Question reference: S5W-01336
- Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 8 July 2016
-
Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 29 July 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to reduce the number of (a) territorial and (b) special NHS boards and, if so, (i) by how many and (ii) how.
Answer
This Government is committed to reviewing the number, structure and regulation of both territorial and special health boards and their relationships with local councils. The detail of this work has yet to be finalised but will be subject to engagement with Parliament and broader consultation.
We need to create an NHS Board structure that reflects the new health and social care landscape and which better supports the provision of excellent hospital and specialist care for Scotland’s population. That means a structure that will lead NHSScotland forward while ensuring the focus is on patients rather than on structures and bureaucracy and which maximises the opportunities for a ‘Once for Scotland’ where that creates efficiencies and reduces duplication.