NHS Highland board meeting preview

3rd April 2013

Plans to scale up NHS Highland’s ambitious quality improvement journey will be up for discussion at the board meeting on Tuesday 9th April.

Board members will hear first hand about some of the quality improvement work to improve continence services. And they will get an update on the development of a Highland Sensory one-stop project. This service is for people with sensory loss, and the board will be told of a fact-finding visit to look at older people’s services in Mallaig.

Capital resources for 2013/14 will be confirmed as being just over £17million. This financial year will see a number key projects progress such as the Oban Dental Clinic, Raigmore Biomass facilities and upgrading of endoscopy facilities in Raigmore.

The important contribution of support from the general public will be acknowledged highlighting the significant work through Archie Foundation to fund new facilities for children at Raigmore Hospital.

Other important updates will include that NHS Highland has met its infection control targets and that a fourth microbiologist consultant will be recruited. This will enable additional infection, prevention and control support to progress.

NHS Highland continues to report an expected break-even position for 2012/13 and members will be asked to agree the revenue budget for 2013/14.

It has been a year of significant change for health and social care staff since integrating of services across NHS Highland and the Highland Council. Throughout the process, however, consistency has been maintained in the care and support provided to children, families and adults. It will be reported that the work progressed during 2012/13 has provided a strong platform to create integrated frontline teams reducing gaps and duplication.

Meanwhile, the developing District Partnerships which were set up as part of engagement structures to support integration will also be considered. All nine District Partnerships are now up and running and the board will be asked to support a review to take place later in the year.

A paper describing key messages from the Audit Scotland report on waiting lists will also be considered. The report highlighted a number of key messages and the Board will be assured of the local position. For instance, NHS Highland does not follow the national picture of high and fluctuating levels of unavailability.

The board meeting which starts at 08.30 in the Board Room in Assynt House, Inverness, is open to the public. Anyone interested in attending should phone 01463 704830.

The agenda and all board papers together with a summary are available on the NHS Highland website.

The agenda and papers for the meeting on 9th April 2013 can be found at -
http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/Meetings/BoardsMeetings/Pages/April2013.aspx