The Scottish Government

The Directorate for Healthcare Policy and Strategy is headed by Derek Feeley and is further subdivided into three divisions:

• Healthcare Planning Division

The Division has responsibility for supporting the implementation of the NHSScotland Healthcare strategy and Action Plan - 'Better Health Better Care'. Its remit also includes policy development and planning relating to; cancer ( and specifically implementation of the 'Better Cancer Care' Strategy), long term conditions (including coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes), self care, neurosciences, genetics, the role of the Third Sector in healthcare service delivery and responsibility for national co-ordination of healthcare planning, including supporting the National Planning Forum and the Remote and Rural Implementation Group

• Patients and Quality Division

This Division leads on policy and strategy for the quality and safety of health services, including the sponsorship of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland. It is responsible for all aspects of policy on patient focus and in addition to this international issues, blood transfusion, rehabilitation services and equipment come within its remit.

• Child and Maternal Health Division

This Division is responsible for managing a wide range of policy including three Delivering for Health workstreams. Responsibilities also include screening, surveillance and health promotion, as well as health's input to the Integrated Children's Services Agenda. In addition to maternity policy issues the division oversees the provision of Scotland's maternity services as well as infertility and assisted conception treatments.

Our Goal

To work with Ministers, the NHS and other stakeholders to develop a clear strategic direction for healthcare in Scotland; leading to higher quality services for patients and best value from the Government's investment in healthcare through evidenced and integrated approaches to delivery.

Objectives

• Achievement of a consensus amongst stakeholders about the direction of travel for healthcare change and redesign in Scotland.
• World leading, patient centred, safe and clinically effective health services through embedding a quality improvement culture in healthcare policy, planning and delivery.
• Improvements in the safety of healthcare through the success of the Scottish Patient Safety Alliance
• Improvements in patient centredness and in patients' experience of healthcare through the success of the Better Together Programme
• A more systematic approach to managing long term conditions leading to an increase in healthy life expectancy for these patients
• Better health outcomes for Scotland's children through improved services and early interventions for those who need them.
• Patients and public are more involved in healthcare change and redesign.