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Hospitals that fail to satisfy patients could lose millions
HOSPITALS which leave patients dissatisfied could lose up to £9m a year under Government plans to give people more power over the NHS.
Ministers hope the move, part of Health Minister Ara Darzi's review of the NHS, will improve standards as he pledged to end the era of "top-down" targets imposed by Whitehall.
Lord Darzi said between 7m and 9m of funding for a district general hospital – with average budgets of 250m – will be down to patient satisfaction, such as the results of questionnaires filled in after treatment, along with in-fection rates and clinical results.
"For the first time patients' own assessments of the success of their treatment and the quality of their experiences will have a direct impact on the way hospitals are funded," he said.
Yesterday's report, published after a year-long review and re-leased to mark the 60th anniversary of the NHS, also outlined plans to give patients a greater choice of GP and treatment in a bid to ensure a "quality" service.
"Clinical dashboards" – displaying information such as how quickly patients are seen or satisfaction levels – will be developed for areas like Accident and Emergency departments.
Patients with long-term conditions will agree personal care plans, while 5,000 will be able to choose what treatment to comm-ission through personal budgets.
Preventing illness – by cutting obesity, danger drinking and smoking – will be a priority for the NHS to ease the strain on services.
The 12-month review involved consultations with 60,000 patients and staff. The Prime Minister hailed it as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to make the NHS a world leader.
A draft NHS constitution enshrining rights and responsibilities aims to end "postcode lotteries" by giving everyone the right to drugs and treatment approved by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, while patients will be allowed to seek treatment elsewhere in Europe if they endure "undue delays".
Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "These locally driven, clinically-led plans show how quality of care will be raised right across the country, with doctors and nurses supported to offer big improvements in treatment at the bedside."
But Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said there was a "complete lack of vision" in the proposals. "The Government has missed its 'once-in-a-generation opportunity' to enact the real reform that our NHS needs."
KEY POINTS IN DARZI REVIEW
More choice for patients over GPs and treatment
Patients have say over up to 9m of hospital funding
Hospitals to publish "quality accounts" showing standard of care provided
End to postcode lottery for drugs and treatment
Quicker approval for new drugs
5,000 people with long-term conditions to be given personal budgets to decide own treatment
More emphasis on preventing illness
Draft NHS constitution sets out rights and responsibilities
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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