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In this list of top ten world hospitals, none from the UK are listed (link as below).
100 best rated hospitals in the world lists 10 for the UK of which one, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, is in Scotland. That's 10% of the UK total, same as the population of Scotland is roughly 10% of the UK
Best Hospitals - Top 100 Global
NHS Scotland may spend more on healthcare as prescriptions are free as are eye tests. Add to that extra costs in having to serve a smallish population spread across a large area.
For example in Orkney and Shetland NHS Scotland pays for air travel to attend hospitals on the mainland. If not receiving benefits the patient must pay just £10 towards this.
Patients travelling to Aberdeen or other mainland hospitals usually go by air. Your doctor will issue you with a Patient Travel Voucher/Ticket with your flight details.....If you are travelling with an open return, take the Travel Voucher to the staff on your ward and they will book your return travel for you.
https://www.ohb.scot.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Patient Travel Information Leaflet April 17 - Updated.pdf
Same also applies for patients from the Western Isles.
I would partially agree with technology point as there are no NHS open MRI scanners in Scotland although NHS Scotland will pay for referral to the private Newcastle Clinic (amongst others). How to get a referred for an open MRI scan from Scotland
However I'd add that open MRI scanners are also lacking in much (all?) of the NHS in England and like Scotland they will use private facilities if necessary (and if it is agreed to fund this).
I'd think that NHS Scotland has better deployed tele conferencing tech as that is used to cater for the wide area the population is spread across and the distances they will be from the main (not cottage) hospitals patients can attend a local clinic with the consultation taking place via video conference
Scotland is recognised internationally as a leader in the development and deployment of telehealth and telecare. A National Telehealth and Telecare Delivery Plan for Scotland to 2016: Driving Improvement, Integration and Innovation - gov.scot
Scotland is currently recognised as a world leader in technology enabled care, with the Scottish Centre for Telehealth and Telecare (SCTT) at the forefront of supporting service redesign, delivering digital solutions and better outcomes for our citizens
https://sctt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/EOYR_11_08_16-FINAL.pdf |
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