A School of Primary Care has been launched in Scotland with the aim of developing research-based evidence that can be used to improve primary health care services. Currently, the school is in a two-year foundation stage and is based at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Edinburgh.
In a statement announcing the launch of the school on June 2, its foundation director (Dr Sally Wyke) said: "The work of the school will be led by principles important to the National Health Service in Scotland. This means doing research that will lead to better health, greater ease of use, more equitable services, lower cost and higher quality for both patients and the NHS."
When it begins work properly, in January, 2002, the school will be expected to link and build upon the activity of all those involved in community health care research in Scotland. It will receive £1.2m from the Scottish Chief Scientist Office and the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council.
In the mean time, the school is being funded by the Chief Scientist Office, the Scottish Executive Health Department's primary care division and the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education. It has the support of professional colleges and societies for each of the main primary care professions.
The Scottish Health Minister (Ms Susan Deacon) said: "Community health care is at the heart of the NHS in Scotland. Eighty-six per cent of all health care takes place in general medical practitioner surgeries, community health clinics and people's homes. Our frontline community health services are key to achieving better health for all Scots. An effective Health Service is not one which just gets better at treating more ill people in hospital, but gets better at helping people stay out of hospital."
She added: "GPs, dentists, pharmacists and nurses have a crucial role in promoting good health and giving the best available care when people are ill. We need the best possible research to support them in that task."