Publications

2008

SCC Response to the consultation on a local healthcare bill
The SCC rejects the idea of direct elections to NHS boards, arguing that this is not appropriate for a national service, and that it will create confusion about the role and responsibilities of NHS board members. The paper argues for independent external scrutiny of NHS boards, and for a review of the structure of NHS boards, and the role of executive and non-executive members. The SCC argues for the need for more effective representation of the consumer interest at national level in relation to policy making in the NHS.
April 2008
91KB

Patient and public engagement at national level in the NHS - a proposal for development
The SCC makes the case for more effective representation of the consumer interest at national level in a range of policy making settings.
April 2008
150KB

Response to consultation on independent scrutiny of proposals for major changes in NHS services
January 2008
153KB

2007

SCC Response to Better Health Better Care - a discussion document
November 2007
91KB

Call for improvement: the experience of members of the public in contacting their local NHS

May 2007

This report explores what happens when members of the public contact the NHS in their local area by phone or email looking for information or advice. It shows that some NHS boards are better than others at handling calls and emails, but that in many cases people do not get the information or advice they are looking for. The report makes a series of recommendations about how boards could do better in this area.
491KB

Summary report

418KB

Response to consultation - EU commission communication on health services
The SCC sets out the kind of information people are likely to need in relation to their rights to health care in other EU countries
123KB January 2007

2006

Scrutiny and the Consumer
This paper outlines the SCC approach to the scrutiny of public services, including all inspection, auditing, regulation and complaints handling functions. It argues for greater consumer involvement and focus in the activities of scrutiny bodies and for the results of these activities to be visible and available to consumers.

288KB November 2006

Response to review of code of practice of joint inspection of child protection services
The SCC sets out its concerns about the need for children and their parents to be properly informed and asked for their consent before joint inspection teams are allowed to look at personal records.
September 2006
84KB

No-fault compensation consultation document from the Scottish National Party
In its response to a consultation paper from the SNP,SCC argues for changes to the current system of pursuing cases of medical negligence through the courts.  We propose greater use of mediation and a no-fault scheme for injuries up to a certain level of compensation.
August 2006
107KB

Consultation on the Schools (Nutrition and Health Promotion) (Scotland) Bill

August 2006
50KB

NHS 24 PFPI strategy, 2006-2009
SCC comments on NHS 24's draft strategy
August 2006
83KB

Working for a healthier Scotland: NHS 24’s strategy, 2006-2009

SCC welcomes this document and generally supports the strategy.

July 2006
85KB

Delivering a healthy future: an action framework for children and young people’s health in Scotland

The SCC comments on the need for an effective strategy for producing information for children and young people about their health, and their health rights as part of this Action Plan.
July 2006
76KB

Response to consultation on NHS prescription charges and exemption arrangements

May 2006

This consultation response argues that simply changing the current list of exempt medical conditions is not a satisfactory approach to reviewing prescription charges, and argues for exemptions being based primarily on ability to pay. It calls for a review of exemptions based on age, or educational or training status across the NHS.

88KB

Patient focus and public involvement, draft framework from NHS Quality Improvement Scotland

May 2006

This response argues that the draft framework for Patient Focus and Public Involvement is too general, and lacking in specificity to be useful either in implementation or in monitoring work in this area.
76KB

Consumers' knowledge of their health rights
300KB April 2006

(a summary of the above report is available here)

Lost in translation - report of a seminar held on 24 March 2006

The seminar was organised jointly with NHS Health Scotland and the National Resource Centre for Ethnic Minority Health (NRCEMH).  The report contains an agenda for action based on the seminar discussions, which outlines what is required in Scotland in relation to translated health information.

March 2006

2005

33KB November 2005

Health Online: public attitudes to data sharing in the NHS

(a summary report is also available by clicking here.

