Primary care services
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NHS Scotland: support and intervention framework
The NHS Scotland support and intervention framework is one of the key elements of our evidence-based approach to monitoring performance and managing risk across the NHS in Scotland.
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Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration - 2025-2026 pay round: Scottish Government's written evidence
The Scottish Government's remit letter and written evidence document for the 2025 to 2026 pay round, submitted to the Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB) review body for their consideration.
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Transforming Roles paper 6: role of the general practice nurse 2025
This refreshed paper sets out the changing role of the General Practice Nurse, to support the future workforce and reflect changes in health and social care policy. This paper is part of a wider review of the Transforming Roles Programme.
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Transforming Roles paper 6: role of the general practice nurse – 2024: equality impact assessment
Equality impact assessment results document for Transforming Roles Paper 6: Role of the General Practice Nurse - 2024.
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Specialist, Specialty and Associate Specialist Doctors accept pay offer
£7.2 million investment in 2024-25 pay.
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Protecting, strengthening and renewing the NHS
First Minister sets out major increase in NHS capacity.
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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 - 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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Mental health and wellbeing in primary care services: resources
This resource has been developed to support staff working in general practice. It is intended to help all staff contribute to the link worker function within the Services, by providing a directory of additional sources of help and support, that people can be connected in with.
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Mental health in primary and community care: report - December 2024
This report outlines actions to improve access to support, assessment and treatment in primary care mental health and wellbeing services. This includes support from general practice, digital provision, NHS 24, workforce education and out of hours.
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General Practitioner recruitment and retention: action plan 2024 - 2026
This plan sets out 20 measures to improve GP recruitment and retention in Scotland. Progress will be reviewed annually as we continue to improve the data available on the GP workforce.
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GP Retention Working Group: report and recommendations
Improving GP retention – recommendations from the GP Retention Working Group sets out key actions we will take to improve GP recruitment and retention in Scotland.
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Additional investment in general practice
Funding to help practices retain and recruit key staff.
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Inclusion health action in general practice: equality impact assessment
The equality impact assessment for the inclusion health action in general practice project.
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Transport to health: delivery plan
Sets out our planned commitments to improve transport to health and social care, through cross-portfolio action to bring transport planning and health planning together.
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Gender identity healthcare
Update on work to improve services.
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Realistic Medicine - Taking Care: Chief Medical Officer for Scotland annual report 2023 to 2024
This is the Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Gregor Smith's fourth annual report, and the eighth report on Realistic Medicine. The overarching aim of Realistic Medicine is to deliver better value care for patients, and for our health and care system.
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Improving cancer care
Funding for projects to benefit patients and clinical staff.
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Quality prescribing for antidepressants: guide for improvement 2024 to 2027
Antidepressant prescribing continues to increase in Scotland with one in five adults receiving one or more antidepressant prescriptions in a year. This guide aims to further improve the care of individuals receiving antidepressant medication and promote a holistic approach to person-centred care.
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£30 million to reduce waiting times
Targeted action to tackle longest waits.
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Supporting Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities
£1 million to help tackle health inequalities.
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Supporting people with high blood pressure
Digital hypertension platform hits 100,000 users.
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Health and Care Experience Survey 2023/24 Technical Report
This report contains information about the methodology and background of the 2023/24 Health and Care Experience Survey.
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Health and Care Experience Survey 2023/24: National Results
This report shows the results of the Health and Care Experience Survey 2023/24. The survey asked about peoples’ experiences of accessing and using their General Practice and other local healthcare services; receiving care, support and help with everyday living; and caring responsibilities.
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Aithris Bhliadhnail air Plana Nàiseanta nan Eilean 2023
Gaelic version of the National Islands Plan annual report 2023
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Community Glaucoma Service (CGS): island communities impact assessment
The CGS is a new national enhanced service enabling Hospital Eye Services to discharge lower risk glaucoma and treated ocular hypertension patients to be registered with accredited community optometrists. This island communities impact assessment (ICIA) assesses the impact of the policy on island communities.
