This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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NHS Lothian Annual Review
02/08/2005
Health Minister Andy Kerr will today visit the Male
Cancer Centre and the Minor Injuries Unit at the Western
General Hospital in Edinburgh ahead of the board's annual
review.
Both these Units were the first of their kind in
Scotland, and have been used as models of best practice by
other centres.
Mr Kerr said:
"I am delighted to have the opportunity to visit these
two major units at the Western General Hospital.
"The Male Cancer Centre has a key role to play in the
battle against the disease.
"Cancer survival rates for Scottish men lag behind
Scottish women. Huge progress has been made in raising the
profile of women's health issues and it is now time for men
to catch up.
"We need to end the taboo that prevents men discussing
their health and make it easier for them to get health
checks in locations where they feel most comfortable.
"Like the Male Cancer Centre, the Minor Injuries Unit is
an excellent example of putting patients' needs at the
heart of the health service.
"The Minor Injuries Unit has long been recognised as a
centre of excellence, delivering a valued service to the
people of Edinburgh. The model of care it offers has been
replicated, not just across Scotland, but throughout the
UK.
"NHS Lothian should be justifiably proud of these
services and the high quality care they deliver to the
people of Lothian."
Commenting on NHS Lothian'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, challenge where
necessary, and drive forward further improvement.
"I believe the NHS Lothian can build on its previous
success and further improve services and reduce waiting
times for patients in their area.
"I want to see an NHS which is better, quicker, closer
and safer. These reviews will help us deliver that."
The annual reviews will cover key areas such as:
activity and efficiency, waiting times, regional planning,
public involvement, finance and future plans.
The nurse led Minor Injuries Unit offers a fast,
efficient, local service for a large range of minor traumas
and eases the pressure on the main Accident and Emergency
Department. It opened in 1994 and since then annual
attendance has more than doubled to around 20,000.
The Male Cancer Centre was officially opened in October
2003 by First Minister Jack McConnell. The centre provides
comfortable surroundings for patients to access treatment,
information and advice, and there are two clinical nurse
specialists on hand to provide support.