A view of NHS Scotland Event 2011

I have just had my first experience of the NHS Scotland Event - it was a surprising couple of days!  With a load of NHS Scotland bigwigs in the same auditorium I expected to hear about the 'challenging financial climate', that we should 'do more with less', and the key would be 'improvement', 'measurement', 'productivity'...and I wasn't disappointed: they were all there with bells on!

However, 'compassion', 'care', and 'empathy' also featured prominently, perhaps even more so - what a relief!  Were there even lessons to be learned from the Disney Corporation?  Will we ever call patients 'guests'?

It shouldn't be so surprising but it was reassuring that senior health service staff and government officials are placing these fundamental values front and centre.  As so many Patient Opinion stories, convey, the absence of these values can make the difference between a good experience and a bad one, aside from any clinical intervention.

I came away remembering a quote from the film, 'Patch Adams', "treat the disease, you'll win some, you'll lose some.  Treat the person, you'll always win."

It's a great sentiment; it's been around a few years now!  However, not sure if it can quite compete with the Acting Director of NHS Scotland quoting Lady Gaga!  Apparently, the NHS is Scotland is "on the Edge of Glory"?  How exciting!