Responding to the publication of Audit Scotland’s report ‘NHS in Scotland 2017’, Prof Derek Bell, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, commented:
“Today’s report makes the recommendation that workforce planning in Scotland’s NHS must urgently improve, which this College supports. A coordinated and detailed approach is required across all levels – Government, Board, regional, and the integration authorities - to ensure that we have a world-class clinical workforce providing the appropriate models of care in the appropriate settings.
“The report also stresses the importance of involving staff in this work. Doctors and other healthcare staff have an important role to play in– and should take responsibility for - making decisions about clinical services, whether this is in relation to integration with social care, or to the way hospital treatment will be provided in future. Medical Royal Colleges also have a role to play in supporting workforce planning in Scotland.
“It is encouraging to read about the initiatives across the country which are progressing the ‘realistic medicine’ agenda, which can also help with reducing financial pressures, while empowering our patients and reducing harm.
“However, the report also confirms that improving public health and reducing health inequalities in Scotland remain key challenges, and notes that improving the population’s health should be a priority concern across all parts of the public sector and policy areas, not the sole responsibility of healthcare staff.”
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Contact: Sara Collier s.collier@rcpe.ac.uk 0131 247 3658
