved self management and a reduction in acute hospital admissions. For example, patients with epilepsy were supported at home by a specialist nurse with whom they had agreed appropriate care and treatment, and by information from the patient organisation Epilepsy Connections (a Scotland-wide patient support organisation based in Glasgow).

Similarly, NHS Forth Valley’s Adult Mental Health Services have worked with patients and local authority partners to develop home-based care services that prevent inappropriate hospital admission.

The report highlights NHS Forth Valley’s work with local Muslim groups, its provision of health information (such as on maternity services) in minority languages and arrangement of access to a translation and interpreting service. This work is supported by training and awareness-raising initiatives for staff.

Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “Our role is to ensure that NHS Boards are genuinely involving people in decisions and responding to their needs.

“Our local staff have found many examples of good practice by NHS Forth Valley in terms of how it is involving patients and the public in local services, but they have also identified areas for improvement and we look forward to working with the Board to help it meet these challenges.”

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by a Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Forth Valley and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS Forth Valley engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS Forth Valley. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

9 August 2006

Scottish Health Council reports on NHS National Services Scotland’s patient involvement

In a report published today (Wednesday 9^th August), the Scottish Health Council highlights the efforts NHS National Services Scotland has made to involve other organisations, patients and carers in its work.

The Board’s work with other organisations, such as other NHS Boards, public bodies and the voluntary sector (including Deaf Connections, British Lung Foundation and the Cleft Lip and Palate Association) was noted.

In one example highlighted in the report, donor representatives from the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Association are involved in quarterly meetings with NHS National Services Scotland in order to review donor services. 

The report also commends the way NHS National Services Scotland has developed a consistent approach across the organisation to involving patients and carers by sharing information between its individual divisions.

The NHS Board was also praised for staging an Involving People seminar to raise staff awareness about the main issues on how to involve patients and the public in delivering health services.

NHS National Services Scotland is advised to continue to develop its engagement with ‘hard-to-reach’ groups for future pieces of work - for example, by drawing on the expertise and experience of other NHS Boards and partner agencies, such as local authorities.

Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “Our role is to ensure that NHS Boards are genuinely involving people in decisions and responding to their needs.

“While NHS National Services Scotland has limited direct contact with the public and patients, it has provided evidence of how it has involved service partners, patients and carers in many aspects of its work.”  

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by a Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Fife and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS National Services Scotland engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS National Services Scotland. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.
7. NHS National Services Scotland is part of NHSScotland. It supports Scotland’s health and patient care by delivering essential national and regional services to NHSScotland. Its specialised divisions include the Central Legal Office and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

8 August 2006

Scottish Health Council reports on NHS Highland’s patient involvement

In its first annual review of how NHS Highland has involved patients and the public in health services, published today (Tuesday 8^th August), the Scottish Health Council reports that the NHS Board has performed well.

The report notes that the Board has worked with stakeholders and made good progress in establishing a Highland-wide Public Partnership Forum (known as Highland HealthVOICES Network).

NHS Highland provided evidence of a range of Patient Focus and Public Involvement training for staff, some of which has been developed with partner agencies, such as Volunteering Highland.

The Scottish Health Council report also highlights the introduction of a new Complaints Management policy, to be led by the Board’s newly-appointed Patient Focus Manager, which should enhance the way the Board responds to patient feedback. Evaluation of the impact of patients’ and carers’ views on the planning, design and delivery of services should be reflected in next year’s review. 

Challenges for the coming year include integrating Argyll and Bute’s Patient Focus and Public Involvement activity into NHS Highland and commissioning a new independent advice and support service for patients and the public.

Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “Our role is to ensure that NHS Boards are genuinely involving people in decisions and responding to their needs.

“This review of NHS Highland has found that the Board is engaging well with its local community, particularly through the development of the Highland HealthVOICES Network. We look forward to working with NHS Highland to ensure that it can build on this work and ensure that patients and the public enjoy greater involvement in the design and delivery of health services in the area.”     

