A controversial health centre where NHS patients will be treated by a private company has been opened.
First Minister Jack McConnell performed the official launch of the Scottish Regional Treatment Centre at Stracathro Hospital, near Brechin in Angus. He said using the independent sector to treat NHS patients was helping reduce waiting times in Scotland. reported BBC.
Managed by leading healthcare provider Netcare, the facility located at the Stracathro Hospital near Brechin is expected to undertake some 3,000 cases a year.
The first of its kind in Scotland, the centre will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week carrying out day case and inpatient procedures including orthopaedics, general surgery, ear, nose and throat surgery, urology and minor plastic surgery.
Mark Adams said: ?After 30,000 operations throughout the UK, we continue to achieve outstanding levels of patient satisfaction, consistently over 98%. In Stracathro, we are pleased to be making this important contribution to reduced waiting times, with additional investment and commitment to the highest standards of clinical care..?
Gerry Marr added: ?This new service has been made possible by the excellent collaboration throughout the mobilisation period between Netcare and NHS staff. Both sides have worked hard towards the shared goal of offering better healthcare to the local population. I am very pleased the treatment centre is now open for patient care.?