Vision

High Quality Care for All

Professor Lord Darzi provided a taste of his vision of the NHS for the next 10 years in June 2008 with the publication of High Quality Care for all: NHS Next Stage Review final report.

His report recognises that great improvements over the past 10 years can be attributed to the hard work of NHS staff. He stresses that his vision has been, and will continue to be, shaped by users, providers and commissioners of care, as well as the expectations of the public.

Darzi does not want to change the direction of reform and believes it should be seen 'through to its conclusion'. He estimates that we are currently 'two thirds' of the way through the reform process that began in 2000. However, rather than incremental change at the current rate, he advocates an acceleration towards an ambitious vision of a patient-centred, clinician-led, locally driven NHS.

Core of Darzi's vision for the next stage of reform

While not advocating changing funding or structure, Darzi strongly pushes for a shift in the focus of reform in two ways:

• moving the focus of control from the centre to local communities, in
particular towards clinicians and patients themselves
(the centre should 'support local change not instruct it')

• moving the focus from the quantitative business of targets to the
qualitative business of a 'relentless' focus on improving the quality of
care and the quality of the patient experience of care.

Achievement of more ambitious levels of change involves tackling the negative perceptions of the public, the disillusionment of staff, and giving more 'clout' to patients. These three factors in healthcare are at the centre of his thinking and recommendations.

Achieving the vision: immediate actions and longer term considerations

The report is structured into five areas for improvement:

1. A fair NHS - equity of access, outcomes and treatment quality

2. A personalised NHS - tailoring care to patient needs and
preferences

3. An effective NHS - improving outcomes and harnessing the latest
techniques and technologies

4. A safe NHS - stepping up infection control powers

5. A locally accountable NHS - reconfigurations should be based on
clinical case for change

High Quality Care for All sets a new foundation for a health service that empowers staff and gives patients choice. It ensures that health care will be personalised and fair, include the most effective treatments within a safe system, and help patients to stay healthy.

Read more on Lord Darzi’s blog: http://www.ournhs.nhs.uk/2008/05/12/shas-set-to-launch-vision-documents/