Healthcare standards
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National Care Service Bill published
New vision for the future of social care.
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Reshaping unscheduled care services
More than £50 million to support new approach to reduce A&E waiting times.
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FIT testing for patients with colorectal symptoms: secondary care guidance
Secondary care clinical guidance on the use of faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) for faecal haemoglobin (f-Hb) in addition to clinical acumen so that investigation of patients with colorectal symptoms can be targeted to those with the highest risk of colorectal.
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FIT testing for patients with colorectal symptoms: primary care guidance
Primary care clinical guidance on the use of faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) for faecal haemoglobin (f-Hb) in addition to clinical acumen so that investigation of patients with colorectal symptoms can be targeted to those with the highest risk of colorectal.
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Modernising breast screening services
Review of breast screening programme published.
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Mesh reimbursement fund opens in June
Removal surgery costs to be repaid.
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Health and social care - data strategy: consultation - easy read
We are gathering views on how data should be used and managed, across health and social care. These views will help shape the development of Scotland’s first data strategy for health and social care.
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Health and social care - data strategy: consultation
We are gathering views on how data should be used and managed, across health and social care. These views will help shape the development of Scotland’s first data strategy for health and social care.
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Early medical abortion at home
Minister confirms current arrangements will continue.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) mental health transition and recovery plan - children and young people's mental health: CRWIA
This children’s rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) addresses the commitments made in the Coronavirus (COVID-19): mental health - transition and recovery plan and encapsulates the work of multiple policy areas which address children and young people’s mental health.
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Unscheduled care - professional to professional decision support: guidance
This best practice guidance will help effective clinical communication and support shared decision making, with the aim of accessing alternatives to hospital attendance or admission where appropriate and safe to do so.
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Carrick Glen hospital bought by NHS Ayrshire & Arran
Facility to become new National Treatment Centre.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) higher education, further education and community learning and development: wider harms
This paper considers the indirect, wider harms of the pandemic on students, learners and staff within the Further Education, Higher Education and Community Learning and Development sectors from the perspective of stakeholders and drawing on the findings or relevant reports relating to these sectors.
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Healthcare professionals - supporting adults who present having experienced rape or sexual assault: clinical pathway
The Adult Clinical Pathway provides information about the healthcare and Forensic Medical examination (FME) for victims of rape or sexual assault; the steps that should be followed by the clinician undertaking the examination; and the requirements for follow up care and ongoing support.
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Information Governance review: executive summary
The Information Governance (IG) Review report, of which this is the executive summary, describes the current information governance (IG) landscape across health and care in Scotland, and make a series of evidenced-based recommendations for the improvement of Information Governance.
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Healthcare professionals - supporting children and young people who may have experienced child sexual abuse: clinical pathway
The purpose of this guidance is to ensure a consistent approach to the provision of healthcare and forensic medical examination services for children and young people of either sex who may have experienced sexual abuse.
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Strokes: progressive stroke pathway
The progressive stroke pathway, produced by the National Advisory Committee for Stroke (NACS), sets out a vision of what progressive stroke care in Scotland should comprise.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) supporting Gypsy/Travellers: framework for local authorities
This framework, created jointly with COSLA, is for local authorities and partners supporting Gypsy/Traveller communities whilst Scotland transitions to living with COVID-19. This framework replaces all previous versions.
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Chair appointed to audiology review group
Professor Jacqueline Taylor to take up role.
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Improving health and social care for older people in Scotland
Views sought on Strategy for Older People.
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Anne's Law and Health and Social Care Standards consultations: analysis of the responses
An analysis of the Scottish Government's public consultation on its proposals for introducing Anne's Law and for changes to the Health and Social Care Standards
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Anne's Law and the Health and Social Care Standards consultations: What did you tell us? - Easy Read
An easy read summary of the Scottish Government's public consultation on its proposals for introducing Anne's Law and for changes to the Health and Social Care Standards
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Public backing for Anne’s Law
Consultation finds ‘almost unanimous’ support for care home visit rights.
