Audit Scotland is an independent body responsible for ensuring that public money is used economically, efficiently and effectively. http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk en-gb Copyright 2010, Audit Scotland. webmaster@audit-scotland.gov.uk http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_national.php Residential child care services should be managed better to help children and young people achieve their full potential. Councils also need a better understanding of the costs involved, so they can consider how their services provide value for money and possible efficiencies. Thu, 02 September 2010 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_national.php The first in a new series of publications, this report provides checklists, examples and other information to help councils assess their current working practices. Thu, 26 August 2010 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/health_national.php An Audit Scotland report, Emergency departments, says patient satisfaction with emergency care services is high, and four out of five patients we surveyed said the care they received was excellent or very good Thu, 12 August 2010 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/toolkits/ We have a new series of toolkits for use by auditors when carrying out Best Value (BV) audits or in a range of other work. These have been applied in a number of audits during their development phase, have now been fully updated and are available on our website. Mon, 09 August 2010 13:30:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/about/as/docs.php Download our updated quick guide to Audit Scotland, Accounts Commission and the Auditor for Scotland. Tue, 27 July 2010 15:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_national.php The work-plan for a new streamlined scrutiny system for Scotland’s councils is published today, with a 36 per cent reduction in the time scrutiny bodies spend in councils undertaking strategic scrutiny work. Thu, 01 July 2010 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/bestvalue.php The Commission welcomes the good progress made by the council since the last Best Value audit in April 2009, and urges it to continue with this as there is still much to be done Fri, 25 June 2010 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_statutory.php In light of the issues raised in this Controller of Audit's report on The Highland Council’s Caithness Heat and Power project (CHAPs), the Accounts Commission has asked for further audit work to be carried out. Thu, 24 June 2010 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/central_national.php There are important lessons to be learned by all public bodies about using the private sector to help deliver their objectives following the losses incurred through the 2009 event The Gathering. Wed, 23 June 2010 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/health_national.php The NHS in Scotland could save almost 15 per cent of the money it spends on locum doctors in hospitals – or about £6 million a year – through better planning and procurement. Thu, 17 June 2010 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/forwardwork_consult.php We are developing a more flexible approach to our national performance audit programme and are interested to hear your views on the issues you think we should look at over the next few years. Mon, 31 May 2010 15:40:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/central_national.php A national detection exercise by Audit Scotland and other public bodies has identified fraud and error overpayments, savings and other outcomes worth more than £20 million. Thu, 20 May 2010 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/bestvalue2.php?year=2010 The council works well with other organisations, is improving well already and knows what more it needs to do to improve. It now needs to develop its systems for managing its performance. Wed, 19 May 2010 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/bestvalue2.php?year=2010 The Highland Council has strong leadership and knows where it needs to improve, according to the Accounts Commission. It is also focused on issues that matter to local people and works well with partners. However, it needs to make sure it can better demonstrate value for money. Thu, 13 May 2010 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/bestvalue2.php?year=2010 Angus Council provides good services but quicker progress needed on Best Value. The council still has much to do to ensure it is organised to deliver Best Value. Wed, 12 May 2010 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue_police.php Northern Constabulary and the Northern Joint Police Board have established many of the key elements of Best Value, although some areas could be further developed. Wed, 07 Apr 2010 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue2.php Services in East Ayrshire are performing well overall and partnership working within the council area is highly effective. However, improvement is still needed in some important areas. Thu, 01 Apr 2010 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue2.php The council still needs to embed a culture of continuous improvement throughout its business and increase the pace of change. However, services are generally getting better and there is evidence that citizens are more satisfied with the council’s overall performance. Tue, 30 Mar 2010 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/health_national.php In recent years, the National Health Service in Scotland has significantly reduced the length of time people wait to receive orthopaedic procedures, but there is scope to make more efficiency savings. Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/health_national.php The NHS in Scotland has made big changes in how it manages waiting lists since 2008 and these have made the system fairer for patients. The NHS has done well to implement these complex new arrangements. Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/central_national.php Scotland’s public sector is continuing to find more efficient ways of delivering services, and its reported efficiency savings in 2008/09 exceeded the Scottish Government target by more than half. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_national.php Councils and services are improving. But the scale of the budget challenge they face means urgent action is needed. Councils need to continue to develop and implement plans to cope with the tough times ahead. Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/central_national.php In a wide-ranging report published today, Protecting and improving Scotlands environment, Audit Scotland looks at progress in improving air quality, the water environment, biodiversity and waste management. Thu, 14 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue_police.php Members of Tayside Joint Police Board need to gain a better understanding of their role before the board will be able to achieve best value. However, Tayside police force is making good progress in important areas. Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/health_national.php The financial performance of the NHS in Scotland was good over the past year, and it met most of its national targets for patient care and service improvement. However, the service faces significant financial pressures and there are deep-seated health-related problems that it cannot deal with alone. Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/central_national.php The organisers of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games are making progress in a number of key areas but now need to put in place an overall programme plan, ensure costs are under control and continue to identify and manage other risks. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/central_national.php Scotland's public sector is under the greatest financial pressure in the ten years since devolution. The Scottish Government, the Scottish Parliament and the wider public sector need to make difficult decisions about competing priorities and how best to spend tighter budgets. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue.php This report looks at progress since 2004, when this new type of audit was introduced to assess how well councils meet their Best Value duties to deliver improving services to local people. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/central_national.php The agency must learn from its experiences to date and must fully assess the risks, review the current performance and develop clear objectives Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/central_national.php Key organisations are working well together to plan for dealing with emergencies such as severe weather and the current flu pandemic. However there is still more they could do to improve their arrangements. Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue.php Aberdeen City Council has made progress since the publication of largely critical reports in 2008. There is still much to do, but the council now has a very promising base for further improvement. Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/central_national.php The public sector in Scotland is improving its purchasing and estimates it has saved more than £300 million since 2006 as a result. It could now make further savings through increased collaboration and better management. Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue.php The council has made insufficient progress with key improvement priorities. Some key services perform well, but overall progress is inhibited by political conflict and relationships between councillors, and limited development of working relationships between councillors and senior officers. External assistance is recommended. Thu, 9 Jul 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/media/article.php?id=112 The bulletin primarily aims to share information with non-executive health board members and elected members of councils, but it also provides a summary of our work that we hope will be of interest to staff working in health and community care services. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/about/as/docs.php These reports reflect our various achievements over the year and summarise the body of work Audit Scotland produced in 2008/09. Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/health_national.php Mental health problems cause considerable poor health in Scotland and much has been done to move services from institutions into the community. There now needs to be a better understanding of the care people receive and how resources to support this are best used. Thu, 14 May 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue.php The Accounts Commission says that council services have improved, there is positive leadership, good working relationships and a can do attitude. However the council still has more to do to ensure it can provide best value for local people. Wed, 13 May 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_national.php Many council buildings are in poor condition and others are unsuitable for the services being delivered from them. Councils need better strategies and systems for managing their assets. Thu, 07 May 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue.php The Accounts Commission says that while leadership at South Ayrshire Council is showing improvement and some services perform well the council has weaknesses which pose significant risks and must be addressed. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/health_national.php The NHS in Scotland is doing more to ensure that medicines are used safely in hospitals and to plan for new medicines. Better information on how medicines are used is now needed in order to improve patient care. Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue.php The Accounts Commission says Glasgow City Council continues to make progress and is encouraged by the impact this is having on the city’s people. Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/BV2/index.php This is an opportunity for all interested parties to view the Commission’s proposals for the next round of BV audits and an chance to influence how BV2 develops. Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:30:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue.php The Commission acknowledges positive aspects of performance but also serious weaknesses and says it is essential that these are addressed. Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/health_national.php Given Scotland’s problem with drugs and alcohol, a coordinated effort is needed to ensure services meet local needs and are delivered to consistent standards nationally. Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue.php The council has clear strategic direction and good self awareness. The leadership of the council now needs to maintain momentum towards further improvement. Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_national.php There is evidence of improving services, but councils face significant challenges from the recession and financial pressures, and in making partnership working achieve its full potential. Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue.php South Lanarkshire Council performs very well but needs to review and amend its arrangements Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue.php The Moray Council has made progress towards providing Best Value for local people. However there is still more work to be done and it is important that the council keeps moving forward. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/health_national.php An Audit Scotland report, Asset management in the NHS in Scotland, examines the way the health service strategically manages its £5 billion worth of land and buildings, vehicles, medical and IT equipment. Thu, 29 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_national.php Significant progress and improvements have been made by Inverclyde Council as a result of its work to address the issues raised in its initial Best Value audit report and the two follow up reports. Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/central_national.php Scotland’s central government bodies could provide better value for money through better planning and management. Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue.php The council still has much to do and must increase its pace of change to establish Best Value for local people. Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/central_national.php An Audit Scotland report, Improving energy efficiency, looks at how councils, the NHS and central government bodies are improving energy efficiency in their buildings and transport use. Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/performance/index.php The Accounts Commission has a statutory responsibility to specify information that councils must publish about their performance, in the form of statutory performance indicators (SPIs). Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/health_national.php The financial position in the NHS continues to improve overall but the service faces challenging times in the near future. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/central_national.php An Audit Scotland report, The First ScotRail passenger rail franchise, looks at how the Scottish Government’s national transport agency, Transport Scotland, is managing the rail franchise. Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/health_national.php The NHS in Scotland has significantly cut patients’ waiting times for diagnostic tests through use of targeted additional government funding and changes to how it manages and delivers services. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_national.php All councils have developed policies and processes on race equality. They now need to ensure these have a positive impact on services. Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/health_national.php The rate of day surgery continues to rise but there remains wide variation in performance among health boards. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/health_national.php Access to good palliative care in Scotland needs to improve and it must be more consistently provided for the thousands of people who need it each year. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_national.php The council is carrying out good work and has the capacity and ability to build on this, so that further improvements can be made in service performance. Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_national.php Fire and rescue authorities have made progress in reforming services, however, they still need to do much more to ensure they are working as effectively and efficiently as possible and delivering best value services. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/health_national.php The new contract for GP practices should have been better planned and will take time to improve care for patients. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/about/as/docs.php These reports reflect our various achievements over the year and summarise the body of work Audit Scotland produced in 2007/08. Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/central_national.php The Scottish Government is currently spending about £4.7 billion on projects such as roads, railways, prisons and hospitals. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue.php The Commission welcomes sound performance by Aberdeenshire Council, but says a more strategic approach is needed. Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue.php The council demonstrates effective engagement with communities and generally sound financial management but needs to do more before it is in a position fully to demonstrate Best Value and continuous improvement. Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue.php In its first report on Best Value at Orkney Islands Council, the Accounts Commission for Scotland says the council has good leadership and performs well in a number of areas. Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue.php The council shows a strong commitment to improvement, has a high level of performance and has the capacity and ability to make further improvements. Wed, 28 May 2008 09:00:00 GMT http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_bestvalue.php Falkirk Council shows good, solid performance with many characteristics of best value, while still having room for improvement in some areas. Fri, 23 May 2008 09:00:00 GMT