Progress too slow for Scottish health vision

Change is not happening quickly enough to deliver the Scottish Government’s vision for health and social care, financial watchdogs warned today. A report for the auditor general and Accounts Commission has blamed a lack of national leadership and clear planning for preventing the wider change needed to cope with increasing pressures. New legislation to integrate health and social care for adults is due to come into force next month and the report notes that new approaches and innovative practice are already happening in parts of Scotland. But it warns that new models are generally small-scale and says change is not taking place fast enough to meet the vision of enabling everyone to live longer, healthier lives at home or in a homely setting by 2020. BMA Scotland GPs committee chair Alan McDevitt, pictured, said the report, Changing Models of Health and Social Care, was another timely warning of the pressures on the health service. Speaking on the eve of the Scottish local medical committees conference, taking place today in Clydebank, he highlighted challenges including recruitment and retention of doctors, and financial difficulties.   Huge challenges Dr McDevitt said: ‘These huge challenges that the health service is facing means changes are needed, but those changes must be resourced adequately if they are to succeed. ‘That is particularly true in general practice, where we are working to negotiate a new contract that will allow GPs to be GPs &mdas...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news