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“Unsung heroes” of COVID-19 response
National volunteering hub oversees 7,000 shifts in first year
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Coming Home Implementation report
Improving care for people with complex needs and learning disabilities.
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15 million milestone reached for Coronavirus tests
Scottish NHS hubs help bolster capacity.
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Scottish Household Survey – 2020 telephone survey
Experimental Statistics: Data being developed.
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Keeping eye exams free on the NHS
Increase in fees paid to optometry practices for free examinations.
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Mobile operating theatre for Orkney and Shetland
£2.3 million to support elective procedures.
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Expansion to NHS 24
New call centre to support non-emergency healthcare needs
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Increasing mental health support in GP practices
Funding to reach £40 million a year.
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Help for NHS during most difficult winter
Measures to support remote treatment.
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COVID vaccine for 12-15 year olds
Bringing forward second dose for young people.
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Action to focus Test and Protect on those at highest risk
Priority given to essential workers and those most at risk.
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Advice on visiting care homes and hospitals
Visits to people in hospital and care homes to continue with additional measures of protection.
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Steps to accelerate booster programme
Online portal extended and changes to flu delivery.
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New measures required to slow the spread of Coronavirus
Additional measures to manage the increased risks of transmission associated with Omicron.
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COVID-19 cases caught early by LFD tests
Evaluation of testing pathways published.
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Vaccine boosters available to over 30s
Advance booking facility opened up to 30-39 year olds.
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Record £18 billion for health and social care
Budget focus on pandemic recovery.
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Child health hearing services under review
Steps taken and Board escalated to improve paediatric audiology services.
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Abortion (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021 – proposed changes: business and regulatory impact assessment
This business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) considers the proposals for changes to the Abortion (Scotland) Regulations 1991 to enable notifications of abortions to be sent to the Chief Medical Officer electronically and to avoid personal data about patients being included in future notifications.
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Drug and alcohol services - improving holistic family support
This paper seeks to provide a framework, in line with the national drug/alcohol strategy Rights, Respect and Recovery (RRR) and linked policy initiatives for the development of a consistent approach for families affected by substance use.
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Effective Cancer management: framework
The framework for effective Cancer management is a guidance tool for Cancer Teams across NHS Scotland to improve and sustain performance of the National Cancer Standards.
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Transparent face masks introduced to NHS Scotland
Help for people with communication needs.
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Patient rights and responsibilities: charter
The Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities (the ‘charter’) summarises what you are entitled to when you use NHS services and receive NHS care in Scotland, and what you can do if you feel that your rights have not been respected. We have produced an easy read version of this charter at https://www.gov.scot/publications/charter-patient-rights-responsibilities-easy-read/.
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New Plan for endoscopy and urology
£70 million to ensure faster diagnosis.
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General Practice support over Winter and beyond
£30 million will help support more face-to-face appointments.
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Contact tracing workforce safeguarded
£33.1 million to retain over 500 posts.
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Adult support and protection - GP and primary care guidance: consultation analysis
We consulted on the proposed updating of the Adult Support and Protection guidance for GP and Primary Care Teams between 15 July and 26 August 2021. This report provides further detail from the responses we received.
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Negative test becomes part of certification scheme
Expanded testing needed to keep cases down.
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Expanding primary care
£7 million to improve and grow the primary care estate.
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Hospitals roll out three-in-one winter virus tests
£5 million investment to help ease patient congestion.
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Vaccine trials
Move to resolve international travel problems through additional vaccinations.
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Veterans and Armed Forces community: Scottish Government support 2021
This report highlights our continuing support for the Veterans and Armed Forces community in Scotland and provides an update on this year’s achievements and work undertaken to improve support and access to services for our Armed Forces, Veterans and their families.
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New guidance for A&E departments
Delivering the right care in the right place for patients.
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More measures to improve A&E waiting times
Further £10 million winter funding for NHS.
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Assessment of wellbeing - draft statutory guidance: consultation
This consultation paper is for the public consultation on draft statutory guidance on assessment of wellbeing, as required in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.
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Expanding Scotland’s medical workforce
£32 million for 139 additional trainee doctors.
