10.09.19
NHS Providers report reveals optimism, but work still to be done
NHS Providers have released a new report revealing that there is optimism among NHS trust leaders about the move towards closer working between NHS England and NHS Improvement.
In particular, the NHS regulation and oversight: a time of transition report showed that opportunities the new relationship was presenting for improving efficiency and shifting cultures towards improvement support were greatly received.
However, the report also showed that only 39% of trust leaders felt the overall regulatory approach adopted by NHS England, NHS Improvement and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) was working well.
Respondents to the survey showed a relative consensus in feeling NHS Improvement had a good understanding of the pressures facing trusts, NHS England did not demonstrate this. Opinion on the CQC varied from trust to trust, with their average scoring almost straight down the middle.
READ MORE: NHS Providers survey: Trust leaders lament lack of investment
READ MORE: NHS Providers head of policy calls for 'culture shift within NHS' to implement Patient Safety Strategy
Commenting on the findings of the report, NHS Providers director of policy and strategy Miriam Deakin said: “Our findings reflect a time of transition for the sector in the way it is regulated. Trusts are optimistic that NHS England, NHS Improvement and the CQC can rise to the challenge of creating new oversight models which better reflect system level partnerships.
“These improvements will be derived from closer and more efficient working between NHS England and NHS Improvement.
“However the move towards system working and the new joint working arrangements between NHS England and NHS Improvement are creating uncertainty for trust leaders. The regulators will need to continue to adapt their approach to reflect the needs of providers within the context of system working.
“Trust leaders also continue to have mixed feelings over the current approach being taken by the regulators. We have seen a small fall in the number of trusts that think the system is working well while a significant majority continue to see it as poor value for money.