Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care says listening to people impacted by government policy is at the heart of his commitment to improving services, reducing waiting times and tackling health inequalities.

Addressing over 370 attendees from across health, social care and third sector staff, unpaid carers and people receiving health and care at the ALLIANCE annual conference, Neil Gray acknowledged the “significant” challenges they face.

He said the impact on them does not go unnoticed by the Scottish government.

The Cabinet Secretary told his audience he is committed to listening and making the changes that matter most to people:

“I want to give some reassurance to those of you across the room today who are really feeling those challenges, that they are ones that are felt by government, felt across the UK.

“I have been hearing very similar concerns about the pressures that there are in other parts of the UK as the challenges we’re seeking to wrestle with here in Scotland.

“I really want provide that help and support efforts to ensure we can get through to these challenges, for the people who desperately need better care.”

Mr Gray said he has been engaging with leaders across sectors and that a cross-portfolio approach is needed to promote areas of good practice and deliver the Scottish government’s NHS reform and renewal plans.

He added that only by working together and centring the voices of people affected by these challenges, can the change needed be achieved:

“I have no doubt as a nation, we have what it takes to work collaboratively, take positive action, improve on the good work already underway to make our health and care services fit for the challenges of the 21st century.”

Mr Gray said eradicating child poverty will remain the government’s number one priority in its upcoming Programme for Government.

Following patients’ lead for excellence in care

Mr Gray told the conference that Scotland’s world-first patient feedback system, Care Opinion serves as a “powerful testimony” to the dedication of our health and social care staff with around 70% of responses being entirely positive.

As a result, he said, the government is “creating a new person-centred measurement approach” as part of the Excellence in Care programme.

While the Cabinet Secretary did not specify when this approach would be rolled out, he said it will learn from patients’ experiences:

“This will involve using systems like Care Opinion and others to proactively listen to people's experiences of health and care services closer to real-time. Listening to these and addressing inequalities at a national and individual level is a priority.

“As we look to the future, we know our health and care system needs to adapt to meet the needs of our population.”

Ahead of the conference the ALLIANCE called for action from Scotland’s leaders to move beyond consulting on health inequalities and work on delivering solutions.

Mr Gray told attendees he welcomes the “critical friend” approach of the ALLIANCE and the government will be “relentless” in its focus to work across society on changing policies and structures to improve health.

Social care reforms

The Cabinet Secretary used the conference as an opportunity to announce the government’s interim national care service advisory board will be meeting for the first time on the 21^st May.

With all invitations to the board now accepted, Mr Gray said he was pleased that two lived experience representatives will be joining from the ALLIANCE.

It comes as a paper from the ALLIANCE and five other health and care organisations said the government has ‘lacks urgency’ on care reforms and asks how accountability and influence will be embedded into this board.

Mr Gray today sought to reassure attendees that change is underway and the was grateful for the perspectives provided in the position paper.

Although he did not set out how or when, he said the new Bill will continue with introducing Anne’s Law, standards for care service procurement and deliver the right to breaks for unpaid carers, adding:

“We have not been waiting for this legislation to make the improvements that we can deliver right now.

“We not only need to address the structural issues at a national level, but we also must address inequalities at the individual level – asking and understanding in every interaction: What really matters to this person?”

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