Leading the way on patient safety

The Scottish Government has announced that GPs in Scotland are set to become even safer as the world’s first patient safety programme for primary care is launched.

With around 100,000 GP visits every day in Scotland the programme will see safety measures implemented where the majority of NHS care is delivered.

GPs and their staff will undertake safety surveys and case note reviews to increase staff awareness and integrate patient safety into their daily work to reduce avoidable harm.

The new GP programme follows on from the Scottish Government’s successful patient safety initiatives in hospitals, which has seen a 12.4% reduction in death rates since 2007.

This means that for the first time almost all patient care will be covered by the Scottish Patient Safety Programme with initiatives now up and running in GP surgeries, hospitals, mental health and maternity services.