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by a Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Highland and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS Highland engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS Highland. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

7 August 2006

Scottish Health Council reports on NHS Grampian’s patient involvement   

In its first annual review of how NHS Grampian has involved patients and the public in health services, published today (Monday 7^th August), the Scottish Health Council finds areas of good practice by the NHS Board.

(The Scottish Health Council is separately assessing NHS Grampian’s consultation on Older People’s Services, Maternity Services and Diagnostic and Treatment Services and this will be published in a later report).

The report highlights NHS Grampian’s Stroke Managed Clinical Network as a good example of involving patients and carers. NHS Grampian was also found to have involved patients in their own care by working in partnership with voluntary groups and patients, including consulting cancer patients on the development of a piloted self care programme.

The Scottish Health Council also reports that NHS Grampian provided complaints training sessions for over 300 members of staff throughout Grampian. However, the Board has been advised to review how information about the training is shared with all staff.

NHS Grampian also demonstrated its commitment to the ensuring that it considers the needs of patients from all backgrounds. For example, patients are involved in a Racial Equality Working Group to assess the impact of policies. Equality and Diversity training has also been provided to staff in partnership with Grampian Racial Equality Council.

The Scottish Health Council has also advised that the further development of Public Partnership Forums in Grampian should be informed by the experience gained from the establishment of the Public Partnership Forum in Moray.

Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “Our role is to ensure that NHS Boards are genuinely involving people in decisions and responding to their needs.

“This review of NHS Grampian has found that the Board is working hard to involve people from all parts of society. We look forward to working with NHS Grampian to ensure that it can build on this work and ensure that patients and the public enjoy greater involvement in the design and delivery of health services in the area.”     

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by a Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Grampian and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS Grampian engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS Grampian. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

1 August 2006

Scottish Health Council reports on NHS Lanarkshire’s patient involvement   

In its first annual review of how NHS Lanarkshire has involved patients and the public in health services, published today (Tuesday 1^st August), the Scottish Health Council finds areas of good practice by the NHS Board.

(The Scottish Health Council is separately assessing NHS Lanarkshire’s ‘A Picture of Health’ consultation on Accident and Emergency Services and this will be published in a later report).

The Scottish Health Council assessment highlights NHS Lanarkshire’s ‘Health Bus’ project, in which the Board has provided health advice and identified the health needs of local black and ethnic minority communities. 

The report also highlights that the care of patients with coronary heart disease has been enhanced in some GP practices by the development of patient- focused booking systems, which make it easier for patients to get an appointment that suits them.

NHS Lanarkshire is also commended for developing a ‘drop-in’ service called ‘Health Spot’ to teach young people in Coatbridge about healthy eating and complementary therapies.

The Scottish Health Council also reports that the Board has made good progress in key areas including the development of training programmes for staff in dealing with people from diverse backgrounds and in the development of Public Partnership Forums in the region. 

However, the report also finds that although NHS Lanarkshire is working with local Citizens Advice Bureaux to provide an independent advice and support service for complainants in Lanarkshire, promotional material for public was not widely available.

Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “Our role is to ensure that NHS Boards are genuinely involving people in decisions and responding to their needs.

“This review of NHS Lanarkshire has found that the Board is engaging well with local communities and is working hard to involve people from minority groups. We look forward to working with NHS Lanarkshire to ensure that it can build on this work and ensure that patients and the public enjoy even greater involvement in the design and delivery of health services in the area.”     

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by a Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Lanarkshire and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS Lanarkshire engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS Lanarkshire. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

31 July 2006

Scottish Health Council praises NHS Orkney for work with local community  

The Scottish Health Council also notes the NHS Board’s work with minority groups across Orkney, including the development of a multi-language information booklet with local ‘Teaching English as a Foreign Language’ students.

Other areas of progress by the NHS Board include the completion of a review of its patient and public information and the appointment of an Internal Communications Officer and Patient Focus and Public Involvement Co-ordinator. The Board has also developed a plan to enhance the way it involves patients and the public in health services.

However, the report also notes that the Public Partnership Forum in Orkney is still in the early stages of development and the methods used by the Board to gain public opinion and consult with the wider community in developing the Public Partnership Forum have been limited.

