We believe that all improvements made to NHSScotland must be sensitive to the needs and wishes of patients, carers and the public. For this reason, members of the public play an important role in our work.
By involving the public we aim to :
- learn from the experiences and views of patients and carers, and improve our understanding of their needs and wishes
- take account of the views and opinions of individuals from across Scotland's diverse range of communities, and meet the needs of those individuals
- increase openness and transparency within NHSScotland by making the public a vital part of how we review the quality of care received by those using NHS services in Scotland
- ensure that the knowledge and opinions of healthcare professionals is complemented and balanced by the needs and wishes of the public.
This section of our site outlines our commitment to involving the public in our work. The section also offers some samples of the various ways in which the public have played, and continue to play, a key role in improving the quality of healthcare in Scotland.