Scotland has launched a one-stop health advice service to make it easier for the public to access health information and to provide better value for money.
The service, NHS inform, will be run by Scotland’s health helpline NHS 24 and include a telephone line, website and face-to-face advice. It has cost £550,000 to set up the service.
NHS Scotland said NHS inform’s website will bring together quality assured national and local health information from across the NHS and other sectors. The website and a national health information helpline have been launched and the government said face-to-face information delivered via a range of services within local communities would be developed post-launch.
Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said NHS inform would provide the public with a single place to turn for all their health information needs for the first time.
She added: “In this tight economic climate NHS inform will also provide greater value for money as it will reduce the amount of duplication across national and local health organisations and ensure that patients can access the right part of the service on the first occasion.”
The health secretary said she also hoped as many people as possible would get involved in NHS 24’s forthcoming annual review.
She added: “Our NHS should always strive to provide the best possible care so the focus of this year’s review on the work that is being done to deliver on the Quality Strategy is particularly welcome.”
Allan Watson, NHS 24 chairman, said the annual review provided an important opportunity to review performance and identify key areas for further work and development.
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