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:
- A fair NHS - equity of access, outcomes and treatment quality
- A personalised NHS - tailoring care to patient needs and preferences
- An effective NHS - improving outcomes and harnessing the latest techniques and technologies
- A safe NHS - stepping up infection control powers
- 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 about final report:
http://www.ournhs.nhs.uk/2008/06/30/high-quality-care-for-all-nsr-final-report-launched/
Read more on Lord Darzi’s blog: http://www.ournhs.nhs.uk/2008/05/12/shas-set-to-launch-vision-documents/