Responding to the publication of Audit Scotland’s report ‘NHS in Scotland 2016’, Prof Derek Bell, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh commented:
“The College has long supported calls for improved national and local workforce planning, which is a key recommendation of this report.
“Long term and detailed planning at both Government and Board levels is vital to ensuring we have a world class clinical workforce to provide the new models of care necessary for health and social care integration to succeed.
“Doctors and other healthcare staff need to play a role in – and take responsibility for - making decisions about clinical services, whether this is in relation to integration with social care, or to the way acute hospital treatment will be provided in future.
“Initiatives such as ‘Choosing Wisely’ and the Chief Medical Officer’s proposals for ‘realistic medicine’ in Scotland can also help with reducing financial pressures, while empowering our patients and reducing harm.”
ENDS
Contact: Sara Collier - 0131 247 3658 / s.collier@rcpe.ac.uk
Notes:
1. 'NHS in Scotland 2016' can be accessed from the Audit Scotland website: http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/report/nhs-in-scotland-2016