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Scotland’s Covid Certificates Accepted by the EU
Scots must update certification status before travelling abroad.
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Additional funding to tackle COVID-19
£482 million for pandemic costs.
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Delivering the right care in the right setting
£10 million to avoid hospital stays and prevent delayed discharge.
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Flu and COVID-19 vaccine roll-out
Invitation letters for next eligible groups.
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NHS Scotland Academy
£9 million to enhance health workforce.
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Increasing NHS capacity.
Military to support busiest time of the year.
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Vaccine certification introduction confirmed
Venues will not face legal enforcement in opening weeks.
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World class cancer care
Five-year strategy for children and young people in Scotland.
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Records check for women excluded from cervical screening programme
Women’s Health Minister Maree Todd updates Parliament on remedying screening system issues.
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Edinburgh Eye Pavilion
Outline business case agreed.
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Vaccine certification plans approved by Scottish Parliament
Scheme will come into effect on October 1.
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Long COVID Support Fund
£10 million for NHS Boards.
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Hospital at Home
£2.6 million further funding.
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Don’t leave the job half done
Remaining under 40s urged to get their second dose.
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NHS Recovery Plan
More than £1 billion to improve care and tackle backlog.
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Public health minister updates parliament on cervical screening
Women inappropriately excluded from screening will be offered fast-tracked appointments
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Women's Health Plan
Tackling inequalities and improving health.
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Women's health plan: easy read
Easy read version of the women’s health plan.
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Women's health plan
The Women’s Health Plan underpins actions to improve women’s health inequalities by raising awareness around women’s health, improving access to health care and reducing inequalities in health outcomes for girls and women, both for sex-specific conditions and in women’s general health.
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Two metre physical distancing will remain in health care
Safeguard will remain under review as NHS remobilises.
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Prehabilitation for cancer patients
£270,000 pilot scheme gives pre-treatment support.
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Expanding the NHS Golden Jubilee
Health Secretary officially opens national ‘Eye Centre’ and announces £11.5m additional funding to cut waiting times.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) - experiences of vulnerable children, young people, and parents: research
This report presents findings from qualitative research conducted with a range of children, young people and parents in vulnerable or seldom heard groups, carried out to explore their lived experiences during and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Self-isolation rules
Application of exemption for critical staff.
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Supporting the NHS
£12 million to health boards for emergency care.
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NHS Covid-19 funding increased
£380 million to help Health Boards with pandemic costs.
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Improving cancer waiting times
£10 million investment in cancer care.
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Action to address incorrect exclusions from cervical screening
Women affected to be offered fast-tracked appointments.
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Surgical robots for NHS Scotland
£20 million for advanced technology to treat cancer.
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NHS Scotland Assure
New service for healthcare facilities.
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Three million people receive first vaccination
Scotland’s roll-out reaches two thirds of the eligible population.
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Vaccines delivered to a third of Scotland’s eligible population
One and a half million people have had their first dose.
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NHSScotland Confidential alert line: six month review (1 May 2020 - 31 October 2020)
Six-month report on the operation of the NHSScotland Whistleblowing Alert and Advice Line.
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One million people vaccinated
Milestone reached as programme continues to pick up pace.
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Vaccine programme exceeds expectations
786,427 people have received first dose.
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Community testing to begin in Fife
Next asymptomatic test site to open from Wednesday.
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Vaccine programme moves to next stage
Mass vaccination centres to open in Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
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Independent hospitals to support elective care
Additional capacity to ensure urgent treatment continues.
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Vaccines reach 113,459 people
Roll-out continues across Scotland.
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Fire station testing trial
Trial underway to increase test access in remote and rural areas.
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Roll-out of Astrazeneca vaccine gets underway
GPs in Dundee start administering first doses to over-80s.
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Community testing to be introduced from January
Targeted approach planned for high prevalence areas.
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Queen Elizabeth University Hospital/NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Oversight Board: interim report
This interim report sets out the initial findings and recommendations developed to date through the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Oversight Board’s programme of work in response to the infection issues affecting the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children.
