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The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 271 No 7256 p6
5 July 2003

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NHS Reform (Scotland) Bill (PDF 80K)

Scottish NHS Bill set out

Proposed legislation to restructure the health service in Scotland was announced last week.

The National Health Service Reform (Scotland) Bill was put forward in the Scottish Parliament by health minister Malcolm Chisholm. The objectives of the Bill are to:

• Abolish NHS trusts

• Force the newer health boards to involve the public in planning, developing and operating the NHS

• Establish new community health partnerships, evolving from local health care co-operatives (LHCCs)

• Set up a new Scottish Health Council to monitor the performance of health boards

"The Bill will remove all references to NHS trusts from the statute book. This will mark the end of the process of dissolving trusts, a process that has taken us towards a more efficient health service that can respond to local needs," said Mr Chisholm.

The Bill takes forward proposals in the White Paper "Partnership for care". Further information about the Bill can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk.

ABPI Scotland The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry in Scotland wants to establish a long-term relationship with NHS Scotland. Speaking at the ABPI Scotland NHS Health Forum on 27 June, deputy director general Andrew Curl said that member companies were not merely interested in short-term profits. This was in line with the governing ethos of NHS Scotland that a modern dependable NHS should be built on effective joint working. There was a common understanding between NHS Scotland and the industry about the need for responsibility, transparency and probity. The fear of being "contaminated" by contact with the industry was totally unfounded, said Mr Curl. A number of joint industry groups were already functioning effectively including those dedicated to cancer, diabetes, mental health and osteoporosis.
— Contributed.

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