Healthcare standards
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Health and social care vision
Information on health and social care reform initiatives.
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The Scottish Mental Health Nursing Review
The Mental Health Nursing Review report aims to enhance the conditions for mental health nursing to flourish in Scotland, now and in the future. The report was co-developed by mental health nurses, students, academics, with support from carers and people accessing mental health nursing care.
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Health and social care - service renewal framework: equality impact assessment
The equality impact assessment (EQIA) carried out for the Service Renewal, a reform initiative aimed at transforming health and social care in Scotland, promoting a vision where individuals lead longer, healthier lives.
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Health and social care - service renewal framework 2025-2035: Fairer Scotland Duty summary
The Fairer Scotland Duty (FSD) assessment carried out for the Service Renewal Framework, a reform initiative aimed at transforming health and social care in Scotland, promoting a vision where individuals lead longer, healthier lives
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Health and social care - service renewal framework: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) for the Service Renewal Framework, a reform initiative aimed at transforming health and social care in Scotland, promoting a vision where individuals lead longer, healthier lives.
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Health and social care - service renewal framework: island communities impact assessment
Island communities impact assessment carried our for the Service Renewal Framework, a reform initiative aimed at transforming health and social care in Scotland, promoting a vision where individuals lead longer, healthier lives
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Health and social care - service renewal framework: consumer duty impact assessment
Consumer duty impact assessment for the Service Renewal Framework a reform initiative aimed at transforming health and social care in Scotland, promoting a vision where individuals lead longer, healthier lives
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Breastfeeding and infant feeding: strategic framework 2025-2030
Sets out national actions on how we will support pregnant women, mother's and new parents on their infant feeding journey, continue to reduce breastfeeding inequalities and improve experiences informed by evidence of what works in Scotland.
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Continued progress on child mental health waiting times
Staff praised as national target is exceeded again.
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£106 million to reduce waiting times
Longest waits to be targeted.
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National Care Service: factsheet
Information about how we plan to move forward with our National Care Service (NCS) in 2025 and beyond.
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Expanding NHS orthopaedic services
Major increase in surgical procedures
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Realistic Medicine and Value Based Health and Care Casebook
The Realistic Medicine Casebook shows how teams across Scotland are putting Realistic Medicine into practice. It’s a practical guide offering inspiration and support for those adopting its principles and a celebration of progress in transforming care to deliver what matters to the people we care for
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Realistic Medicine: Survey Highlights
The 2025 Realistic Medicine Survey reveals professionals’ views on progress towards the 2025 vision, including support for practising Realistic Medicine, barriers encountered, and future priorities to deliver outcomes that matter to people and help create a more sustainable health and care system.
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Change to health board escalation
Additional support for NHS Grampian
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Progress in clearing longest waits
More than 105,500 appointments and procedures delivered last year with additional funding.
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Long term conditions - framework: consultation paper
Consultation paper on a new integrated framework for long term conditions in Scotland.
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Organisational Duty of Candour: non-statutory guidance - revised March 2025
This revised guidance focuses on the implementation of the legal duty of candour procedure for health, care, and social work services.
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Strengthening Scotland’s NHS
New plan to focus on delivery.
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Healthcare Associated Infection strategy - second phase deliverables impact assessment: progress report - March 2025
Progress report documenting the work progressed and completed to drive the successful delivery of the Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI) strategy.
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Progress in tackling waiting times
Frailty services expansion to build on improved performance.
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Footcare guidance
A refresh of the personal footcare guidance which has been developed in line with the emerging programme of work around Care and Wellbeing, NHS Recovery and the delivery of sustainable services which provide the people of Scotland with the right care, at the right time and in the right place.
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Child mental health waiting times target met
Minister says progress is “encouraging” and thanks staff for their dedication.
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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. This version of the Framework now incorporates 10 elements to consider when planning and delivering cancer services.
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NHSScotland 'Once for Scotland' workforce policies - managing health at work: consultation
The ‘Once for Scotland’ workforce policies programme is designed to review and transform existing workforce policies (previously known as Partnership Information Network (PIN) Policies) in line with our vision.
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Pledge on waiting times exceeded
"Our plan is delivering" - Health Secretary.
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Getting the Right Care in the Right Place
Evaluating the introduction of the Redesign of Urgent Care.
