eHealth Strategy 2008 – 2011 launched

The eHealth Strategy for 2008 – 2011 was formally launched by Nicola Sturgeon at this year’s NHS Scotland Event. The vision for eHealth supports the goals as set out in the Better Health Better Care Action Plan. This is about exploiting the power of electronic information to help ensure that patients get the right care, involving the right clinicians, at the right time, to deliver the right outcomes. It is therefore as much about transforming traditional processes as it is about technology. Ms Sturgeon said: “Building for the future means an investment in new technology. Our eHealth Strategy demonstrates how we intend to harness the opportunities of new technology to enhance patient care. “Over the next three years this will allow us to build the platform for an electronic patient record that will support the patient and improve their experience of care throughout their healthcare journey.” Download the Strategy here eHealth Strategy 2008 Further information will be published in a range of more detailed papers, including a Technical Plan, a Programme Plan and a Finance Strategy, in the coming months.

National Drugs Strategy On 29 May 2008 the Scottish Government published its new national drugs strategy 'The Road to Recovery: A New Approach to Tackling Scotland's Drug Problem'. The strategy - the first in almost a decade - is based on consensus and evidence, including a number of expert reports. Central to the strategy is the principle of recovery. Recovery means that, more than just reducing risk and harm, services should help people to move on, towards a drug-free life, as active and contributing members of society. Other key priorities of the strategy are better prevention of drug use, with improved life chances for children and young people; communities that are safer and stronger places to live and work; ensuring children affected by parental substance misuse are safer; and improving the effectiveness of delivery.

Military & Civilian Health Partnership Awards 2008 The search is on. We are looking for the people, projects and initiatives from the NHS, Defence Medical Services, private and voluntary sectors that provide our serving and former military personnel with the very best healthcare and health service. Now is the time to recognise them. The Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards are new awards for 2008 which aim to recognise the partnership between members of the Defence Medical Services and civilian healthcare professionals, providing care for service personnel, veterans and their dependents. For more information and to nominate yourself or your team, visit www.dmsd.mod.uk or call the Awards Helpline on 020 7807 8125

Happy 60th Birthday NHSScotland The 60th anniversary of the NHS falls on 5 July 2008 and a number of activities will be held during the year for staff and the public to mark this important milestone. We’re gathering stories, anecdotes and photos from the last 60 years of NHSScotland and are looking for NHS staff to tell us how their role has changed over the years and share their memories of working for NHSScotland. We will publish selected contributions. Please forward your contributions to hdcommunications@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or telephone 0131 244 5075.

18 Weeks Referral to Treatment (RTT) is an ambitious programme setting new standards in the quality of care provided by NHSScotland. From December 2011 the new standard will be in place and 18 weeks will become the maximum wait from referral to treatment.

Better Health, Better Care sets out a clear vision for the NHS in Scotland. It outlines the actions we will take to improve health, tackle health inequalities and enhance the quality of our healthcare services.

Evolving Practice contains real-life examples of Scotland's commitment to improving health services through involving patients and the public.

The Scottish Centre for Telehealth provides a centre of expertise to define and disseminate best practice and develop inter-operable standards, protocols and processes to support telehealth solutions.

Fair For All - Gender is helping to support the NHS in Scotland to mainstream gender equality considerations into planning and delivery and  ensure the health service meets its obligations under the  new public sector Gender Equality Duty, which comes into place on 6th April 2007. (see news release of 16 Feb )

Making choices Keeping safe
is an inter-agency document outlining policy and practice guidelines on relationships and sexual wellbeing when working with people with learning disabilities in Lothian.

Health-EU Portal The European Commission has recently launched the EU public health portal as a single point of reference for reliable and easily accessible information on a wide range of health-related topics for citizens, patients, health professionals, stakeholders and policy-makers.

Not just a hotel and conference centre…
Keeping it in the family! The first NHS-owned hotel and conference centre – the Beardmore - is formalising its status as the public sector venue of choice, giving colleagues value for money for business and pleasure.

The Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre, part of the NHS National Waiting Times Centre, has introduced special rates for NHS colleagues booking bedrooms or conferences, for business or for leisure (subject to availability).

And the news is getting better. We are also introducing a range of new facilities to give you more choice when planning your event, including:

• video conferencing
• electronic polling equipment
• informal meeting area
• new conference room with increased cabaret capacity.

To receive a brochure, book, or get in touch with our award-winning Events team, call 0141 951 6000, email info@beardmore.scot.nhs.uk or visit www.thebeardmore.com .

National Hand Hygiene Campaign
On 15th January a national hand hygiene campaign will be launched across Scotland aimed at reducing avoidable illness amongst staff, patients and the general public. It will consist of two major elements;

• a public media campaign, involving Press and TV adverts which will run until the end of February 2007 and,
• a specific NHS Campaign to raise awareness of Hand Hygiene within NHS Healthcare settings, targeting NHS Scotland staff, patients and visitors. This campaign will continue until at least March 2008
  

As well as the TV and press campaign, a website has also been developed which provides further information on Hand Hygiene as well as useful links to other websites. This website will evolve over the course of the next year and will be used by both members of the public and NHS Staff. The address is  www.washyourhandsofthem.com  

Paediatric Telemedicine
The Paediatric Telemedicine project was set up to provide rapid diagnosis of children with cardiac or surgical problems at a distant centre. With funding from the Scottish Government Health Directorate's mobile video conferencing units were installed in 10 sites throughout Scotland along with a video conferencing room at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow. The final project report details the success in meeting the initial project objectives and examines the variety of other uses made of the service. These include the use of telemedicine to support Child Psychiatry, the broadcast of education meetings, clinical networks, multi-disciplinary case conferences, out-patient appointments and 'Babycam'.

Diversity Matters the new e-newsletter.
Promoting diversity in the NHS is a key element of the Scottish Government’s drive towards a fairer, socially just and inclusive Scotland. Diversity Matters aims to keep you updated on the many initiatives, developments and events focusing on diversity in NHS Scotland. Subscribing to this newsletter will enable you to have a more in depth look at diversity issues relating to service delivery and employment and will ensure that you are signposted to the relevant sources of guidance and support.