The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7379 p714
10 December 2005

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News summary

NHS Scotland is improving, but financial problems remain

Scotland's health service is improving but still faces financial challenges, according to a report published this week by Audit Scotland (PDF 2.4MB).

The report concludes that better clinical outcomes are being achieved, particularly in cancer, stroke and heart disease. Death rates in these areas are falling and Audit Scotland predicts that the 15-year targets set by the Scottish Executive in 1995 will be met. These were to reduce deaths in people aged under 75 years from cancer by 20 per cent, from coronary heart disease by 50 per cent and from stroke by 50 per cent.

Financial concerns raised in the report result from NHS structural reform and new pay agreements for health professionals.