Delivery of Primary Care - FOI Response Register

In answer to a parliamentary written question (copy attached) the Cabinet Secretary for Health advised that Health Boards are responsible for the evaluation of the delivery of services in their area.

1. Please confirm what methodology is used by NHS Shetland to evaluate the sufficiency of the delivery of primary care medical services in its area. 

Contractors are required to comply with all contractual requirements, as laid out in the GMS Regulations Scotland (2018). NHS (Board) requires GP contractors to provide an annual return which forms the basis of service delivery evaluation. The contractor must confirm adherence to specific regulations.

Furthermore, GP cluster PQLs and CQLs are engaged by NHS (Board) and have a role in evaluating the quality of care they [GP Practices] provide and identify areas for local improvement work. As per the regulations on clusters, these are autonomous and their focus and agenda is driven by GP professionals.

Where a practice highlights that it is not able to provide sufficient services, as per circular PCA(M)2020(02) the Health Board are made aware and either they or Health & Social Care Partnership teams may offer individualised support.