This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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NHS publish tariff for hospital operations
31/03/2006
The first full list of tariff prices for hospital operations was published today by NHS Scotland.
Health Minister Andy Kerr said improved efficiency and better financial management are just two of the benefits expected to flow from the introduction of a Scottish National Tariff. which shows the average cost of most surgical procedures across Scotland's hospitals.
"We are determined to improve efficiency and drive down costs across the health service. Establishing a system of tariffs will mean taxpayers money is spent in a fair and transparent manner.
"Our tariff system will benchmark the cost of services, so that cost differences will be apparent between Boards and so that it can be used in cross-boundary flows of patients. This will encourage Boards to deliver services more efficiently, freeing up more funds for front-line services.
"At the moment however, it is difficult for the Boards to compare the costs of treatment, and there is little incentive for Boards with that spare capacity to be able to offer treatment more efficiently.
"We need to know about where a hospital's costs are high or low for operations so they can make improvements."
The use of National Tariff prices will be introduced in planned stages over three years allowing the Executive and health boards to monitor the impact of the Tariff and to change working practice accordingly.
The list of tariff prices will be updated annually, following publication of the Scottish Cost Book data and English reference costs.