Other areas for improvement include the establishment of a new independent advice and support service for the public, and increased support for staff to enable them to respond to patient feedback, including the provision of complaints training to all staff.

Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “Our role is to ensure that NHS Boards are genuinely involving people in decisions and responding to their needs.

“This review of NHS Orkney highlights some good practice by the Board, particularly its work with local community groups to improve services. We look forward to working with NHS Orkney to ensure that patients and the public enjoy even greater involvement in the design and delivery of health services in the area.”     

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Orkney and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS Orkney engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS Orkney. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

27 July 2006

Scottish Health Council reports good public involvement in NHS Ayrshire and Arran 

The report is an assessment of NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s Patient Focus and Public Involvement activity over the past year. (The Scottish Health Council is separately assessing NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s consultation on Emergency and Elective Care and this will be published in a later report.)

NHS Ayrshire and Arran was praised in particular for its ‘Care Programme Approach’ project which brought together patients, service users, carers, healthcare professionals, voluntary organisations and local authority staff to develop individual mental healthcare and treatment plans for patients.

The Scottish Health Council also found that patients and carers involved in NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s Managed Clinical Networks for coronary heart disease and stroke are given support to enable them to contribute to improving services.

A wide range of information and support is also available for people who volunteer with NHS Ayrshire and Arran, including the provision of training and IT support.

The Scottish Health Council report also found, however, that information about independent advice and support for people wishing to complain about the NHS Ayrshire and Arran was not always available. Information provided on the Board’s website was clearly written, easy to read and available in different languages and formats, but some of the information was out of date.

Other areas for improvement and development include the need to involve and support staff in adult acute mental health admissions to enable them to get feedback from patients.

 Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “Our role is to ensure that NHS Boards are genuinely involving people in decisions and responding to their needs.

“Our review of NHS Ayrshire and Arran has found that the Board is engaging well with the people it serves, but there is still room for improvement. We look forward to working with NHS Ayrshire and Arran to ensure that patients and the public enjoy even greater involvement in the design and delivery of health services in the area.”     

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Ayrshire and Arran and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS Ayrshire and Arran engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS Ayrshire and Arran. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

25 July 2006

Scottish Health Council report praises NHS Lothian for involving patients and the public in health services

In a report published today (Tuesday 25^th July) the Scottish Health Council highlights the progress NHS Lothian has made in involving patients and the public in decisions about health services.

NHS Lothian was commended in particular for its efforts to work with ‘hard-to-reach’ groups in the area, including people with learning disabilities, gypsy travellers and young people. In particular, the report commended NHS Lothian for working closely with people with learning disabilities to develop a patient information leaflet.

The NHS Board also held a stakeholder event for patients, carers and representatives from voluntary organisations, local authority and NHS staff to find ways of giving people a greater say in health services.

The report also highlights the Board’s efforts to involve patients and communities at an early stage in developing Public Partnership Forums in Midlothian, West Lothian and North and South Edinburgh. 

However, the Scottish Health Council notes that NHS Lothian will need to continue to develop, support and evaluate these newly-established Public Partnership Forums, and further work is required to establish the East Lothian Public Partnership Forum.

The Scottish Health Council also reports that, although NHS Lothian staff can offer information and advice to local people on the NHS Complaints process and refer patients to independent advocacy agencies and Citizens Advice Bureaux, information was not readily available and in most cases had to be requested.

Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “Our role is to ensure that NHS Boards are genuinely involving people in decisions and responding to their needs.

“Our local staff in Lothian, supported by our Local Advisory Council Members, have found that NHS Lothian has made considerable progress against the key priorities it identified last year to improve the way it involves people in the design and delivery of services.

“We look forward to working with NHS Lothian to ensure people continue to have a real and meaningful say in the health services they receive.”   

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Lothian and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS Lothian engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS Lothian. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

---

20 June 2006

Scottish Health Council report highlights need for greater public involvement in the Scottish Ambulance Service 

In a report published today (Tuesday 20^th June), the Scottish Health Council advises the Scottish Ambulance Service that it needs to improve the way it engages with patients and the public.