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Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Independent Review - report recommendations: Scottish Government response
Scottish Government's response to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Independent Review Report, published on 15 June 2020.
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New app to support Covid vaccine rollout
Vaccinators can use the tool in any healthcare setting.
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Hospital and care home visiting update
Keeping residents and patients safe over Christmas and New Year period.
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Opening of specialist eye facility
First of Scotland's National Elective Centres.
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NHS Ayrshire and Arran - redesign of urgent care - pathway finder programme: rapid external review
The National roll out of the Redesign of Urgent Care was informed by a Rapid External Review of NHS Ayrshire & Arran Pathfinder site that went live on 3 November 2020. The review was chaired by Sir Lewis Ritchie and Commissioned by Interim Chief Executive NHS Scotland to monitor preliminary issues.
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Supporting children and young people who may have experienced child sexual abuse - clinical pathway: consultation analysis
An analysis of the responses to the consultation on the draft Clinical Pathway for healthcare professionals working to support children and young people who may have experienced child sexual abuse.
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Supporting adults who present having experienced rape or sexual assault - draft clinical pathway: consultation analysis
An analysis of the responses to the consultation on the draft clinical pathway for healthcare professionals working to support adults who present having experienced rape or sexual assault.
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Investment for cancer services.
New Action Plan for the recovery and redesign of cancer care.
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Resilience in the face of Brexit
Plans to protect patients and ensure flow of critical supplies.
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COVID-19 vaccines update
Health and social care workers, older care home residents and the over 80s first to be vaccinated.
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Protecting patients with the greatest need
New framework to help Health Boards prioritise Elective Care.
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Better outcomes for stroke patients
Patients receiving thrombectomy procedures this year.
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Supporting emergency responders this winter
Additional funding for more ambulances and staff.
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Respiratory care action plan draft: consultation report
The analysis of the consultation responses for the draft Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland, which sets out our vision for driving improvement in the diagnosis, treatment and care for those living with respiratory conditions.
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PPE Action Plan
Ensuring protection for those who need it.
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Face covering exemption cards launched
Supporting everyone to feel safer.
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Preparing the NHS for winter during a pandemic
Additional £37 million to support health and care services.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19): Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - action plan
Scotland’s COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Plan will help ensure that the right PPE of the right quality gets to the people who need it at the right time. The Plan’s scope includes health, social care and other workplaces and settings where COVID-19 could put people at risk.
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NHS Scotland - winter preparedness plan: 2020 to 2021
The Winter Preparedness Plan sets out, at a high level, the broad context and priorities for the NHS in Scotland until March 2021.
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Healthcare innovation
New technology to help NHS Boards meet demand.
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Organisational duty of candour procedure: first year review
Evaluation of the first year of the organisational duty of candour procedure through analysis of the annual reports that were published by NHS territorial and special boards across Scotland.
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Health and well-being visits to care homes to resume
Safe and phased return of visitors who improve quality of life.
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Increasing capacity and accessibility of testing
First of 11 planned walk-through sites set up.
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Right Care, Right Place
NHS Pharmacy First Scotland offers expert help in the community.
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Adapting NHS resources to respond to COVID-19
More than 300 patients treated at NHS Louisa Jordan.
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Lanarkshire COVID-19 cluster
Contacts of positive cases traced and asked to isolate for 14 days.
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National Mesh Removal Service
Surgery for women experiencing complications.
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Endoscopy services to be restored
Funding to reduce backlog.
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Getting the right care in the right place
New campaign to help people get the healthcare they need.
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Breast Cancer Screening to resume
Patients will receive letters to reschedule appointments.
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Visiting family and friends in hospital
Phased reintroduction of visits.
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NHS Louisa Jordan to help health service recovery
Hospital will support planned non-COVID healthcare and staff training.
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Resuming cervical screening
Patients whose appointments were cancelled can now contact GP practice.
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Next steps for NHS to be discussed
Expert advice to help plan future of services.
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Enhanced safety for health and social care staff
Routine testing of workforce extended as more services resume.
