25.05.16
Clear accountability needed in LHE decision making, says NHS Improvement
There must be clear lines of accountability for decisions as providers start to work more closely with partners in their local health economy, NHS Improvement has said in newly published draft guidance.
In the guidance, NHS Improvement says that NHS trusts and foundation trusts need to work with other health and social care organisations in order to implement the Five Year Forward View, which aims to promote a holistic approach to healthcare to prevent health problems developing.
It says that providers must ensure they play their part in implementing local plans to improve the quality and sustainability of care across an area, and take part in local forums for decision making where they exist, for instance in devolved areas.
It also recommends they work collaboratively with partners to build a shared understanding of patient needs and system challenges, and design improvements to meet them, for example through information sharing, a new care model or a sustainability and transformation plan.
The guidance also says providers and local health economy partners should ensure that the scope of issues, decision-making level, rationale, method of engagement and means of accountability for decision-making are clearly and appropriately defined.
Additionally, there should be clear consideration and articulation of why decisions are in the interest of patients and organisations. And decisions should be taken at the most appropriate level. For example, provider, groups of providers or commissioners.
In board meeting papers released ahead of NHS England’s board meeting tomorrow, the national body warns that very few providers are meeting the ‘scale and pace’ required to implement their sustainability and transformation plan.
A report from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, published on Monday, warned that the Five Year Forward View may already be outdated as a means of coping with the growing NHS deficit.
NHS Improvement said it would like to hear the views on the draft guidance and the intent behind it. Comments should be sent to [email protected] by 20 June 2016.
Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become an NHE columnist? If so, click here.