Page last updated: 28-FEB-2008

Frequently Asked Questions

General

What is the 'New Ways' project?
In the publication 'Fair to All Personal to Each ' (December 2004) the Scottish Executive Health Department announced proposals to change, by the end of 2007, the way patients waits are managed, measured and monitored. The aim of these changes is to make the management of waiting clear and transparent, with clear information available to patients and a consistent approach being taken across Scotland. In summary, these proposals:

  • Replace the current system of Availability Status Codes (ASCs), which effectively remove in certain circumstances a patients right to assessment or treatment within national waiting times guarantees
  • Introduce nationally-consistent arrangements that take periods of patient unavailability into account when measuring and reporting waiting times in the context of the guarantees and which deal fairly and appropriately with patients who do not attend appointments or who refuse a reasonable offer of an appointment
  • Make explicit the shared responsibility of patients, GPs and hospital services to communicate changes in circumstances to facilitate efficient management of waiting and scheduling of care and to keep patients informed of their waiting status and the reasons.

What is considered to be best practice for booking appointments and admissions?
As a dialogue between the Service and the patient is integral to New Ways, Patient Focused Booking has been recognised as the best approach to making reasonable offers and should, where possible, be employed. Further information on implementing best practice booking processes can be sought from Max Brown, Information Manager, Improvement and Support Team, Scottish Executive Health Department. E-mail: Max.Brown@Scotland.gsi.gov..uk  telephone on 0131 244 3285.

Is New Ways mandatory for services such as Mental Health, Allied Health Professional's, Nurse-led clinics etc.?
New Ways can accommodate all types of service including these models of service delivery. Although New Ways is not mandatory for these type of services at present, it would recommended as good practice to implement the New Ways guidance for appropriate patient services and this is being planned in a number of areas.

How are queries about New Ways guidance handled?
If a query is raised which cannot be give an immediate answer by a member of the project team, the issue is logged and then raised at the ISD's New Ways Working Group. If it cannot be answered by this group, it is escalated to the ISD New Ways Steering Group. If resolution still cannot be found then the query will be escalated to the New Ways Programme Board.

What happens to New Ways once the implementation project has finished?
The formal implementation project, established to put in the new infrastructure to support waiting times, will finish at the end March 2008. After this time, managing waiting times information using the new guidance will then become mainstream ISD work.

There are plans to carry out a formal review of New Ways in June 2008. This review will not only consider the progress to date with the working arrangements, but will also provide an opportunity to re-visit issues that have been raised since 1 January 2008 e.g. the addition of sub specialty data has already been proposed. This, along with other proposals will be considered for  a potential New Ways Update later in 2008. There will also be links from the New Ways team to the 18 weeks referral to treatment standard programme.


Main contact: Email Jane Goodall