Scottish Government wants flexible access in primary care
Primary care service providers in Scotland will have to adopt a more flexible approach, if the new Government's policy intentions are implemented.
“I am keen to develop a more flexible health service. In the 21st
century, people have a right to a user-friendly health service that is
there when
they need it,” Nicola Sturgeon, Cabinet Secretary for Health and
Wellbeing, told the Scottish Parliament’s Health
and Sport Committee last week.
Part of developing a more flexible approach will involve opening discussions
with GPs, she said. “However, it is not all about GPs, and it is
certainly not about GPs working more, although it might be about them
working more flexibly,” she said. “Pharmacists and other
allied health professionals also have a big part to play, and I will
look to ensure that we take a broadly holistic view as we go forward.
I am personally very committed to that agenda.”
During a parliamentary
debate the following day, Ms Sturgeon promised
to tackle health inequalities. Initially, this will involve forming a
task force to find out how inequalities have been tackled in other countries. “And
I intend to invite health ministers from across the UK and Europe to
a Scottish summit on health inequalities early in the new year so that
we can share best practice and learn from each other,” she added.
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