Question reference: S6W-26929
- Date lodged: 19 April 2024
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Current status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 2 May 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings in the Kidney Care UK report, In-centre Dialysis Transport in Scotland, what steps it is taking to reduce any variation between NHS boards in access to free non-emergency kidney patient transport for all kidney patients, regardless of income, to and from in-centre dialysis appointments.
Answer
The Scottish Government’s role is to set the strategic policy for the NHS in Scotland, NHS Boards are responsible for service delivery and treatment. A requirement has been placed within the NHS Territorial Boards annual delivery guidance to bring attention to the requirement for the Boards to consider transport to health for patients and ensure patients have access to information.
The Transport (Scotland) Act section 120 and 121 commenced in 2023, placing a requirement on Boards to work with community transport providers and consider the economic and social impacts of non-emergency patient transport.