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Lèirmheas air Plana Nàiseanta nan Eilean: Anailis air a' Cho-chomhairle
Gaelic version of a report setting out the main findings of the public consultation carried out to inform a review of the National Islands Plan 2019.
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Respiratory conditions - quality prescribing strategy: improvement guide 2024 to 2027
Respiratory conditions are a major contributor to ill health, disability, and premature death – the most common conditions being asthma and COPD. This quality prescribing guide is designed to ensure people with respiratory conditions are at the centre of their treatment.
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Record number of junior doctors take up posts
Scotland excels in medical education and training.
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Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - quality prescribing strategy: improvement guide 2024 to 2027
This quality prescribing guide is intended to support clinicians across the multidisciplinary team and people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in shared decision-making and the effective use of medicines, and offers practical advice and options for tailoring care to the needs and preferences of individuals.
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Primary care - mental health and wellbeing: outcomes and measures
The outcomes and measures framework provides an outline of outcomes, measures and indicators to demonstrate the system and people benefits associated with mental health in primary care provision.
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NHS recovery plan: progress report 2023
An annual report for 2023 setting out progress on the NHS Recovery Plan 2021to 2026.
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Mapping Of Professional Qualification Routes and Continuous Professional Learning Opportunities relating to Psychological Trauma, in the Children and Families Workforce
Commissioned as part of the National Trauma Transformation Programme, this research aimed to map the learner journeys of five sectors of the Children and Families workforce including School Nursing, Health Visiting, Children and Families Social Work, Residential Childcare and Secure Care.
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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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General Practice Access Short Life Working Group: access principles
High level core access principles to support and enhance people’s experience of accessing ‘The Right Care, Right Time, Right Place’.
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General Practice Access Short Life Working Group: access principles - easy read
Easy read version of the General Practice access principles paper.
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Health and social care: winter preparedness plan 2023-2024
This winter plan represents a whole system approach to responding to a surge in demand for health and social care services and sets out the actions to help relieve pressure points across the system. The measures outlined are applicable throughout the year when we may face increased pressures.
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Becoming a skilled worker visa sponsor: guide for GP practices
Guidance designed for General Practices in Scotland looking to becoming host visa sponsors to support International Medical Graduates working in Scotland.
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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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Enhancing rural healthcare
New National Centre to support rural and island communities.
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Quality prescribing for respiratory illness 2024 to 2027 - draft guidance: consultation
We are consulting on this draft guide which aims to optimise treatment outcomes in the management of respiratory illness. Produced by Scottish Government, NHS Scotland and Experts by Experience, it builds on the 2018 to 2021 strategy. It promotes person-centred care, the 7-Steps process for medicine reviews and shared decision-making.
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Independent Review of Audiology Services
Report into hearing care and treatment published.
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Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland
Review report and recommendations from the Independent Review of Audiology Services in NHS Scotland. The Review was announced by the Scottish Government in January 2022 in the context of failings in the standards of care provided in the NHS Lothian Paediatrics Services.
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Increased fees for NHS dentists
Improved payment system to expand services.
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Primary care improvement plans - implementation progress summary: March 2023
This publication provides a summary of the current progress towards implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Scottish Government, the SGPC, Integration Authorities and NHS Boards.
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Discovering meaning, purpose and hope through person centred wellbeing and spiritual care: framework
The framework reflects the considerable developments resulting from the increased professionalism in spiritual care over the last twenty years. It firmly establishes the role of spiritual care as an integral part of health and social care provision.
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Realistic Medicine - Doing the right thing: Chief Medical Officer annual report 2022 to 2023
Chief Medical Officer's (CMO) third annual report, and the seventh on Realistic Medicine. It reflects on the challenges our system is facing and asks professionals to practise Realistic Medicine, in order to deliver value based health and care and a more sustainable system.
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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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Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership - A fresh start
This publication sets out the First Minister’s vision for Scotland and the outcomes he and his government aim to achieve by 2026.
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Launch of NHS Community Glaucoma Service
Treatment offered closer to patient's home.
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Improved patient care and safety
Scotland, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland joint pharmacy project.
