Publication: Orthopaedic services - Audit scope

Orthopaedics is a large, complex speciality that provides treatments for people with injuries and conditions of the musculoskeletal system (the body’s muscles and skeleton).

National waiting times targets for inpatient and day care are repeatedly missed and orthopaedics have the largest ongoing waiting list of all hospital specialities.  This means people are waiting too long – often in pain - which impacts not just their physical and mental health, but also their quality of life, mobility and economic productivity.

This audit will consider the efficiency and effectiveness of the management and delivery of inpatient and day care orthopaedic services by NHS Boards and the Scottish Government.