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NHS HIGHLAND COMMENDED FOR INVOLVEMENT OF THE PUBLIC
NHS Highland is being commended - in a national report published on 9 June 2005 - for its work in involving staff, patients, carers and the public in decisions about the future of healthcare in the Highlands.

The report, entitled "Safe and Effective Care", (NHS highland Part Here) has been published by Quality Improvement Scotland and challenges the NHS to take the opportunity to restore the confidence in medicine that the patients and the public have traditionally had. It says that greater involvement of the public and patients in this process will further strengthen this confidence.

The report says that "NHS Highland have demonstrated that the involvement of staff, patients, carers and the public have led to clear changes in options, solutions and decisions around service changes, service redesign and MCNs. This is evidenced by the establishment of the West Highland Solutions Group, the Out-of-Hours consultation and the engagement and consultation around the Maternity and Gynaecology services in Caithness."

NHS Highland Chairman, Garry Coutts, welcomed the report. He said, "We are very pleased that the report has commended us for the work we have been doing to involve communities regarding the future of their health services. This is something that we have been working hard at over the last few years. It is not always easy but it is essential if we are to make any changes in services a success."

The report also commends NHS Highland for the appointment of the Head of Public Involvement, Mrs Gill Keel. The report says, "This post will be key to the future development and promotion of Patient Focus and Public Involvement across the single system."

The report can be found at http://www.nhshealthquality.org