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Dementia strategy - national conversation: what people told us
High-level summary of the collective written and oral evidence we received on our national conversation to information a new dementia strategy. It outlines the range of responses received, as well as the evidence-based rigour we brought to this analysis through using thematic analysis techniques.
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Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME-CFS): good practice statement
Guidance to support the diagnosis and management of ME/CFS in primary care. This was originally published in 2010 and we have partially updated it to insert key recommendations from the NICE Guideline on ME/CFS published in October 2021.
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Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill: scoping work analysis 2022 - easy read
Easy read version of a report summarising the findings of the Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill pre-consultation exercise.
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Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill: scoping analysis 2022
This report summarises the findings of the Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill pre-consultation exercise. It is an analysis of 30 workshops carried by Scottish Government and its partners with people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
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Health and social care: data strategy
Scotland’s first data strategy for health and social care, setting out how we will work together in transforming the way that people access their own data to improve health and wellbeing; and how care is delivered through improvements to our systems.
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Health and social care: data strategy - executive summary
Executive summary of the data strategy for health and social care.
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Ending HIV transmission in Scotland by 2030
The HIV transmission elimination proposal has been developed by Professor Rak Nandwani and an expert group made up of clinicians, academia and third sector partners. The proposal contains 22 recommendations to ensure progress is made to meet our goal of zero transmissions in Scotland by 2030.
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Acute Oncology Service (AOS) in NHS Scotland: principles
Lays out the agreed key principles that underpin an effective Acute Oncology Service (AOS) in NHS Scotland and outlines the clinical standards and proposed outcome measures against which services can be developed and monitored.
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Health and social care - data strategy: consultation analysis
An independent analysis of the responses to our public consultation to inform the development of Scotland’s first data strategy for health and social care, due for publication in early 2023.
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Care in the Digital Age: delivery plan 2022 to 2023
The national delivery plan describes activities supporting Health Boards, HSCPs, local authorities, primary care, social care, social work, and care providers to offer new or improved services, whether through improved systems and infrastructure, or access to digital services.
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Video consultation scheme for patients rolled out to community hubs
Up to 40,000 consultations taking place every month.
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Healthcare awareness campaign launched
Latest step in £600 million winter resilience plan.
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Health and social care strategy for older people: consultation analysis
An analysis report of the responses received to the consultation on a health and social care strategy for older people held in 2022.
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Planned care waiting times
Significant progress in clearing two year waits.
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Charter of patient rights and responsibilities - revised: June 2022
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.
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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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Hospital at Home
£3.6 million to expand services.
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Health and Care Experience Survey 2021 to 2022: technical report
This report provides information on the technical aspects of the 2021/22 Health and Care Experience Survey, including development, implementation, analysis and reporting.
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Health and Care Experience Survey 2021 to 2022: national results
The Health and Care Experience Survey asks about people’s experiences of accessing and using their GP practice and Out of Hours services, aspects of care and support provided by local authorities and other organisations; and caring responsibilities and related support.
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Support for Ukrainians in Scotland
Access to healthcare and social security benefits.
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Primary Care Health Inequalities Short-Life Working Group: report
This report identifies recommendations to maximise primary care’s significant potential to tackle health inequalities and inequity across Scotland’s communities. The accompanying “Chance to Change Scotland” report also provides lived experience perspectives on the issues addressed in this report.
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Those with COVID-19 symptoms to contact their GP
Return to pre-pandemic procedures.
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Apprenticeships key to supporting NHS
Delivering quality workforce.
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Dental services for all
Revised arrangements will reward dentists for seeing more NHS patients.
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More funding to improve patient services
£82.6m to help deal with winter pressures on GP practices.
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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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Increasing mental health support in GP practices
Funding to reach £40 million a year.
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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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Supporting women’s health
Temporary contraception available from pharmacies.
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Expanding primary care
£7 million to improve and grow the primary care estate.
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Pharmacies ensuring swift patient care
More than 2 million consultations with NHS Pharmacy First.
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Removal of NHS dental charges for all young people
£7.5 million to support dental sector.
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Emergency response to drug overdose
Ambulance clinicians issue life-saving kits.
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Free NHS dental care for young people
600,000 people to benefit from extension of free care.
