Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 8 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01550 by Shona Robison on 9 August 2016, whether it would intervene in decisions that would change the centre's capacity for inpatient care and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.
It is right that all NHS boards keep services under review to ensure they remain safe, sustainable and of the highest quality. The planning and provision of local healthcare services are for NHS boards and their planning partners, in line with national policies, guidelines and frameworks.
The legal basis used to underpin the current authorisation regime and guidance on service change is founded in NHS boards’ statutory duties of participation, i.e. the public involvement duties given to them in the NHS Reform (Scotland) Act 2004. The Scottish Health Council (part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland) was established in statute to support and advise NHS boards’ practice and to quality assure the public involvement process.
Within this context, NHS boards adhere to national guidance (CEL (2010) 4) which can be accessed at: http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/CEL2010_04.pdf. This guidance details expectations around appropriate public engagement in potential service change. Such potential changes are designated either major or non-major. Cases designated as major must be informed by formal public consultation (usually no less than three months) and are ultimately subject to ministerial approval.