This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Targeted investment to reduce longest waits in NHS
17/06/2005
The drive to eliminate long waits for patients took
another huge step forward today.
Health Minister Andy Kerr announced targeted investment
of £20 million to further reduce waiting times.
He said: "I want an NHS which is quicker, closer and
safer. I've made it very clear - long waits are
unacceptable. This new investment will ensure that more
people get the treatment they need quicker than before.
"I want NHS Boards to continue to expand capacity within
the NHS as well as make significantly more use of
independent sector capacity to treat NHS patients. To
encourage this I have split the allocation of this funding
for each Board between the NHS and the independent
sector.
"In the latest waiting figures we can see strong
evidence of real progress being made which is making a real
difference for the people of Scotland - I want to ensure
this progress continues.
"But reducing the longest waits is not just about
statistics. It is about cutting the worry and stress for
people and their families who previously faced long waits
before diagnosis and treatment. This money will make a real
impact for patients.
"Scotland is turning the corner both in improving the
health of its people and the health services which serve
them.
"Legislation now before Parliament to lift the smoke
blanket from our pubs, clubs and workplaces, will give that
a huge boost. We are also seeing very good progress in
improving diet and uptake of physical activity and a range
of other actions.
"As the Chief Medical Officer has said, there are signs
we are now shedding our sick man of Europe tag. We owe it
to our children to focus on improving the nation's health
which, in turn, will rid Scotland of that particular
millstone."
The £10 million NHS investment is new funding for NHS
Boards. The £10 million for the independent sector is the
roll-out of part of the package announced by the Minister
in Fair to All Personal to Each in December 2004.
Full breakdown of investment:
BOARD AREA | Independent Sector Allocation£9,349,000 | NHS Allocation£10,649,000 | Total |
Argyll & Clyde | £864,400 | £866,000 | £1,730,400 |
Ayrshire & Arran | £770,000 | £772,000 | £1,542,000 |
Borders | £225,000 | £225,000 | £450,000 |
Dumfries &
Galloway | £323,600 | £326,000 | £649,600 |
Fife | £672,000 | £626,800 | £1,298,800 |
Forth Valley | £529,000 | £530,000 | £1,059,000 |
Grampian | £905,700 | £908,000 | £1,813,700 |
Greater Glasgow | £1,848,700 | £1,850,000 | £3,698,700 |
Highland | 0 | £926,000 | £926,000 |
Lanarkshire | £1,065,100 | £1,067,000 | £2,132,100 |
Lothian | £1,349,300 | £1,354,700 | £2,704,000 |
Orkney | 0 | £84,000 | £84,000 |
Shetland | 0 | £91,000 | £91,000 |
Tayside | £779,850 | £819,000 | £1,598,850 |
Western Isles | 0 | £159,000 | £159,000 |
TOTAL | £9,332,650 | £10,604,500 | £19,937,150 |
There are no independent sector hospitals in Highland,
Orkney, Shetland or the Western Isles.
The allocations have been made according to the
Arbuthnott formula for general funding of NHS boards.
There is a strong momentum now for modernising and
redesigning services to better serve the needs of patients.
Professor Kerr's report gives a framework for taking this
forward.