Health Secretary must tackle unfair postcode lottery - Finnie

12.01.00am GMT Thu 4th Mar 2010

Commenting on the Audit Scotland report into the new arrangements for NHS waiting times, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Ross Finnie MSP said:

“This change was meant to make waiting times fairer for patients. But a postcode lottery for rescheduled appointments isn’t a fair solution.

“According to Audit Scotland’s survey, two-thirds of patients didn’t get any information about what happens when they can’t make NHS appointments. This is hardly surprising given how complex the new system is. The Scottish Government needs to find a simple and clear way of explaining the system, preferably without a complicated flow chart.

“Ministers must act on this key Audit Scotland recommendation. Patients need to know their rights.”