Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)

Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

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Question reference: S6W-42411

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 05 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 16 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S6W-41875, S6W-41876, S6W-41877, S6W-41879, S6W-41880, S6W-41882 and S6W-41884 by Neil Gray on 1 December 2025, what information it currently collects from NHS boards on patients who travel outwith their home board area to receive secondary or tertiary care, and whether it plans to introduce standardised national reporting on (a) patient numbers, (b) travel, accommodation and subsistence costs, (c) the use of remote consultation alternatives such as Near Me and (d) funded patient escorts, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

The Scottish Government does not collect patient data directly. It is for Public Health Scotland (PHS) to collect outpatient, inpatient and day case activity data from hospital administrative systems.

PHS publishes official statistics on cross boundary flow quarterly within its Stage of Treatment Waiting Times publications. This includes inpatient, day case, and new outpatient data. The most recent publication that includes cross boundary flow data can be accessed here: Stage of treatment waiting times - Inpatients, day cases and new outpatients 28 October 2025 - NHS waiting times - stage of treatment - Publications - Public Health Scotland.

PHS’s annual Acute Hospital Activity and NHS Beds Information report includes information on cross boundary flow. The latest publication covers the period between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 and can be found here: Acute Hospital Activity and NHS Beds Information (Annual) - Publications - Public Health Scotland.

Costs associated with patient travel, accommodation, subsistence and funded patient escorts are managed locally by individual NHS boards and are funded from their respective budgets. The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally and there is currently no intention to standardise national reporting on these measures.

Similarly, there are no current plans to nationalise reporting on the use of remote consultation platforms, including Near Me.

The Scottish Government’s approach reflects the principle of local accountability for service delivery and associated costs. NHS boards are responsible for managing patient transfers and related expenses within their allocated budgets. National reporting is focused on treatment activity and waiting times, which are published by PHS to ensure transparency and consistency.

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Question reference: S6W-42411

Answer