RCN Scotland comments on Ministerial Statement on Waiting Times

Published: 21 December 2012

Commenting on the Ministerial Statement on the Waiting Times Audit report, RCN Scotland Associate Director for Employment Relations Norman Provan said:

“The announcement today by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Alex Neil MSP,  that there appears to be no evidence of dishonest or widespread manipulation of waiting times, is good news for all the hard working staff in NHS Scotland. The fact that all health boards have now published and made publicly available their individual reports on waiting times means that any specific local issues and recommendations can be considered in a transparent and open way over the coming weeks.

“RCN Scotland is pleased that the NHS staff responsible for implementing this complex system of waiting time targets are being supported by a commitment from Scottish Government to address shortcomings around training, guidance on consistent recording and inadequate IT systems. 

“We look forward to considering the Audit Scotland report on waiting times due out next year and to seeing the recommendations made in today’s health board audits fully implemented as soon as possible.”

ENDS

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Notes to editors

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the world’s largest professional organisation and trade union for nursing staff, with members in the NHS, independent and voluntary sectors. RCN Scotland promotes patient and nursing interests by campaigning on issues that affect our members, shaping national health policies, representing members on practice and employment issues and providing members with learning and development opportunities.  With around 39,000 members in Scotland, we are the voice of nursing.