The Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011, which received Royal Assent on 31 March 2011, aims to improve patients' experiences of using health services and to support people to become more involved in their health and health care. It will also help achieve the Scottish Government's Health Care Quality Strategy person-centred ambition for an NHS based on mutually beneficial partnerships between patients, their families and those delivering healthcare services. A full copy of the Act can be found online.
The purpose of this paper was to seek views on the revised “Can I help you?” good practice guidance for the NHS in Scotland. The revised guidance attached as Annex A reflects policy and legislative developments, and updates and will replace the guidance previously issued 2005.
The Guidance has been prepared with the support of a short life working group (Complaints Review Group) established from stakeholders across NHSScotland, Professional Bodies and Scottish Government Health Directorates.
