Question reference: S4W-30189
- Asked by: Richard Simpson, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 8 March 2016
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Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 23 March 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason waiting time data for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde suggests that the rate of patient social unavailability is 33%; how this compares with other boards, and whether it will ask Health Improvement Scotland or Audit Scotland to investigate this.
Answer
As part of the Scottish Government's on-going monitoring of the use of unavailability it became clear that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's use of social unavailability was higher than other health boards.
The board’s local policy had been to apply unavailability to patients not wishing to travel to alternative places for treatment such that patients do not start their waiting time all over again. It was NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's view that some patients may come from some of the most vulnerable part of society and therefore resetting or referring back to their GP may not be in the best interest of the patient. The board has now been advised their local operating policy must be fully compliant by 1 April 2016.