Stevenson Welcomes Discussion on Health Improvement Action Plan

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Nicola Sturgeon’s launch of a nationwide discussion document to inform the development of the new Government’s Health Improvement Action Plan to be published at the end of the year.

This discussion will help inform the action plan which will, amongst other things, tackle health inequalities, develop community services for people with long term conditions, extend entitlement to school meals, increase accountability and introduce new waiting time guarantees.

Commenting Mr. Stevenson said;

"I am delighted to see that the new SNP Government are stepping up to the challenge of improving health services across Scotland and involving the public in the process. The Government are giving patients and the public the chance to have their say on how the NHS could perform better.

"This is good news for the health and wellbeing of people here in Banff & Buchan and across Scotland. The SNP is aware of the challenges Scotland faces in terms of health improvement such as in life-expectancy and long term conditions and is committed to make progress in these areas.

"The SNP Government is determined to help the people of Scotland sustain and improve their health by ensuring local, better and faster access to health care for all. This discussion document places people’s expectations at the heart of decision making in the NHS. I hope people will take the opportunity to contribute to the discussion and I have no doubt that the action plan will benefit from their input."

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Responses are sought by November 12, and responses and views will be considered as part of the development of an Action Plan for Health and Wellbeing, to be published by the end of the year.

Better Health, Better Care: A Discussion Document
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/08/13165824/11