The final version of our healthcare strategy, Achieving Excellence, has been approved by NHS Lanarkshire’s Board.

The strategy was amended to take account of the feedback received during last year’s public consultation exercise.

A number of strong themes emerged. These were studied closely and the workstream leads who developed the draft strategy then revised and updated the document to reflect those points.

The key themes reflected in the consultation which informed the final strategy included: shifting the balance of care; improving primary care; realistic medicine; redevelopment of Monklands Hospital; centres of excellence; trauma and orthopaedic surgery; carers; mental health and learning disabilities; eHealth; travel and transport; and workforce.

The final version has been submitted to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing following approval by the Board.

The revised strategy is being taken forward through an extensive programme of healthcare redesign across primary, community, hospital and social care.

A series of short-life working groups will lead the implementation of this programme of change, which will extend over 10 years.

The groups are building community capacity, long-term conditions, acute planned care, mental health and learning disabilities, maternity and early years, frailty, workforce, infrastructure, finance, and engagement and communications.

For more information visit: www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk/Involved/consultation/healthcare-strategy .