Our divisions

Our services are delivered through our divisions which provide the core services of our organisation.

Central Legal Office

The Central Legal Office (CLO) provides NHS Scotland with legal advice and assistance in every area of law relevant to the health service. The CLO is made up of specialist solicitors organised in a team structure, covering litigation, employment, commercial contracts and property, with specialist groups covering mental health and practitioner services law. Seminars and training courses presented by the CLO solicitors are also important aspects of the service provided by this division.

Counter Fraud Services

Counter Fraud Services (CFS) provides a full service to NHS Boards through a centrally based team of professionals dedicated to deterring, detecting and investigating fraud within NHS Scotland. Counter Fraud Services aims for a health service where fraud and corruption is reduced to an absolute minimum and where staff, patients, contractors and the wider public regard fraud against NHS Scotland as totally unacceptable.

Health Facilities Scotland

Health Facilities Scotland (HFS) provides operational guidance to NHS Scotland healthcare bodies on non-clinical topics including architecture, building, construction procurement, fire safety, estates engineering, planning, energy, environment, catering, domestic services, portering, transport and safety issues. The division aims to establish professional and technical standards and best practice procedures within NHS Scotland, including the promotion of new initiatives in the field of healthcare facilities practice and management. HFS delivers an extensive education and training programme in relation to each of the above subjects and is also responsible for the national Hazards and Safety Action Notice service for NHS Scotland, which is co-ordinated UK wide.

Health Protection Scotland

Health Protection Scotland (HPS) aims to protect the Scottish public from being exposed to hazards which damage their health and to limit any impact on health when such exposures cannot be avoided. The division continuously monitors the hazards and exposures affecting the people of Scotland and the impact these hazards have on people's health. HPS is also involved in research and development into health protection priorities as well as providing expert advice on health protection issues to NHS Scotland and the public.

Information Services Division

Information Services Division (ISD) is Scotland's national organisation for health information, statistics and IT services. ISD has developed, and is developing, systems that underpin the collection and management of information and Information Management Technology to deliver national programmes and services and support local implementation.

ISD works in partnership with health boards, hospitals, GPs, local authorities, voluntary organisations and others to analyse data to inform research, support decision making and stimulate debate, all with the ultimate aim of improving Scotland's healthcare.  

ISD is organised in a number of Programmes and Groups, which are supported by a team of Public Health Medicine Specialists.

National Procurement

National Procurement (NP) is responsible for ensuring that an efficient service of the highest standards in modern procurement practice is provided to all NHS Scotland organisations from sourcing through to the delivery of products.  The three main functions of National Procurement are Strategic Sourcing, eProcurement and Systems and Logistics and is supported by a Programme Office and support services.  Strategic Sourcing focuses on negotiating national contracts for health service products and services.  eProcurement and Systems are implementing a common eProcurement system for NHS Scotland which offers its users access to a variety of tools to support both strategic and transactional procurement.  Logistics is based around managed distribution systems capable of bringing major benefits. It will simplify the physical supply chain at both local and national level, release clinical staff from ordering processes, and save millions of pounds for NHS Scotland every year.

National Services Division

National Services Division (NSD) is responsible for commissioning and performance managing national screening programmes and specialist clinical services on behalf of NHS Scotland. The division co-ordinates the pregnancy, newborn, diabetic and cervical screening programmes across Scotland. The specialist services commissioned by NSD are crucial to the diagnosis and treatment of rare conditions such as cystic fibrosis, congenital heart disease and decompression illness. NSD also funds a number of specialised services in England on behalf of NHS Boards.

Practitioner Services

Practitioner Services (PSD) is responsible for the verification and payment to NHS Primary Care dentists, doctors, opticians and pharmacists for the treatment and services they provide to the people of Scotland. The division also undertakes probity assurance checks on behalf of NHS Boards for dentists and opticians and maintains a national database of NHS Scotland patient registrations.  PSD work closely with the Scottish Government in the implementation of legislative and regulatory changes, as well as monitoring standards to ensures consistency in patient care. The services of PSD are provided from eight sites across Scotland.

Scottish Health Service Centre

The Scottish Health Service Centre (SHSC) offers professional and administrative services, including events management and conference facilities. The centre also provides support services to NHS Scotland national committees and hosts the Health Management Library for Scotland.

Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service

The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) is the specialist provider of transfusion medicine in Scotland, supplying high quality blood, tissues, products and services. SNBTS works with communities, hospitals and professionals to ensure that donations are used wisely and effectively for the benefit of patients. The division is also involved in innovative research into new products, technologies and services to improve the care for transfusion patients in NHS Scotland.