People needing urgent and unplanned hospital care will benefit
from a new national improvement programme aimed at reducing
waiting times.
The Urgent and Unscheduled Care Collaborative will see health
boards adopt a number of measures to reduce A&E waiting times
and improve patient experience, including offering alternatives
to hospital–based treatment.
People will also be offered scheduled urgent appointments to
avoid long waits in A&E. The programme will also determine
how the discharge process can be simplified to ensure patients
don't face unnecessary delays in leaving hospital. Health boards
will share more than £50 million of funding this year (2022-23)
to support this national integrated approach with work already
underway in some areas.
Earlier this week the Scottish Government’s Resource Spending
Review was published, setting out priorities for the next five
years, including investment and reform of health and social care
services.
Health Secretary said:
“It is absolutely crucial we ensure people are receiving the
right care at the right time and in the right place. That’s why
I’m pleased to confirm today’s £50 million investment to help
achieve our national urgent and unscheduled care
priorities.
“Our twin approach of investment and reform in urgent and
unscheduled care will help boards see people who need urgent
attention more quickly. For many, A&E may not be the best
place for their healthcare needs and our £50 million improvement
programme will offer patients alternative routes to urgent care.
Last year 4,500 patients received care from a Hospital at Home
service – without this these patients would have experienced an
acute hospital stay, we are determined to build on this success.”
Background
Urgent and Unscheduled care is classed as any unplanned health
care for patients seeking emergency or critical care often
presenting at hospital.
