This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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NHS Orkney Annual Review
03/08/2005
Health Minister Andy Kerr today visited the x-ray and ultrasound department at the Balfour Hospital in Kirkwall ahead of the Board's Annural Review.
The radiographer led department opened in February 2001, replacing a smaller department with dated facilities.
It offers a 24 hour service and sees around 8,000 patients a year. X-ray and ultrasound examinations can be requested by GPs, hospital doctors and visiting consultants.
Urgent examinations are carried out straight away with routine referrals being seen within three weeks.
Mr Kerr said:
"This department is an excellent example of the role new technology is playing in the day to day delivery of health care.
"The Kerr Group highlighted the importance of new technology in providing safe, sustainable services in rural communities.
"I am delighted to see for myself how x-rays taken at the Balfour Hospital are stored on computer and networked to a dedicated workstation in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, dramatically reducing the time that referring clinicians have to wait for results."
Commenting on NHS Orkney's Annual 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 Orkney 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.