Townie
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Rural hospitals future 'secure'Rural hospitals future 'secure'
| Quote: | A new action plan will secure the future of six rural hospitals, according to the health secretary.
Nicola Sturgeon said it would help ensure people living in remote and rural communities received "first class" services from the NHS.
The plan covers Lerwick, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Wick, Fort William and Oban.
A pilot project will start in August introducing a new type of doctor who will have the skills of a GP as well as specialist training in acute medicine.
Technology will also be used to avoid the need for patients and staff to travel.
The hospitals affected are the Gilbert Bain in Lerwick, Balfour in Kirkwall, the Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway, Caithness General in Wick, Belford Hospital in Fort William and the Lorn and the Isles Hospital in Oban.
Community care
The government said this would secure the future of the rural general hospitals, which will provide enhanced services to patients as a result - including routine and emergency surgery and midwife-led maternity care.
Other local and community hospitals in remote and rural areas will also offer more services, including outpatient clinics, day case treatment, midwifery services and treatment for minor injuries and emergencies.
To support this enhanced role for remote and rural hospitals, health workers will be supported to develop extra skills, so patients can benefit from being treated by staff with a broad range of expertise.
Extended community care teams will be based in GP practices and will improve integration and communication by bringing GPs, community health nurses, midwives, other health professionals, social workers and others together. |
more here .... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7398621.stm
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