By David Scott
11 March 2010
Changes to the management of NHS waiting lists in Scotland have made the system fairer for patients but more needs to be done to ensure it works effectively, Audit Scotland has found.
The watchdog, which carried out a study into the changes in the management of waiting lists, said the NHS was not accurately recording all relevant information.
This meant it was difficult to demonstrate that it was managing patients correctly in line with the updated guidance, New ways, which came into effect in January 2008.
However, Audit Scotland’s report, Managing NHS waiting lists: a review of new arrangements, published on March 4, commended the service for implementing what it described as the ‘complex new arrangements’.
These were designed to ensure patients were managed more consistently and to end ‘hidden waiting lists’, where patients would lose their guarantee of being treated within a certain period.
The watchdog said the NHS had broadly achieved the aims of the new system. But it added that the health service now needed ‘to do more to make it work as effectively as possible’ and to make patients understand the system and its implications.
According to the report, NHS boards varied in how they dealt with patients who did not or could not attend appointments.
Auditor general Bob Black said: ‘Waiting times are very important to patients and the new arrangements have improved the way the NHS manages waiting lists.
‘The NHS now needs to build on this to make sure that the new arrangements work well for everyone.’
11 March 2010
Changes to the management of NHS waiting lists in Scotland have made the system fairer for patients but more needs to be done to ensure it works effectively, Audit Scotland has found.
The watchdog, which carried out a study into the changes in the management of waiting lists, said the NHS was not accurately recording all relevant information.
This meant it was difficult to demonstrate that it was managing patients correctly in line with the updated guidance, New ways, which came into effect in January 2008.
However, Audit Scotland’s report, Managing NHS waiting lists: a review of new arrangements, published on March 4, commended the service for implementing what it described as the ‘complex new arrangements’.
These were designed to ensure patients were managed more consistently and to end ‘hidden waiting lists’, where patients would lose their guarantee of being treated within a certain period.
The watchdog said the NHS had broadly achieved the aims of the new system. But it added that the health service now needed ‘to do more to make it work as effectively as possible’ and to make patients understand the system and its implications.
According to the report, NHS boards varied in how they dealt with patients who did not or could not attend appointments.
Auditor general Bob Black said: ‘Waiting times are very important to patients and the new arrangements have improved the way the NHS manages waiting lists.
‘The NHS now needs to build on this to make sure that the new arrangements work well for everyone.’
