New hospital flow plan will see more patients treated at home
More people could receive healthcare "in their homes and in their communities” under new NHS plans published by the Scottish Government this week.
The Health and Care Improving Flow Plan aims to make it easier and quicker for people to access the care they need to live healthier, more independent and fulfilling lives.
The plans to improve the flow of patients through hospitals were announced by Health Secretary Angela Constance on a visit to Forth Valley Royal Hospital on Monday.
The new plan promises that those suffering from a “life-threatening emergency”, or who require “highly specialised acute care” will be treated in hospital.
But it also makes clear that patients being treated in corridors or having long waits in A&E is “unacceptable and should be eradicated”.
Ms Constance said: “At its heart, improving hospital flow is not about targets, processes or organisational structures. It is about people and ensuring they can access the care they need, when and where they need it.
“Our plan will help people access more care at their fingertips, in their homes and in their communities and these reforms are designed to support them to live healthier, more independent lives.
“While more care will be offered closer to home, via pharmacies, community-based hubs such as GP walk-in services and healthy heart and lung checks, some people may need to travel further to receive the most highly specialised care.
“Where people are experiencing a life-threatening emergency or requiring acute care, they will continue to be cared for in a hospital setting that prioritises dignity, privacy and experience.
“We are asking people to take an active role in maintaining their health and wellbeing and to use services appropriately, only calling 999 in emergency situations where they feel they have to go to A&E and dialling 111 for non-emergencies.
“We will continue to evaluate how this Plan is being implemented. Where services are performing well, we’ll support learning by spreading good practice. Where it falls short, we will provide support and, if necessary, take decisive action to improve outcomes for patients and communities.”
The plan sets out an “enhanced urgent care triage system”, to help ensure patients get the right care, to be led by new Integrated Navigation Centres, delivered jointly by NHS 24, the Scottish Ambulance Service and health boards.
It also proposes more people to undergo diagnostic tests and specialist assessments without being admitted to hospital.
Those admitted to hospital will be given a planned discharge date on their first day, with the government saying it wants the majority to leave within three days, where it is clinically safe to do so.
Barriers to discharging patients from hospital at the weekend are also to be removed.
The government also plans to “significantly” expand the number of people who receive care either at home or in their local community, with the ambition of more than 10,000 people using Hospital at Home services this winter.
The plan also sees new GP walk-in clinics, together with centres for healthy heart and lung checks, and mental health hubs used to help create consolidated health and care hubs in communities.