NHS Scotland launches new system to tackle waiting lists

NHS Scotland is to roll out a new system to help bring down support waiting lists.

The text-message service, named the National Coordination Unit, will help ensure information held on NHS Scotland waiting lists is accurate, so resources are allocated to those who need them the most.

The announcement comes three weeks after figures shared by Public Health Scotland showed NHS waiting lists had reached a record high.

As of March, more than 690,000 people were waiting for appointments for non-urgent care.

The service has already undergone trials across different Scottish health boards and has proved “extremely successful”, allowing clinicians to prioritise “urgent cases”, Anne Burgon, NECU service manager claimed.

As part of the roll-out it will be first introduced to patients in NHS Lanarkshire who are waiting for orthopaedic, endoscopy or dermatology care. They will receive a text later this month on mobile number 07860 039092, which will take them to a short survey to find out whether they still require their appointment.

Burgon has confirmed that information will only be used to manage waiting lists and will be kept safe.

The National Elective Coordination Unit adheres to NHS Scotland clinical and information governance standards, policies and procedures and will be delivered in partnership with the digital solutions provider DrDoctor.