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COVID-19 antibody testing
Advice to health boards.
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Remobilisation of NHS Dental services
Urgent care to be made widely available.
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Restarting more health services
Careful resumption of paused services.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19): mobilisation of key clinical services
Analysis based on mobilisation plans and other health board data, June 2020.
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QEUH Independent Review
Cabinet Secretary responds to findings.
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Updated advice for people shielding
Outdoor exercise can be taken from later this month.
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New health measures for travellers to Scotland
Further safeguards from Monday to prevent new COVID-19 cases.
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£300,000 for young carers
Carers Week launched with additional support.
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Smoking ban proposals
Full analysis of consultation on smoking outside hospitals.
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Re-mobilise, Recover, Re-design: the framework for NHS Scotland
Sets out how health boards will safely and incrementally prioritise the resumption of some paused services, while maintaining COVID-19 capacity and resilience.
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Test and Protect rolled out nationally
Everyone with symptoms urged to book a test.
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Support for women with mesh complications
Fund set up to offer help with expenses.
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Expansion of COVID-19 testing
Everyone over the age of five with symptoms eligible to be tested.
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Strengthened clinical oversight for care homes
New arrangements to help care providers deal with pandemic pressures.
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Contact tracing technology piloted
Three NHS health boards to pilot software.
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Care Home Support Powers
New ‘safety net’ proposed for care sector due to COVID-19.
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Increase in PPE production
Expansion of Scottish manufacturing of gowns.
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Testing expansion
Target reached as capacity increases.
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New benefit for all health service staff
Payment in event of death in service.
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Securing vital COVID-19 supplies for Scotland
Offers of help from more than 1,600 businesses and individuals.
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Looking beyond lockdown
First Minister opens discussion on “new normal”.
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Delivery of critical NHS supplies
Flight brings vital equipment from China to Scotland.
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Protecting care home workers
PPE to be delivered direct to more than one thousand locations.
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Patient rights and responsibilities charter: easy read version
Easy read version of the revised charter of patient rights and responsibilities.
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Additional COVID-19 daily data published
Further information will help inform on-going response to outbreak.
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Construction underway at NHS Louisa Jordan
Over 500 staff working on site.
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NHS Louisa Jordan
New medical facility in Glasgow named after First World War nurse.
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Pubs, cafes and more told to close
Closure to apply immediately.
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Public encouraged to stay informed on coronavirus
First Minister visits NHS 24 contact centre.
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Support for mesh victims
Case note review to take place in spring.
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Coronavirus testing
Scottish facilities deliver quicker results.
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Record investment in health and care
Increased funding for frontline NHS boards.
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Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Update
Experts to review cases of infection.
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Health inequalities statistics released
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Strengthening NHS leadership
Building capacity and increasing support.
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Move to regulate cosmetic procedures
Proposals to legislate non-surgical services.
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Regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures: consultation
We are seeking views on the regulation of non-medically trained providers of non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
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Supporting rural GPs
Health Secretary accepts recommendations.
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Additional winter funding for NHS
Further support for seasonal pressures.
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Health Boards - Annual Operational Plans: sign-off letters 2019-2020
Letters issued by the Director-General for Health and Social Care relating to Annual Operational Plans (AOPs) received from all territorial and national NHS Health Boards for 2019-2020.
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NHS Scotland performance against LDP standards
Performance data on the current Local Delivery Plan (LDP) Standards - priorities set and agreed between the Scottish Government and NHS Boards to provide assurance on NHS Scotland performance.
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Queen Elizabeth University Hospital update
Further steps taken to increase public confidence.
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Attracting more people into frontline healthcare
Rise in number of people training to be GPs.
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Healthcare waiting times: improvement plan
Focuses on reducing the length of time people are waiting for key areas of healthcare.
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Organisational duty of candour: guidance
This guidance focuses on the implementation of the legal duty of candour procedure for health, care or social work services.
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NHSScotland Local Delivery Plan Guidance 2015-16
The LDP Guidance 2015-16 sets out the performance contract between the Scottish Government and NHS Boards.
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