Plans to improve Lanarkshire’s health services have been endorsed by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport Shona Robison.

The Cabinet Secretary approved NHS Lanarkshire’s healthcare strategy ‘Achieving Excellence’ saying: “The Board has made a compelling case for change which is consistent with national policy and supported by the majority of local stakeholders, including clinical staff, planning partners, local people and their representatives. “

The Cabinet Secretary’s endorsement notes that that ‘Achieving Excellence’ has been developed using detailed analysis of the current and expected needs of the local population and the process has included meaningful and inclusive engagement and consultation with stakeholders.

The final version had been amended to take account of the feedback received during last year’s public consultation exercise when nearly two thousand people shared their views on the strategy.

NHS Lanarkshire chief executive Calum Campbell said: “We are delighted that the Cabinet Secretary has approved the approach set out in Achieving Excellence to developing local health services.

“The final document is the product of a great deal of planning that reflects valuable feedback from people across Lanarkshire who participated in the consultation process.

“It puts us in an excellent position to continue to evolve and improve our services for the people of Lanarkshire.

“We are now working to implement the strategy and will ensure stakeholders are kept fully informed and involved as this work progresses.”

The goal through ‘Achieving Excellence’ is to shift the balance away from treatment in hospitals. This includes preventing ill-health in the first instance and developing enhanced community services where people are looked after at home or in homely settings.

The health strategy is both aligned to and dependent upon the strategic commissioning plans of the two health and social care partnerships.

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