190KB November 2005

Written evidence to the Education Committee on the Joint Inspection of Children's Services and Inspection of Social Work Services Scotland Bill
33KB November 2005

Refreshing the NHS QIS patient and public partnership — a reform agenda
September 2005

128KB

Response to Scottish Executive Health Department consultation paper A mental health information strategy for Scotland

July 2005

21KB

Draft clinical governance and risk management standards: report of a consultation with four focus groups

NHS Quality Improvement Scotland commissioned the SCC to carry out four focus groups as part of their consultation process.

165KB July 2005

Written submission to the Health Committee of the Scottish Parliament on the draft dentists act 1984 (amendment) order 2005

The SCC supports legislative changes which will strengthen regulation on dentists.

128KB June 2005

Response to NHS Quality Improvement Scotland consultation on draft clinical governance and risk management standards

100KB   June 2005

Abolition of NHS prescription charges (Scotland) bill

The Scottish Consumer Council’s written evidence to the Scottish Parliament Health Committee

128KB May 2005

Bridging the Gap: improving access to primary healthcare services for disabled people

A research report exploring examples of good practice in improving access for disabled people in Scotland.

185KB March 2005

Bridging the gap: improving access to primary healthcare services for disabled people
A summary and checklist for primary healthcare providers

This four page summary and checklist has been sent to all primary healthcare providers in Scotland.
129KB March 2005

Smoking, health and social care (Scotland) Bill

The SCC's written evidence to the Health Committee of the Scottish Parliament comments on Part 2 and 3 of the Bill, which deal with dental, pharmaceutical and opthalmic services. 
104KB  February 2005

2004

Response to GMC consultation on "Good Medical Practice"

This response comments on the GMC's proposal to update its guidance "Good Medical Practice"

56KB  December 2004

Comment on advice note on public partnership forums

SCC response on draft advice note prepared for community health partnerships on the role and function of public partnership forums.
24KB  October 2004

Response to Scottish Executive Health Department consultation on Smoking in Public Places

The SCC supports the introduction of a ban on smoking in public places on the grounds that the market has failed to respond to the changing needs of consumers.

September 2004

Response to Scottish Executive Health Department consultation on the regulation of health and social care support staff

SCC response supports regulation of support staff.

September 2004

Response to consultation on the abolition of prescription charges

The SCC responds to a consultation by Colin Fox MSP.  The SCC argues for a review of charges within the NHS rather than altering one aspect of charging.

June 2004

Response to consultation paper "Safer for patients, supportive of professionals"

June 2004

Response to the Scottish Executive Consultation paper ‘Modernising NHS community pharmacy in Scotland’

The SCC welcomes the introduction of a new contract for pharmacists, and the proposal that NHS boards are responsible for ensuring services in all areas.
8KB May 2004

Draft Standards for the Provision of safe and effective primary medical services out of hours

This is SCC's response to a consultation from NHS Quality Improvement Scotland.
8KB May 2004

Response to Scottish Executive Health Department consultation "Modernising NHS dental services in Scotland".

March 2004

Draft guide to the production and provision of information about health and healthcare interventions

SCC comments on the draft guide.

January 2004

2003

Response to Scottish Executive Health Department consultation on "Towards Better Oral Health in Children"

SCC argues against the addition of fluoride to water supplies in Scotland, and in favour of other measures to tackle this problem.

January 2003

Response to "Learning from Experience: how to improve safety for patients in Scotland.

Jan 2003

Response to Performance Assessment Framework section 5: Patient Focus and Public Involvement.

SCC's comments on the indicators to be used in the performance assessment of NHS boards' work in the area of patient focus and public involvement.
Jan 2003

Response to consultation on NHS Code of Practice on Confidentiality of Personal Information

March 2003

Response to the OFT report on the Control of Entry Regulations and Retail Pharmacy in the UK

March 2003

Response to Scottish Executive Health Department consultation on a new public involvement structure for NHS Scotland. 

May 2003

Response to Scottish Executive Health Department consultation on reforming the NHS complaints procedure in Scotland

May 2003

Response to NHS Quality Improvement Scotland consultation on a framework for public partnership.

July 2003

Response to Patients' Rights and Responsibilities. 

August 2003

Response to Scottish Executive Health Department consulation on Community Health Partnerships

September 2003