The report finds that the Scottish Ambulance Service has yet to demonstrate  progress on priorities identified in last year’s Patient Focus and Public Involvement assessment, including:

• shifting the emphasis from consultation to involvement and engagement, and
• developing and implementing strategies and policies on volunteering, support for carers, how to engage with the voluntary sector and how to provide information to patients.

The Scottish Health Council also recommends that the Scottish Ambulance Service monitors and evaluates its Patient Focus and Public Involvement activities and how it shares information across the organisation.

It also advises that, as a national Board, the Scottish Ambulance Service has to reconcile its national strategy with the diverse needs of communities across Scotland, and to ensure services are responsive to local needs.

However the report also highlights some positive developments by the Scottish Ambulance Service during the year, including its work with NHS Lothian and others to produce communication aids for people with communication and learning difficulties.

The Scottish Ambulance Service also spoke to service users and commissioned a market research company to evaluate how it meets patient’s needs and how the service can be improved.

Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “Many of the examples cited by the Scottish Ambulance Service in its self assessment reflect work in its early stages or work to be developed or implemented in 2006-7.

“We look forward to the development of these initiatives and to working with the Scottish Ambulance Service to improve both the quality of its Patient Focus and Public Involvement activities and the ways in which the service shares information – both internally and externally – as part of its learning processes.”

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Highland and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well the Scottish Ambulance Service engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by the Scottish Ambulance Service. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

14 June 2006

The Scottish Health Council approves NHS Borders’ consultation on redesign of services

• made considerable efforts to involve patients, public and staff in the through the setting up of working groups and engagement with the Coldstream and Jedburgh Hospital Action Groups
• encouraged participation by widely publicising the consultation and by holding public meetings, ‘drop-in sessions’ and offering one-to-one meetings; all of which were well supported by Directors of NHS Borders.
• made information available in alternative formats and provided hearing loop systems and signers at public meetings
• ensured all comments and concerns received were fed in to the process.
  

• ensuring that public representatives have the opportunity to comment on final reports from groups with which they have been involved
• ensuring that, where one preferred option is identified for public consultation, this is made absolutely clear to all involved and the rationale for consulting on one preferred option is also clearly explained.
• carrying out an evaluation of the methods used in the consultation and ensuring that the findings are shared across NHS Borders in order to maximise the organisation's learning.
  

Scottish Health Council Chairman BrianBeacom said: “We have reviewed the evidence and found that NHS Borders took sufficient steps to involve patients and public in the redesign process.

“We would now encourage NHS Borders to work hard to engage with those community groups and members of the public who are disappointed with the outcome of this consultation to rebuild the confidence and trust which is essential for NHS Boards and the public to work together to ensure people receive the best services possible.

“We will be monitoring the Board’s activities in this area and discussing an action plan for re-engaging in dialogue with those groups who invested so much of their own time and energy into this process.”

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Health Council has a remit to consider whether NHS Boards have adequately consulted their local populations in relation to significant NHS service change, in accordance with existing guidance.
2. The Scottish Health Council has no role in commenting on the desirability of the options or whether the chosen option is the best overall.
3. The Scottish Health Council report covers two stages of patient and public involvement in proposed major service change within the NHS Borders area. The initial involvement and engagement process - the ‘In-Patient Redesign Project’ - commenced in January 2004 and ended with recommendations being submitted to the NHS Board in October 2005. The formal consultation on Coldstream and Jedburgh Community Hospitals and the Hume Learning Disabilities Unit, entitled “Getting Fit for the Future”, began on21 November 2005 and concluded on 24 February 2006.
4. This report contains an assessment by the Scottish Health Council, carried out by its Borders Office, of NHS Borders’ consultation and wider engagement on the proposed redesign of services. The assessment was made against existing standards and guidance.
5. Evidence on how well NHS Borders involved patients and local people was gathered by the Scottish Health Council from communications (e.g. reports, letters, NHS Borders’ website), staff and patient representatives, the Jedburgh and Coldstream Hospital Action Groups, and attendance at public meetings and NHS Borders’ ‘drop-in sessions’.
6. In addition to a national office in Glasgow , the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

12 June 2006

Scottish Health Council report highlights good patient involvement in NHS Dumfries and Galloway

Notes to editors

The Scottish Health Council was set up in April 2005 to ensure that the views of patients, carers and the public are properly taken into account by the NHS.

1. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland, including Special Health Boards.
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Dumfries and Galloway and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS Dumfries and Galloway engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS Dumfries and Galloway. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.
   

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

5 June 2006

Scottish Health Council reports good public involvement in NHS Shetland

In its first annual review of how an NHS Board has involved patients and the public in decisions about local services, the Scottish Health Council reports that NHS Shetland has performed well.

The report published today (Monday June 5th) is an assessment of NHS Shetland’s Patient Focus and Public Involvement activity over the past year and highlights a number of examples of good practice by the Board.

The Scottish Health Council found that members of the public have been involved throughout NHS Shetland’s current redesign of Audiology services, and kept informed throughout the process.

NHS Shetland also provided good evidence of working with other organisations – in particular working with the local Stroke Group to produce a stroke information booklet.

The Scottish Health Council’s findings also confirmed that the Board provides a number of ways for people to provide feedback on services – for example through patient groups, events, surveys and a comments and suggestion scheme. However, lay members also reported that it is not always clear how these views and opinions are formally taken forward.

The Board has made good progress against key priorities identified by the Scottish Executive in its review of 2004/2005, including the provision of an induction programme for public and patient representatives, the allocation of a dedicated Patient Focus and Public Involvement budget and the appointment of a dedicated director to lead in this area.

Areas for improvement and development include further development of Public Partnership Forums to improve links between the Board and the public, a new independent advice and support service, ongoing support and training for patients, public and staff, and more responsive and appropriate feedback methods (including giving consistent information on how to make a complaint).

Scottish Health Council Director Richard Norris said: “It’s vital that NHS Boards demonstrate that they are not only involving people in decisions, but that they are also responding to their needs.

“Our review has found that NHS Shetland is engaging well with the people it serves, but there is still room for improvement. We look forward to working with NHS Shetland to ensure that patients and the public enjoy even greater involvement in the design and delivery of health services in the islands.”

Note to Editors

1. In order to monitor whether this involvement results in better and more responsive services, all NHS Boards in Scotland (including Special Health Boards) are required to complete an annual Patient Focus and Public Involvement self-assessment framework.
   
2. The self assessment details how Boards have involved patients in their own care and how they have responded to the needs of individual patients and carers. Boards must also show how they work in partnership with patients and local communities when planning and developing services.
   
3. The Scottish Health Council will be reviewing all NHS Boards in Scotland , including Special Health Boards.
   
4. In addition to a national office in Glasgow , the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area. Each local office is supported by Local Advisory Council of volunteers who act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.
   
5. Staff from the Scottish Health Council’s local office in Shetland and its Local Advisory Council of volunteers reviewed leaflets, publications and evaluation forms, to gather evidence on how well NHS Shetland engaged with patients and the public. They also spoke to healthcare professionals, patients, carers, members of the public and voluntary groups in order to verify how they were involved.
   
6. This report does not include information on any significant service change carried out by NHS Shetland. The Scottish Health Council will review this information in a separate report, which will include an assessment of the Board’s activities measured against specific standards and guidance set by the Scottish Executive Health Department.
   

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340

14 June 2005

Official Launch of The Scottish Health Council

• Assessing the performance of NHS Boards in achieving a patient- focused NHS and involving the public in decisions about the design and delivery of health services
• Developing the capacity of NHS Boards, patient and community representatives by developing and sharing best practice in patient and public involvement
• Encouraging and enabling feedback from patients and carers about their experience of health services to NHS Boards
  

In addition to a national office in Glasgow, the Scottish Health Council has a local office in each Health Board area.

Each local office is supported by Local Advisory Council of up to 15 volunteers who will act as local ambassadors for patient and public involvement and advise the Scottish Health Council on how their Health Board is performing.

The Scottish Health Council has ten members in total including the Chairman, six members appointed nationally and three nominated by Local Advisory Councils.

Contact: Rob MacPhail, tel 0141 225 6992, mob 07855 838 340