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Health - redesign of urgent care: evaluation - technical report
Technical report to support the redesign of urgent care evaluation main report.
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Health - redesign of urgent care: evaluation - summary report
Summary report to support the redesign of urgent care evaluation main report.
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Health - redesign of urgent care: evaluation - main report
The Redesign of Urgent Care pathway aims to improve patients’ access to urgent care. The evaluation captured patient and staff experiences of the pathway and analysed key urgent care delivery metrics, enhancing our understanding of what is working well and areas for improvement.
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Health Secretary praises NHS resilience
Services dealing with ‘extraordinary surge’ in flu cases.
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Regulation and licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures
Consultation launched on improving safety in the sector.
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Improving patient experience
Record funding will transform engagement with health services.
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Record investment to support health & social care
Budget includes £200 million to reduce waiting lists and delayed discharge.
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Continued improvement in child mental health waiting times
Best performance since national target was set.
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Public satisfaction in local health services
Scottish Budget will build on pandemic recovery.
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Cass Review - decision to accept the findings: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
Report on the assessment of impact of Scottish Government's decision to accept the findings of the Cass Review: Implications for Scotland report from a senior multidisciplinary clinical team within the office of the Chief Medical Officer on the rights and wellbeing of children and young people.
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A&E performance - Four Hour Emergency Access Standard: Expert Working Group recommendations report
The Four Hour Emergency Access Standards Expert Working Group Recommendations Report puts forth recommendations to ensure greater consistency in reporting of A&E performance across NHS Scotland.
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Setting the Table Guidance
Nutritional Standards and Practical Guidance for Early Learning and Childcare Providers in Scotland. Childcare services providing food and/or drinks to children 0-5 years, and are registered with Care Inspectorate, will be responsible for the implementation of this guidance.
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National Care Service: co-design of the charter of rights and responsibilities – easy reads part one and part two
Will set out people’s existing rights and responsibilities when accessing support through the National Care Service. It will also include information about how people can make a complaint, if their rights are not met by the National Care Service.
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National Care Service: workforce charter summary of co-design findings
Our co-design work for the National Care Service has focused on different themes. Valuing the workforce is one of these themes. In our most recent work, we have been looking at ways in which a National Care Service workforce charter could support workforces to feel engaged, valued and supported.
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National Care Service - workforce charter: summary of findings - easy reads part 1 and 2
Our co-design work for the National Care Service has focused on different themes. Valuing the workforce is one of these themes. In our most recent work, we have been looking at ways in which a National Care Service workforce charter could support workforces to feel engaged, valued and supported.
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Abortion Services - Safe Access Zones: easy read summary
Easy read summary of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Scotland Act 2024.
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Scottish Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2024: national report
The report shows the results of the Scottish Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2024.
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£30 million to reduce waiting times
Targeted action to tackle longest waits.
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Medication Assisted Treatment standards update
Report highlights 90% of standards 1-5 assessed as fully implemented.
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Improving gender identity healthcare
Implications of the Cass Review for Scotland
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Hospital at Home for Older People
£3.6 million investment as capacity increases by 57% to exceed targets
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National engagement on NHS Reform
£5 million for health research projects.
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New tech tool to tackle NHS waiting lists
National theatre scheduling software to increase procedures.
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Apology to victims of infected blood scandal
First Minister makes statement in parliament.
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First instalment of £300 million to reduce waiting times
New funding alongside actions to increase productivity.
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Healthcare science: strategic approach
The approach we will take to develop healthcare science in Scotland. This sets out a vision and ambitions for the profession, and also the key themes in which future work will be undertaken.
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National Care Service Bill
Parliament agrees general Stage 1 principles
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Speeding up cancer diagnoses
Report shows impact of Scotland’s first fast-track cancer diagnostic services.
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NHSScotland: national access policy
This policy has been updated to provide a national approach for health boards to ensure equitable, safe, clinically effective and efficient access to services for their patients.
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National Trauma Transformation Programme: Trauma-Informed Maternity Services Pathfinders - Learning Report
Commissioned as part of the National Trauma Transformation Programme (NTTP), this report presents the findings from two trauma-informed maternity services pathfinder projects.
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Preparing for Emergencies Guidance
This guidance provides advice, considerations, and support from a strategic lens for Health Boards to effectively prepare for emergencies in compliance with relevant legislation.