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Remobilising NHS dentists
£5 million to help meet safety standards and see more patients.
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Advanced nursing practice - transforming nursing roles: phase two
Follow-up paper to the Transforming Roles paper on Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP) published in December 2017.
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The NHS Medicines: Care and Review service at your local pharmacy
The NHS Medicines: Care and Review is an NHS service in community pharmacies to provide support to people who have a long-term condition and help get the best from their medicines.
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Early medical abortion at home
Consultation on future arrangements.
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Support for video appointments
Digital consultations helping people get the right care in the right place.
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Community optometrists to support eye care services
Help for those with sight-threatening conditions.
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Expansion of services in NHS dental practices
Procedures to be re-introduced.
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Right Care, Right Place
NHS Pharmacy First Scotland offers expert help in the community.
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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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Remobilisation of NHS Dental services
Urgent care to be made widely available.
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Uptake in those with urgent health concerns using NHS
Research shows Scots now more likely to go to hospital or GP with non COVID-19 symptoms.
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Emergency eye care provision
New centres to reduce the need to attend hospital.
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Urgent medical help still available
New campaign urges people to contact a doctor.
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Transport community to help COVID-19 efforts
Plans to help people attend medical appointments.
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GP practices and pharmacies open for Easter
Extended opening hours to ensure services available.
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Funding for community pharmacies
£5.5m to ease coronavirus pressures.
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Support for GP practices
Extra help with coronavirus pressures.
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Enhanced role for community pharmacists
Pharmacists empowered to help more patients during COVID-19 outbreak.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) – update following resilience meetings
Update on position in Scotland following first positive case.
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Testing arrangements expanded for coronavirus
‘Drive through’ testing introduced for NHS Lothian.
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Preparations for coronavirus stepped up
Scotland prepared for coronavirus outbreak.
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Coronavirus travel advice updated
New guidance for travellers returning from overseas.
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Coronavirus becomes notifiable disease in Scotland
Public Health regulations updated.
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Novel coronavirus testing
Two Scottish facilities established.
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Supporting rural GPs
Health Secretary accepts recommendations.
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Attracting more people into frontline healthcare
Rise in number of people training to be GPs.
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Undergraduate medical education: recommendations
A series of recommendations to increase undergraduate medical education in Scotland by enabling more general practice based teaching in primary care.
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Growing the next generation of GPs
New investment for training medical students.
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Funding for improvements to GP practices
£9.34 million to upgrade premises and IT systems.
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Update on flu programme
Efforts to minimise any delays to children’s flu vaccination.
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More posts for trainee doctors
Funding for Foundation Training.
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Improvements in child dental health
Reduction in fillings and teeth extraction.
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Improving Access to Healthcare
Information cards provide support for new patients.
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Health Secretary welcomes cystic fibrosis drug pricing agreement
Scottish Government discussions secure medicines for NHS Scotland.
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GP contract and remote and rural general practice: shared principles and approach
Joint statement from the SG and the BMA to reflect concerns raised at the rural group meeting in June 2019.
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Rise in medical trainee recruitment
Fill rates are up 4% on last year.
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Protecting frontline health services
Scottish Government to meet cost of NHS employer pension changes.
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Home blood pressure monitoring
Investment in new technology.
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Expansion of free personal care
Free personal care to be extended to people of all ages who are assessed as requiring it.
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£50m support for GP practices
Help to make general practice more attractive.
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Oral health improvement plan
This document sets out the future of oral health improvement and NHS dental services in Scotland.
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National Code of Practice for GP premises
This Code of Practice sets out the Scottish Government’s plan to facilitate the shift to a model which does not entail GPs providing their practice premises.
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Delivering the new GMS contract in Scotland: memorandum of understanding
Statement of intent and memorandum of understanding between Scottish Government, British Medical Association, Integration Authorities and NHS Board.
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Community eyecare services: review
Report on how eyecare services are currently delivered, with recommended actions which will lead to improvements to meet patients' needs.
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Improving Together: A National Framework for Quality and GP Clusters in Scotland
Complements the development of the Scottish national GP contract.
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