14.06.11
NHS Future Forum’s 16 reform recommendations
The NHS Future Forum has published its 16 recommendations on changing the NHS reforms, which moderate the pace of change, involve more healthcare professionals in commissioning, boost patients’ rights, avoid competition as an end in itself, and increase accountability.
The report also says that deaneries must “urgently” be found a new home within the NHS upon the abolition of the strategic health authorities, that the initial deadlines imposed should be relaxed, and that there must be “practical action” to reduce health inequalities.
Forum chairman Professor Steve Field, formerly chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said: “There is no doubt that the NHS needs to change. The principles underlying the Bill – devolving control to clinicians, giving patients real choices and control, and focusing on outcomes – are well supported.
“However, during our listening we heard genuine and deep-seated concerns from NHS staff, patients and the public that must be addressed if the reforms are to be progressed. If the substantial changes we propose are accepted by Government, then I think the resulting framework will place the NHS in a strong position to meet this objective and tackle the pressing challenges in the years ahead.”
BMA chairman of council Dr Hamish Meldrum, whose organisation had been one of the key opponents of the reforms, said it was “refreshing” being listened to and sounded pleased with the changes.
He said: “The Future Forum’s recommendations address many of the BMA’s key concerns, to a greater or lesser extent. We are hopeful that our ‘missing’ concerns, such as the excessive power of the NHS Commissioning Board over consortia and the so called ‘quality premium’ will be addressed as more detail emerges. While we welcome the acknowledgement that the education and training reforms need much more thinking through, there needs to be immediate action to prevent the imminent implosion of deaneries
“Obviously, the critical factor is now how the Government responds, as well as ensuring that the detail of the changes matches up to expectations. But if the Government does accept the recommendations we have heard today we will be seeing, at the least, a dramatically different Health & Social Care Bill and one that would get us onto a much better track. There will then still be plenty more to do to ensure that the amended reforms do support the NHS and its staff in continuing to improve care for patients and tackle the major financial challenges ahead.”
The NHS Alliance also welcomed the changes, with its chief executive Michael Sobanja saying: “We now need to move on and create a robust framework which will allow the reforms to flourish. Further uncertainty would only cause more difficulties for managers and clinicians, whilst delaying the drive for efficiency.
“We hope that this time we do indeed achieve a de-centralised and clinically-led NHS that does deliver on its promises. And, in the current financial climate, we cannot afford to delay or miss this urgent opportunity.”
The official set of recommendations are available at:
www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_127540.pdf
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