A new system which measures and helps to improve the performance of health boards is being rolled out across Scotland.
Funding of £2.1 million has been given to NHS National Services Scotland to implement the service across NHS boards in Scotland.
It allows boards to look at how they are doing across a range of different areas, and compares clinical and other data across health boards in Scotland, and health trusts throughout the rest of the UK.
It is already being used by NHS Tayside, and has resulted in improvements to their Ear Nose and Throat service.
Health Secretary Alex Neil said:
“This new service, which has already seen good results in NHS Tayside, will help health boards to monitor quality, and to highlight areas in which they are performing particularly well, or where they need to improve.
“By comparing against other healthcare systems across the UK, it will also enable boards to benchmark their performance and strive to be among the best in the UK.
“Our NHS is already performing well in many areas, but I recognise that there are also areas for development, and this new tool will help to determine where improvement is needed.
“This will help to ensure patients in Scotland are receiving the best possible treatment and care.”
Chief Executive of NHS Tayside, Gerry Marr explained that the tool has already helped to redesign and improve services.
He said:
“Clinical information generated by this new service has been used in Tayside to redesign Ear Nose and Throat services resulting in significant improvements in access to services and overall patient experience.
“Staff found the clinical data provided by the system to be the most relevant and accessible information to inform and support improvement.”