It is our responsibility to monitor, protect and improve the health of the people who live in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
With a population of around 800,000, our staff are caring for the second-largest residential population in Scotland. But many of our services also extend to patients from all over the country.
NHS Lothian provides a wide range of specialist services for people from across Scotland, including liver and kidney transplantation, neo-natal intensive care, cancer services and complex surgery.
We invest around £1 billion a year in health care services, which are aimed at preventing ill health wherever possible, and are provided by local health centres and hospitals.
Health services cannot be provided in isolation, however. NHS Lothian is committed to forging closer links with our partners in care, and we work with local authorities – including the City of Edinburgh Council, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian councils – to support and inform their work to improve health through better housing, social work and environmental health services.
Tackling inequalities in access to health services is a major priority for NHS Lothian, as is engaging with patients, staff and local communities to ensure that their views are the driving force behind the continuing improvement of our services.
