NHS Tayside is one of the best performing health boards in Scotland, Health Secretary Alex Neil has said.
He was speaking at a public meeting in Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, to discuss the board’s annual review.
Mr Neil said: “I can honestly say that NHS Tayside is one of the top three or four of the 14 territorial boards in terms of performance.
“That’s not to say there are not problems from time to time, or blips from time to time but, if all the other health boards were performing as well as Tayside, I would be a much happier individual.”
During his speech Mr Neil outlined the strategic challenges facing the NHS in Scotland, including increasing pressure on its £12 billion annual budget, thanks to an ageing population requiring more complex and expensive care and the need to tackle health inequalities.
He also reaffirmed the SNP’s opposition to the NHS reforms being carried out south of the border, saying he believed they would lead to greater bureaucracy.
NHS Tayside chairman Sandy Watson presented some key statistics onthe board’s performance, including action to meet the 12-week treatment time guarantee.
The most recent figures showed only 0.9% of patients waiting longer than that.
Efforts to reduce the wait for IVF treatment had seen the number of people on the waiting list for their first cycle of treatment cut from 230 in October to 120 in May and the board had “consistently met” the 31-day target for starting treatment for people diagnosed with cancer, he said.
The death rate for heart disease among under-75s in deprived areas fell from 139.8 per 100,000 people a decade ago to 83.5 now, with the death rate from stroke down from 26 per 100,000 to 14.7.
The death rate from all types of cancer fell from 143.2 per 100,000 to 110.3.
The target for reducing staph aureus infections was not met, but the number of patients acquiring the illness in hospital fell year-on-year.
The board also narrowly missed its target for cutting C difficile infections.
Mr Watson said the redesigned acute medical unit at Ninewells, which can see up to 50 patients a day, had been a success and its staffing would be increased.
He added that new electronic whiteboards introduced in ward five at the hospital were making it easier for doctors and nurses to see relevant patient information at a glance.
Mr Neil was taken to see the whiteboards in action. They display information such as expected discharge dates, test results, whether a patient is at risk of infection, or if they have specialist care needs.
He said: “I announced earlier this year that we would be rolling out the use of advanced digital technologies, such as this whiteboard, across Scotland and I am delighted to see the progress NHS Tayside has made.
“This secure new technology will support improved clinical decision-making within wards and hospitals and will improve how quickly people are treated and can get back to their home.
“This means staff can act quickly to treat or transfer a patient and allows more joined-up working across the hospital, easing pressure on A&E departments.”
The board also took the opportunity of the Health Secretary’s visit to show off its Steps to Better Healthcare programme.
This encompasses projects ranging from medicines management to treating chronic pain.
Mr Watson said: “We are committed to keep improving and redesigning our services, but we can’t do it on our own. We will always need the public’s help to get it right.”