Policy responses and statements

Name of organisation:

Scottish Executive

Name of policy document:

Transforming Public Services: The Next Phase of Reform

Deadline for response:

10 September 2006

Background: This document sets out the Executive's vision for reform, describes the approach to developing that vision to build on the progress already made, and aims to provoke discussion and ideas about how reform can be deepened in the years to come. Reform is an ongoing process of change and there are already examples of reform taking place within many areas of our public services. This document and dialogue process is not intended to divert or delay these existing reforms. Rather it is intended to learn from where we are improving the quality and efficiency of our services, drive and encourage continuous improvement in service delivery, and challenge those areas where the service is unacceptable.

Throughout the document, the Executive highlights discussion points about particular issues. These questions will be explored in depth in a series of events during 2006, which will help shape the future direction of the long-term transformation of public services in Scotland.

The Executive's ambitions for service transformation apply across the whole public sector. The proposals and options in this paper are relevant to local government, police and fire services, the NHS, the enterprise networks, further and higher education institutions, the justice system, the Executive itself and the range of NDPBs and executive agencies.

The Executive does not propose to adopt a 'one-size fits all' approach to the vast range of public services, and different communities across Scotland. Some services are delivered nationally, some regionally, and others locally. The Executive's challenge to local communities and public services is to work with it to identify the reforms that will transform service delivery in their area.

The challenge to reform applies equally to the Executive. It must transform the way it plans, funds, directs, and oversee public services and remove barriers to service transformation. The Executive wants to work in partnership to design a framework for public services that is sustainable, integrated, fit for purpose and user centred.

COMMENTS ON
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
TRANSFORMING PUBLIC SERVICES:
THE NEXT PHASE OF REFORM

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh is pleased to respond to the Scottish Executive on Transforming Public Services: The Next Phase of Reform.  The College welcomes the further development of public services in Scotland and is supportive of the general direction.

Two observations may be of interest:

The NHS in Scotland must be supported to deliver training to all healthcare professionals, including recognising the importance of training the trainers and assessors at all levels to contribute to the quality of the clinical workforce in Scotland.  Scotland has an international reputation for the excellence of medical education and training and it is important to protect this advantage.

It is important that the Scottish health services reflect the particular needs of Scots but, in transforming public services, we must ensure that links with valuable UK networks are protected eg links over regulation of healthcare professionals and collaboration with the National Patient Safety Agency.

Copies of this response are available from:

Lesley Lockhart,
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh,
9 Queen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1JQ.

Tel: 0131 225 7324    ext 608
Fax: 0131 220 3939

[8 September 2006]