12 December 2017

In a letter to NHS Borders Chairman John Raine, summarising the Board's recent formal Annual Review, the Cabinet Secretary for Health & Sport, Shona Robison, pays tribute to the work of staff for achievements in many areas of service.

Achievements highlighted include:

  • Sustaining performance at or above 95% for the four hour emergency care target
  • Performing well in delivering the suite of elective access targets and standards including the 12 week target time guarantee and key diagnostic tests
  • Delivering cancer waiting times above national standards
  • Waiting times for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services well in excess of target
  • Meeting all financial targets

Areas for improvement commented on by the Cabinet Secretary from the Annual Review of performance in the year from 2016 to April 2017 included:

  • Improving access times for psychological therapies
  • Reducing the number of patients delayed in Borders hospitals when they are clinically ready to move on
  • Sickness absence rates which are below average for NHS Scotland yet remain above the 4% standard

Welcoming the commitment of the Board and Scottish Borders Council to the integration of health and social care services, the Cabinet Secretary goes on to say:
"It is clear NHS Borders is making significant progress in taking forward a challenging agenda on a number of fronts."
"I am confident you are not complacent and you recognise that there remains much to do."

Responding to Ms Robison's assessment, John Raine commented: "We are under no illusions about the challenges we face with demand for health services continuing to outpace the resources available to us. But it is encouraging to receive such a letter which acknowledges the commitment of staff across the whole organisation to providing the best possible service to Borders people."