The Quality Strategy is an approach which aims to put quality right at the heart of NHSScotland and it recognises that patients' experience of the NHS is about more than speedy treatment - it is the quality of care they get that matters most to them.

For the first time, the quality of care provided by NHSScotland will be measured through the experience of patients and the information will be used to drive up standards.

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Patients will be encouraged to be partners in their own care and can expect to experience improvements in the things patients have said they want from their health service.

These are:

    * Caring and compassionate treatment
    * Clear communication and explanation
    * Effective collaboration with the clinician
    * Clean and safe care environment
    * Continuity of care
    * Clinical excellence

The Quality Strategy will help NHSScotland staff achieve each of these things and more, building upon improvement initiatives such as the Scottish Patient Experience Programme, which has already taken place in many different settings. The Healthcare Associated Infection taskforce will also be integrated into the Quality Strategy.

Over the coming months, all NHS Boards will be expected to identify steps they can take to improve the quality of care they give.

Key Drivers of Quality

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/NHS-Scotland/NHSQuality/Q/EditM...