Improving Healthcare Together: our clinical engagement strategy
15th March 2012
Healthcare Improvement Scotland has developed a strategy that outlines how our activities – from strategic planning to operational delivery – will be influenced by clinical communities, and how a progressive and sustainable approach to engaging clinicians will be firmly embedded in the workings of our organisation.
A copy of our clinical engagement strategy and a short promotional video can be accessed on our website.
Weblink: http://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/about_us/work_with_us.aspx
NHS Scotland Chief Executive's Annual Report 2010/11
8th November 2011
The NHSScotland Chief Executive’s Annual Report presents an assessment of the performance of NHSScotland in 2010/11. It explains the financial and policy context of the achievements made and challenges faced by the NHS in Scotland. In his report, Derek Feeley, Director General Health and Social Care and Chief Executive of NHSScotland reflects on the improved performance in a significant number of areas and progress towards our ambitions for safe, effective and person-centred healthcare through the implementation of the Healthcare Quality Strategy for Scotland.
Weblink: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/11/02154655
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
1st July 2011
If you’ve ever been on holiday in Europe, you may have had an E111 form to entitle you to free or reduced-cost health care, if you get ill or have an accident. The E111 form was replaced with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in 2005. You can apply :
- by completing the online form (your card will be delivered in seven days),
- by calling 0845 606 2030
- by completing a form in the post office
Every family member needs their own card. You can apply for an EHIC for your spouse/partner and any children up to the age of 16 (or 19 if they are in full-time education) at the same time as applying for your own. Before you apply, you need to have the name, date of birth and NHS or national insurance (NI) number of everyone you are applying for.
The EHIC lasts for 3-5 years and allows UK nationals, resident in the UK, to receive free or reduced-cost emergency healthcare when visiting European Economic Area (EEA) countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The Department of Health website explains where the EHIC is valid. The treatment will be free or at a reduced cost, but private treatment is not usually covered.
If you do have to pay, it is a good idea to claim for a refund from the relevant authority in the country where you have been staying. Should you need to make a claim once you return to the UK call the Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle), 0191 218 1999 (Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm).
If you're going to a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, it's also important to make sure you have private health insurance. This is because the EHIC may not cover all the costs of your treatment, and never covers the cost of getting you home (repatriation) if you are seriously ill.
For more information on the EHIC see the Department of Health's advice for travellers or call the EHIC Enquiries Line on 0845 605 0707.
Weblink: http://www.ehic.org.uk
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