The Scottish Government

Patient centred

Providing care that is responsive to individual patient preferences, needs and values and assuring that patient values guide all clinical decisions

Safe

Avoiding injury to patients from care that is intended to help them

Effective

Providing services based on scientific knowledge

Efficient

Avoiding waste, including waste of equipment, supplies, ideas and energy

Equitable

Providing care that does not vary in quality because of personal characteristics such as gender, ethnicity, geographic location or socio-economic status

Timely

Reducing waits and sometimes harmful delays for both those who receive care and those who give care