Perioperative
Perioperative Framework
In 2023, the Scottish Government commissioned the Centre of Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) to address the challenges within perioperative services in Scotland.
As a result, the Perioperative Delivery Group (PDG) was established by the Modernising Patient Pathways Programme (MPPP) in November 2023, with the aim of developing a national approach to:
· Maximising flow through perioperative services
· Maximising productive time in theatres
· Reducing the time patients wait for perioperative services
The PDG comprises of clinical, operational and managerial experts from perioperative services across Scotland, as well as representatives from key stakeholder organisations.
We are pleased to publish the Framework for Perioperative Services in Scotland.
This Framework has been co-designed in collaboration with clinical, operational and managerial experts from perioperative services across NHS Scotland.
This Framework brings together a set of national principles focused on:
· Wider Perioperative Team Development
· High-Volume High-Flow Surgery and Data for Improvement
These principles support the delivery of high-quality, safe, effective, person-centred and sustainable perioperative services for the people of Scotland.
Health boards should seek senior executive sponsorship to support any service redesign or local improvement programme.
Senior teams, clinicians and managers are encouraged to review the Framework in full and use local data to identify the greatest opportunities for improvement.
In addition to the key actions outlined in the Framework, teams should access the embedded links in each section.
These provide further detail and practical resources to support implementation in each focus area.
A Self-assessment Tool (Microsoft Word version) has also been developed to help Health Boards benchmark their current position and support the development of local action plans for implementation.
An Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) has been completed and accompanies the framework.
Perioperative Delivery Group – National face‑to‑face meeting
In August 2024, colleagues from Health Boards across Scotland came together in Stirling for a national, face‑to‑face meeting of the Perioperative Delivery Group (PDG).
The event focused on bringing the Framework for Perioperative Services in Scotland to life - creating space for shared learning, data‑driven discussion and practical planning to support local implementation. Clinical, operational and managerial leaders shared experiences from their services, explored variation using data, and identified actions to take forward over the short, medium and longer term.
As we reflect on that day, we are now sharing key outputs to support continued learning and implementation across NHS Scotland.
The Flash Report summarises key themes, discussion points and agreed actions from the PDG face‑to‑face meeting. It is intended to support Health Boards as they continue embedding the perioperative framework locally.