On 22 February 2024 the Auditor General for Scotland published NHS in Scotland 2023.
The report says:
"The NHS, and its workforce, is unable to meet the growing demand for health services. Activity in secondary care has increased in the last year but it remains below pre-pandemic levels and is outpaced by growing demand. This pressure is creating operational challenges throughout the whole system and is having a direct impact on patient safety and experience".
Read the report on Audit Scotland's website
Information about the Public Audit Committee's consideration of the report can be found below.
The Committee took evidence from:
Stephen Boyle, the Auditor General for Scotland; Cornilius Chikwama, Audit Director; Leigh Johnston, Senior Manager; and Martin McLauchlan, Audit Manager, Audit Scotland.
Read the agenda and meeting papers, 21 March 2024
Read the Official Report, 21 March 2024
Read the meeting minutes, 21 March 2024
Decision: The Committee agreed to invite the Scottish Government to give oral evidence at a future meeting.
The Committee took evidence from:
Caroline Lamb, Chief Executive of NHS Scotland and Director-General of Health and Social Care; Richard McCallum, Director of Health and Social Care Finance, Digital and Governance, Scottish Government; and John Burns, Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland.
Followed by:
Stephen Boyle, the Auditor General for Scotland; Cornilius Chikwama, Audit Director; Leigh Johnston, Senior Manager; and Martin McLauchlan, Audit Manager, Audit Scotland.
Read the agenda and meeting papers, 20 June 2024
Read the Official Report, 20 June 2024
Read the meeting minutes, 20 June 2024
Decision: The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government on issues raised during the meeting.