Patients in Scotland are being invited to have their say on a strategic vision to improve the NHS.
Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon has unveiled a national consultation to collect opinions from the public on the state of the service.
These will then be used by the Scottish Executive in an action plan on health that is due to be published before the end of the year.
The consultation over the next 12 weeks will help political leaders formulate plans to develop community services for people with long-term illnesses.
Ministers are also looking at introducing new waiting time guarantees, as well as examining how to make health services more accountable through elections to NHS boards.
Ms Sturgeon said: “We must do all we can to put the expectations of people at the heart of decision-making in NHS Scotland.
“We are determined to help the people of Scotland sustain and improve their health. This is particularly true in our disadvantaged communities.
“In everything we do, we want to ensure better, local, and faster access to health care right across Scotland.
“Our biggest challenge is to break the inter-generational cycle of ill health. Our action plan will place particular emphasis on preventing the same problems occurring in future generations as have blighted past and current generations.”
Copyright © PA Business 2007