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Business continuity: strategic guidance for NHS health boards
This guidance focuses on the strategic high level aspects of business continuity management which allows for local interpretation on how each health board in Scotland delivers at an operational level to suit their business needs.
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Value based health and care: action plan
Sets out the actions to support health and care colleagues practise Realistic Medicine and deliver value based health and care, by focusing on outcomes that matter to people, optimising use of health and care resources, and contributing to a more sustainable health and care system.
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Psychological therapies and interventions specification
Specification setting out the aims to improve the delivery of psychological therapies and interventions for everyone accessing and delivering these across Scotland.
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Core mental health standards
These core standards support adult secondary services with the aim of improving quality and safety of mental health services for people in Scotland.
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Adult secondary mental health services: consultation analysis
The new core mental health standards have been informed by the adult secondary mental health services public consultation analysis. The consultation results have been independently analysed to produce a full report and executive summary.
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Core mental health standards: easy read summary
Easy read summary of the core mental health standards. Supporting adult secondary services with the aim of improving quality and safety of mental health services for people in Scotland.
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Independent Review of Audiology Services
Report into hearing care and treatment published.
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Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 - draft statutory guidance: consultation
This consultation is on the statutory guidance that will be issued by the Scottish Ministers to accompany the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019. The guidance will support relevant organisations in meeting requirements placed on them by the Act and relevant secondary legislation.
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Transvaginal Mesh Case Record Review
The final report on the Transvaginal Mesh Case Record Review.
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Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI) strategy 2023 to 2025
The Scottish Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI) Strategy 2023 to 2025 sets out our approach to supporting NHS Scotland to reduce HCAIs, as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Time Space Compassion - supporting people who are having a suicidal crisis: guide - easy read
Easy read version of the Time Space Compassion introductory guide to supporting people in suicidal crisis. It has been developed for use by people and services who regularly come into contact and support people in suicidal crisis.
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New dementia strategy for Scotland: Everyone's Story
The new Dementia Strategy for Scotland is a 10-year vision for change. This strategy was developed in collaboration with people with lived experience and our wider partners. It is the culmination of eight months of engagement with people across Scotland, focussed on how we improve delivery
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Bringing down the carbon footprint in the NHS
Delivering more environmentally sustainable care.
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Facemask guidance update
Return to pre-pandemic advice for health and social care.
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Change to health board escalation
NHS Lothian de-escalated to Stage 2.
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Health and social care - Planning with People: community engagement and participation guidance
This has been superseded by the May 2024 guidance.
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Tech partnership boosts health innovation
Linking business and clinical expertise.
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Tackling health inequalities
First Minister announces additional support for general practices in most deprived areas.
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Making the NHS more environmentally friendly
Anaesthetic gas removed from theatres.
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Change to health board escalation level
NHS Lothian moved to Stage 2 for paediatric audiology.
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Winter pressures on health and social care
Resilience committee holds further meeting.
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Boosting the social care workforce
Campaign aims to help fill vacant posts.
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Action to cut delayed discharge
National exercise to re-assess hospital patients who are clinically safe to be discharged.
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Additional Winter support for NHS
Measures to help NHS deal with extreme pressure.
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Health and social care pressures
FM chairs resilience and response meeting.
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Record £19 billion for Health and Social Care
Supporting fair pay and sustainable services
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Lung cancer services redesigned
£3 million investment for accelerated treatment.
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Health Board escalation
Additional support for NHS Forth Valley.
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Interim report shows value of Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services
Hundreds of patients receive earlier referral.
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Innovative health technology helping patients
More than 5,000 procedures performed.
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Planned care waiting times
Significant progress in clearing two year waits.
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Helping detect cancer earlier
Rapid Diagnostic Services to be established in a further two areas.
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Preparing the NHS for Winter
More than £600 million to support services.
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Number of hospital operations increases
More procedures carried out by NHS.
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Improving cancer waiting times
£10 million allocated to speed up cancer services.
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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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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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Early medical abortion at home
Minister confirms current arrangements will continue.
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Carrick Glen hospital bought by NHS Ayrshire & Arran
Facility to become new National Treatment Centre.
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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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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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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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Transparent face masks introduced to NHS Scotland
Help for people with communication needs.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Healthcare innovation
New technology to help NHS Boards meet demand.
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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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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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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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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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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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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.