Figures released today show that the NHS in Scotland is continuing to deal with more patients than ever before.
The total number of hospital discharges increased by 3.9 per cent to 1,400,000 in March 2009 from 1,347,000 in March 2008.
Provisional statistics released for the most recent quarter ending December 2009 also show an increase in activity of 1.7 per cent compared to the previous year.
Commenting on the figures Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon said:
"These figures show that the NHS in Scotland in continuing to deal with even more activity. Shorter lengths of stay, fewer returning outpatients and shifting care to more community based settings are all having an impact on a more effective and efficient healthcare system.
"Orthopaedics in particular has seen a significant rise in activity with the number of inpatient discharges increasing by 31 per cent from March 2005 and March 2009. The Scottish Government has continued to increase investment in orthopaedic services to drive this forward, with £370 million dedicated towards this area in the last year alone.
"This is about delivering the best possible services for patient and NHS staff have worked tirelessly to deliver this - both in hospitals and the community - and I would like to pay tribute to their efforts."
The figures released today include a revision of figures for the year 2008-2009 and the provisional acute activity statistics for the quarter ending December 2009.
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Minister for Public Health, Shona Robison today commented on the latest prescribing and dispensing statistics.
She said:
"The abolition of prescription charges will benefit everybody who pays for their prescriptions - including 600,000 people in low-income households - and is of particular benefit to those with poorer health or with long term conditions. Hundreds of thousands of ill people on modest incomes are already better off thanks to our action.
"I am delighted that the Prescription Pre-payment Certificate sales figures highlighted today prove that this policy is helping even more patients, particularly those with long term conditions and others who require the greatest number of prescription items.
"We are going further later this week when we reduce charges for a third consecutive year - a single item charge will be 3 pounds from Thursday 1st April. The figures published today emphasise that the increase in uptake of prescription medication remains within the estimates this Government made from the outset of the policy.
"Furthermore, our investment in the right areas means there are now more doctors, nurses and dentists working in our NHS than ever before and we are spending record amounts on tackling healthcare associated infections, reducing health inequalities and encouraging people to adopt healthier lifestyles to avoid preventable ill health."
The statistics on prescription charges, remuneration and minor ailments were published by ISD on March 30, 2010.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/03/30094715