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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Annual check for nation's health | Annual check for nation's health |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A public review will take place every year to monitor the state of Scotland's health, the first minister has said. | |
| Jack McConnell unveiled the move at a World Health Organisation (WHO) conference in Edinburgh. | |
| The review will examine the country's health needs and look at the priorities for the coming year in a bid to better prioritise and co-ordinate action. | The review will examine the country's health needs and look at the priorities for the coming year in a bid to better prioritise and co-ordinate action. |
| The announcement came as Health Minister Andy Kerr publishes the first annual health improvement report. | |
| It said the number of premature deaths from heart disease had fallen by 45% in the last decade. | It said the number of premature deaths from heart disease had fallen by 45% in the last decade. |
| This new, very public, annual check-up will be a way to rigorously examine what has been done Jack McConnellFirst Minister | This new, very public, annual check-up will be a way to rigorously examine what has been done Jack McConnellFirst Minister |
| Ben McKendrick, policy and public affairs manager with the British Heart Foundation in Scotland, described the figure as an "immense achievement". | Ben McKendrick, policy and public affairs manager with the British Heart Foundation in Scotland, described the figure as an "immense achievement". |
| He said it was "heartening" to see that work on health improvement was paying off. | He said it was "heartening" to see that work on health improvement was paying off. |
| "However, there is still a long way to go as too many Scots are still dying prematurely from heart disease," he added. | "However, there is still a long way to go as too many Scots are still dying prematurely from heart disease," he added. |
| The report also highlights initiatives like the ban on smoking in public places, improved school meals and the alcohol test purchasing pilot scheme. | The report also highlights initiatives like the ban on smoking in public places, improved school meals and the alcohol test purchasing pilot scheme. |
| READ THE REPORT Delivering a Healthy Scotland [28KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | |
| Mr McConnell told the conference that most Scots shared his vision of a "healthier, happier, more productive Scotland". | |
| He said an annual public review would be held, based on the health improvement report. | |
| "This new, very public, annual check-up will be a way to rigorously examine what has been done, so that our health improves and our economy grows," he said. | |
| "To turn around the reality and the perception of the personal health of Scots, we need to step up our efforts, create a shared national purpose and check against progress each year." | "To turn around the reality and the perception of the personal health of Scots, we need to step up our efforts, create a shared national purpose and check against progress each year." |
| The review will bring in expertise from outside the health service and attempt to harness a "more rounded" approach to addressing health needs. | The review will bring in expertise from outside the health service and attempt to harness a "more rounded" approach to addressing health needs. |
| The first minister also outlined what was being done to tackle problems with alcohol, children's health and workplace matters. | |
| "We have gone from the sick man of Europe to a country receiving international plaudits for innovative approaches to health and health improvement," he added. |