07.03.13
Limit hospital care to critically ill – NHS Confederation
Hospital care should be reserved for those with life-threatening conditions, or those needing complex surgery, a new report suggests.
The NHS Confederation has published a paper suggesting that a shift from the “default setting” of treating everyone in hospital to more care in the community could be more clinically effective with a better use of resources.
Funding for health and social care must support this transfer, the paper argues, with payment systems in place to reward prevention, early intervention and integrated working.
Recommendations include developing 24/hour access for community health services; community-based rehabilitation programmes and greater use of assistive technology such as telehealth and telecare.
Jo Webber, interim director of policy at the NHS Confederation, said: “Changing how we think and respond to circumstances is never easy, but never before has the scale of change required been like that currently facing the health and social care system.
“For too long, the default setting when we think about health care or support is to think of a hospital. But in reality, acute hospitals – whether major teaching sites or local district generals – are rarely the best place for someone who needs ongoing health or treatment. There are already groundbreaking services in place in some parts of the country, which are transforming patient experience and quality of care, as well as contributing to making the NHS more efficient overall.
“It is time we started thinking differently right across the country, and making sure investment supports innovative service delivery that supports patients' independence and recovery.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]