General Question · S2O-05543 · Session 2
What steps it is taking to monitor the system of GP out-of-hours cover in remote rural areas.
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to monitor the system of GP out-of-hours cover in remote rural areas.
The answer
The new GP out-of-hours arrangements are the responsibility of NHS boards. The health department monitors boards' overall performance, and this year I will be chairing annual reviews to hold NHS boards to account for their performance in providing services to patients and meeting national priorities.
A national General Medical Services Out-of-Hours working group also meets on a regular basis. This comprises key stakeholders, including the Executive, NHS boards, NHS 24 and the ambulance services, and forms an important part of the monitoring process.
In addition NHS QIS have published a set of standards and guidelines for the safe and effective provision of out-of-hours services. Providers of out-of-hours services have a statutory responsibility to meet the standards, which will be monitored by NHS QIS.
A national General Medical Services Out-of-Hours working group also meets on a regular basis. This comprises key stakeholders, including the Executive, NHS boards, NHS 24 and the ambulance services, and forms an important part of the monitoring process.
In addition NHS QIS have published a set of standards and guidelines for the safe and effective provision of out-of-hours services. Providers of out-of-hours services have a statutory responsibility to meet the standards, which will be monitored by NHS QIS.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2O-05543 by reference.