National review chair appointed

Former Chief Medical Officer Sir Harry Burns has been appointed as the independent chair of the national review into targets and indicators for health and social care.

The review will work with service users, staff, professional bodies, and providers, to ensure targets and performance indicators lead to the best outcomes for people being cared for, whether in hospital, primary care, community care or social care services.

The review will also look at how targets and indicators align with the Government’s strategy for the future of NHS and social care services, and support best use of public resources.

Sir Harry said:

“Ministers are rightly clear that health and social care services must deliver the best possible outcomes for Scotland’s people. I believe also that health and social care staff want to provide effective and compassionate care to those they serve. It is vital that the information we gather allows those working in health and social care to feel empowered to improve outcomes. I am looking forward to engaging positively with people on this important review.”

Health Secretary Shona Robison said:

“I am delighted to welcome Sir Harry Burns on board as the independent chair of the national review and look forward to seeing the review’s initial recommendations in the Spring.

“In many areas, Scotland leads the way in terms of the performance and quality of our health and care services and I am determined to protect that reputation.

“We’re committed to delivering the best care possible for the people of Scotland – whether that is in hospital or in a community setting.

“That’s why we want to ensure we have a national measurement framework across the whole health and social care system.

“As I have said before, targets have an important place in our NHS and there are certain standards, such as those in emergency care and cancer, which patients have the right to expect.

“We need to ensure that we also understand how our caring services are performing in a way that takes account of people’s experience of different kinds of care, and the extent to which their care is well joined-up.”

Councillor Peter Johnston, COSLA Spokesperson for Health and Wellbeing said:

“COSLA welcomes the joint review of NHS targets and health and social care indicators. It is right that in supporting integration and the wider political ambition to shift the balance of care, we take a whole system look at how we measure progress and support change to happen.

“I am delighted that Sir Harry Burns has agreed to bring his personal experience and independent leadership to this work. He has a long history of looking at the big picture and taking a whole system approach that is needed to ensure that our targets and indicators improve outcomes and support health and social care to be innovative and responsive to the changing needs of our communities.

“I look forward to working in partnership with the Cabinet Secretary to support this review and as appropriate to consider its recommendations.”