National Centre for Sustainable Delivery Summer Newsletter
Welcome to the Summer 2026 Newsletter for the Centre for Sustainable Delivery.
Centre for Sustainable Delivery Newsletter
Improving care across Scotland
The Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) works with NHS Boards and national partners to improve access to care, reduce waiting times and support better outcomes for patients across Scotland.
This edition highlights new pathways, innovations and programmes helping improve care, support earlier diagnosis and create a more sustainable health service.
Respiratory Care
National pathway supports consistent care for people with severe asthma
The first national Severe Asthma Pathway for NHS Scotland has been published to support a consistent approach to referral, assessment and treatment across the country.
Developed with clinicians and healthcare professionals from across Scotland, the pathway aims to reduce variation in care and improve outcomes for people living with severe asthma.
The pathway will help ensure more patients can access the right care at the right time, no matter where they live.
Read the Severe Asthma Pathway
Eye Care
New guide supports faster access to cataract treatment
A new national guide has been developed to support the safe implementation of Immediate Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery, where appropriate patients can have both eyes treated during the same visit.
The approach can improve patient experience, increase service capacity and help reduce waiting times for cataract treatment across Scotland.
The guide provides practical support for NHS Boards looking to implement this approach locally.
Read the cataract surgery guide
Cancer Care
Updated referral guidance supports earlier diagnosis
New national guidance has been published to support the management of urgent suspicion of cancer referrals.
The guidelines help patients access the right care more quickly and support a consistent national approach across Scotland.
Improving referral pathways is an important part of ensuring people receive faster diagnosis and treatment.
Read the cancer referral guidance
National programme helps people feel stronger before and during cancer treatment
Work is continuing to support people living with cancer through Scotland's national prehabilitation programme.
Delivered in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support and the Scottish Government, the programme provides personalised support tailored to an individual's needs, including physical activity, nutrition and wellbeing support.
Evidence shows this type of support can improve recovery and help people cope better with treatment.
Read more about the prehabilitation programme
Scotland's cancer programmes showcased at international conference
Scotland's work to improve cancer pathways, support earlier diagnosis and reduce inequalities was showcased at the Cancer and Primary Care Research International Network (Ca-PRI) conference in the Netherlands.
Read More about Cancer Improvement and Earlier Diagnostics
Women's Health
Webinar shares learning on women’s health pathways
Healthcare professionals from across Scotland recently joined a national webinar focused on endometriosis and post-menopausal bleeding pathways.
The session provided an opportunity to share learning, explore current challenges and discuss ways to improve access to care.
The event also supported collaboration between clinicians and service improvement teams working in women's health.
Diabetes Care
Type 2 diabetes remission
The national Diabetes Remission Programme was showcased during Diabetes Awareness Week and at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's Diabetes Managed Clinical Network Conference.
The programme supports individuals to make lifestyle changes that can improve their health and, in some cases, lead to remission of their condition.
Find out more about the Diabetes Remission Programme
Personalised Medicine and Genomics
New test helps protect newborn babies from hearing loss
A national pharmacogenetics programme is helping identify newborn babies who may be at increased risk of hearing loss from a commonly used antibiotic.
The test provides rapid results, helping clinicians make informed treatment decisions and supporting safer care for babies across Scotland.
Implementation continues to expand across NHS Boards as part of wider innovation activity.
Find out more about neonatal testing
Genetic testing supports personalised stroke treatment
A second pharmacogenetics programme is helping clinicians identify which patients are most likely to benefit from a commonly prescribed stroke medicine.
The approach supports more personalised treatment decisions and helps ensure patients receive the most effective medication for their individual needs.
The programme forms part of wider work to embed genomics and personalised medicine within routine care.
Find out more about stroke testing
Sustainable Healthcare
New tool helps reduce emissions from healthcare travel
The tool provides valuable insight into travel-related emissions and supports planning to reduce the carbon footprint of healthcare services.
This work contributes to wider efforts to create a more sustainable NHS.
Planned Care Improvement
National toolkit supports better management of waiting lists
The Patient Management and Assessment Toolkit is helping NHS Scotland teams better understand demand, manage waiting lists and improve patient flow.
By providing consistent data and planning tools, the toolkit supports local decision-making and helps identify opportunities to improve access to care.
The work continues to support national efforts to reduce waiting times and improve services for patients.
