This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Patients to be given stronger voice
25/08/2003
A report designed to help give patients a stronger voice in the design and delivery of health services in their area, now and in the future, was published today.
Sustainable Patient Focus and Public Involvement will support NHS boards and partner organisations in involving patients at all levels of their decision making - from individual care planning to major service redesign.
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"This research report will support the Patient Focus and Public Involvement programme of work in NHSScotland. At the heart of my vision for a modern 21 st century health service, is a culture of care based on a partnership between patients, carers, staff, the voluntary sector and Government.
"It is essential that individuals are involved in all aspects of the design, planning and delivery of the services NHSScotland provides, from managing their care and improving their health service to deciding on priorities and supporting health improvement.
"None of this will happen without changing the way in which the service relates to people and embedding this into everyday practice.
"That is why we commissioned this research into the sustainability of Patient Focus and Public Involvement . It will help assist with this process and ensure that any changes made are sustainable in the longer term.
"It builds on current knowledge and understanding of how people are engaged in a wide range of policy processes at local and national level and is informed by some of the lessons learned from experience and good practice already evident in NHSScotland.
"I believe the models detailed in this research take us much closer to realising this goal and would urge everyone involved in the provision of health care in Scotland to consider its findings and apply them where appropriate.
"Only when patients, their carers and communities are engaged in every aspect of the work of NHSScotland will we have achieved our goal of developing a service which works in real partnership with the people of Scotland."
The report was developed by the Scottish Council Foundation on behalf of the Executive Health Department.
The policy document Patient Focus Public Involvement was published in December 2001 describing the main policy areas for involving people in decisions about their care and the development of the health service to meet local needs within four themes:
- building capacity and communication
- patient information
- involvement
- responsiveness