Safe, effective and timely care

NHS Grampian aims to be the best performing provider of healthcare services in Scotland. This means providing safe, effective and timely care in the most appropriate place and by the right person with the right skills.
 
Safer care what will this mean for you?
  • You may be screened for infections before, or on, admission to hospital.

  • You will see all staff washing their hands, or using hand gel, before and after touching you, or your surroundings. If not, ask them why not. We will continue to comply with the national hand hygiene targets.

  • There will be strict adherence to the new cleaning regimes with senior charge nurses empowered to challenge any aspect of the ward environment where standards are not met.

  • You will see changes in practice in our hospitals to further improve patient safety, for example, measures to stop nurses being interrupted when carrying out administration of medicines, and to assess and put measures in place to reduce falls.

  • You will be asked for your views and suggestions on how we can develop the services we provide, to ensure that the experience of patients helps us drive forward improvements 

  • Information will be displayed on wards to show patients and the public the work that is being done to improve the safety and quality of care provided in that area 

  • You will be able to access regularly updated reports on the safety of services and care in NHS Grampian from spring 2011.
Effective and timely care what will this mean for you?
  • Guaranteed access to an appropriate member of the GP practice team within 48 hours by 31 March 2011

  • Referral to treatment within 18 weeks by December 2011

  • Referral to treatment of cancer within 62 days by the end of 2011

  • Decision to treatment of cancer within 31 days by the end of 2011 

  • Arrival at A&E to admission or discharge within four hours 

  • More care at home and in local communities and fewer admissions to hospitals:
    • More support to manage long term conditions at home
    • Local diagnosis and treatment where appropriate
    • Greater flexibility from a wider range of health professionals.
Better facilities and equipment what will this mean for you?
  • More single rooms 

  • Better training and development facilities for staff

  • As of 2012, the Emergency Care Centre will be operational and will support improved co-ordination and delivery of emergency care across Grampian

  • New inpatient facilities for cancer patients in the Emergency Care Centre development 

  • New equipment for cancer treatment two new linear accelerators for radiotherapy by 2013

  • Modernisation of major radiology facilities two new MRI scanners by 2011

  • Staff, public and visitors can expect that hospital premises will have a reduced risk of healthcare associated infections

  • Chalmers Hospital in Banff will fully open in 2012 

  • Continued improvement of community facilities which supports shifting the balance of care, meets the needs of the Grampian population, and manages risk 
  • A new Energy Centre will help the environment and power the Foresterhill site in Aberdeen by summer 2011.