£4m extra funding to slash A&E waiting times

FUNDING of £4million has been announced for a fresh drive to cut NHS waiting times.

The Scottish Government investment will support initiatives to reform the way planned care services are managed such as virtual consultations carried out online or by telephone.

The aim is to stop patients having to travel unnecessarily for appointments and allow them better access to specialists across the country.

Health Secretary Shona Robison saw the ‘”access collaborative programme” in action on a visit to Glasgow Royal Infirmary’s virtual fracture clinic, where patients are able to have a telephone interview with a clinician about their X-ray results.

The clinic’s purpose is to reduce unnecessary treatment for simple debilitating injuries and improve access to specialist orthopaedic care.

Ms Robison said: “We’re committed to delivering the investment and reform necessary to ensure our NHS evolves to meet the changing needs of the people of Scotland.

“This new £4m programme will help deliver the infrastructure needed to do just that.

“Not only will patients receive a better all-round standard of treatment, but it will reduce the pressure felt on services and waiting times.”

Professor Derek Bell, chairman of the Academy of Royal Colleges, who will lead the programme, said it would “address the significant growing pressures in elective and diagnostic service, add value to health care and improve patient care”.