The Scottish Consumer Council has been asked to investigate the difficulties
that patients face in accessing community-based health services, including pharmaceutical
services.
The Scottish health minister (Ms Susan Deacon) said recently: “For too
long, patients have been made to fit services. Now, we are working to ensure
that services fit the needs of patients. Having access to a general medical
practitioner or a community nurse, pharmacist, or other community-based service,
is key.”
The research is to be directed by a 10-member advisory group drawn from the
health service and from community and patient interest groups.
About 25 focus groups are expected to be formed to concentrate on specific areas,
such as the needs of ethnic minorities, patients with mental health problems
and disability issues.
The main questions to be posed by the researchers will be: what services are
available; are those services in the right place; is best use being made of
all routes into services, including optimal use of professional groups; and
can better use be made of telephone an online access?