This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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NHS Shetland annual review
27/06/2005
A new health centre was officially opened in Shetland
today following the local NHS Board's annual review.
The new health centre is a modern, purpose built
building that allows for multi-disciplinary working between
the GPs, dental staff and the nursing team who are all
located at the Centre.
Health Minister Andy Kerr opened the Brae Health Centre
after chairing the NHS Shetland review, which covered key
areas such as: activity and efficiency, waiting times,
regional planning, public involvement, finance and future
plans.
Mr Kerr said:
"This is a fantastic new health centre that has been
delivered by NHS Shetland.
"I know that the Board has worked very closely with
patients and the local Community Council, to ensure it
meets their needs.
"The new centre is much larger that the previous one and
as a result offers more dispensing of medicine to patients
when they visit the doctor, rather than collecting medicine
from the pharmacy at a later stage. It also gives improved
car parking and more accommodation for community nursing
staff and student nurses working at this teaching
practice.
"The modern building also provides a pleasant working
environment for staff and allows for the use of
telemedicine and video conferencing, benefiting both
patients and the training of staff.
"I am pleased to see that the Practice will increase the
amount of minor surgery that is performed and will develop
chronic disease management clinics which will deliver more
effective patient care.
"This innovative practice offers multi-disciplinary
working between GPs, nurses, physiotherapists, podiatrists,
psychiatrists and dentists who are all located at the
centre. This style of working is ideal for a remote setting
like Shetland and I understand this will be improved and
expanded. In particular, dental services will be
enhanced.
"The new dental surgeries are equipped to the highest
standard and it is now a training practice, which should
encourage newly qualified dentists to practice there. The
creation of an additional senior salaried dental officer
has also improved access to NHS dental services even
further.
"Everyone involved in the project should be very proud
of this modern building that now offers improved services
for the people of Shetland."
Commenting on NHS Shetland's review, Mr Kerr said:
"The annual reviews will highlight success and give
credit where credit is due. But I also want to use these
reviews to scrutinise local performance and drive forward
further improvement.
"I believe that NHS Shetland can build on its previous
success and further improve the services that they
offer.
"I want to see an NHS which is better, quicker, closer
and safer. These reviews will help us deliver that."
While in Shetland, Mr Kerr also met Shetland athletes,
who are taking part in the Natwest Island Games from the 9
to 15 July, at the Clickimin Leisure Centre in Lerwick.