Our NHS sets the standard for UK

THE Nuffield Trust last week assessed the performance of Scotland’s NHS over the last decade and gave it an overwhelmingly positive report card.

While the study identified some challenges – faced by all healthcare systems – they recommended that other UK nations should be learning from Scotland’s NHS. This positive assessment is a huge tribute to our dedicated health service staff.

In particular, the Nuffield Trust highlighted the way NHS Scotland seek to improve the quality and safety of care given to patients.

They also emphasised Scotland’s progress in integrating health and social care, as well as our “pioneering” work in providing healthcare to remote areas and tackling health inequalities.

They say our move to integrate health and social care is one of the most significant reforms made to the NHS in its history. Our NHS staff can be justifiably proud of their achievements.

Our Patient Safety Programme has led to fewer deaths, the lowest recorded levels of healthcareassociated infections and significant improvements in sepsis and surgical mortality – and it is a programme now admired and copied around the world.

We want to help the health service improve further. That’s why our ambitions for the NHS are founded on the twin approach of investment and reform, making changes needed for the future backed by record levels of investment and staffing.