THE QUALITY AGENDA / IMPLEMENTING DARZI

The Darzi Next Steps Review galvanised an array of changes into a co-ordinated direction of travel and the workforce implications are set out clearly in the workforce report.  A number of national bodies are collaborating to support implementation of the Review and the Department of Health published a progress report High Quality Care for All: our journey so far on 30 June 2009.  The National Quality Board has been established to ensure alignment of quality across the NHS.

Sir David Nicholson, NHS Chief Executive, set out the QIPP (Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention) challenge for the NHS - DH QIPP letter August 2009. The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement is currently developing a website tool which will identify key NHS Institute resources to support the NHS in delivering QIPP.

The Department of Health and NHS Information Centre have developed an evolving set of indicators to help describe the quality of services which can be accessed - click here.  'Our health, our care, our say' was the major policy document which had huge implications for the way roles and teams are organised through shifting care from acute to primary and community services.  The Department has subsequently published a plan for the NHS for the next five years - NHS 2010-2015: from good to great – in December 2009 emphasising personalisation and prevention to deliver high quality care. 

'Towards the Best, Together' is the NHS East of England regional Darzi vision and implementation plan for the next decade.  Click here for the latest information.   Strategic Health Authorities are currently refreshing their regional visions for submission by April 2010.  Three key areas with associated workstreams have been identified in delivering the Quality and Productivity Challenge:

• Commissioning and pathways (including long term conditions, urgent care and end of life care)
• Provider Efficiency
• System Enablers

For further information, go to the High Quality Care For All Next Stage Review Implementation website at:  http://www.ournhs.nhs.uk.

Other useful links:

• Waiting Times.  Development work is being undertaken by Department of Health, Skills for Health,  the NHS Institute and Strategic Health Authorities.
• Patient Choice – see the Department of Health Patient Choice web page.  See also the NHS Direct website and NHS Choices. The Picker Institute writes extensively on this area - see:http://www.pickereurope.org.
• The NHS Constitution was a recommendation arising from the Next Steps Review and sets down a series of rights, pledges and responsibilities for staff and patients - click here.
• Transforming community services. The Department of Health published transformational guides on 6 clinical and service areas:
  o Services for children, young people and families
  o Health, well-being and reducing inequalities
  o People with long term conditions
  o Acute care closer to home
  o Rehabilitation services
  o End of life care

To access the guides, click here.

PRODUCTIVITY

The Department of Health has stated that the NHS needs to make savings and productivity gains of £15 – £20 billion over the period 2011/12 – 2013/14.

In June 2009, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) published its report on public service output and productivity. Its report - Public Service Output and Productivity (1997 – 2007) - shows that NHS productivity fell over the 10 years by 0.4% (mean average) but started to improve in 2006 and 2007 by 0.7% and 1.1% respectively.  To access the ONS publications web page - click here. 

To find out how training Apprenticeships can contribute to meeting the QIPP agenda, go to the Apprenticeship page on this website.

Other useful links:

• NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement – The Productive Series. This set of programmes includes the Productive Ward, the Productive Mental Health Ward, the Productive Community Hospital, the Productive Leader, the Productive Operating Theatre and the Productive Community Service and is aimed at supporting staff in redesigning and improving service delivery.  To access, click here.  The Institute is developing a web tool which brings together its key products to support the delivery of QIPP - see further - http://www.institute.nhs.uk/cost_and_quality/qipp/cost_and_quality_homepage.html
• Department of Health – Productive time.  This is about maximising staff input on activities which improve patient services.  For further information, click here.
• NHS Evidence launched a quality and productivity page in December 2009 –
  http://www.library.nhs.uk/qualityandproductivity
• For the latest information on the quality and productivity challenge, go to: http://www.ournhs.nhs.uk. 

INNOVATION

The NHS Innovation Fund of £220million investment in innovation over 5 years was announced by the Department of Health on 27 April 2009.  £2m will be allocated to each SHA in 2009/2010, with £5m to each for the following fours years to support the development of innovative ideas by NHS staff.  Click here to access the  DH Innovation web page.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) launched NHS Evidence on 30 April 2009.  It provides an on-line resource for users to access both clinical and non-clinical evidence and best practice.  To access, click here.  NHS Evidence accreditation scheme recognises organisations that achieve high standards in producing health or social care guidance.  For further information, click here.   To register for the free monthly e-bulletin on new evidence and its implications for practice - click here. 

Other useful links:

• Department of Health - Health Innovation and Education Clusters (HIECs).  The first 17 HIECs (cross sector partnerships between NHS organisations, education and business) were announced in December 2009 and will be supported by funding of £11m.  They will provide professional education and training and promote innovation.  The two successful applicants from the East of England were Cambridge University Health Partners Regional HIEC and Norfolk and Waveney HIEC.  For further information, click here. 
• FAST (Foundation of Assistive Technology).  The latest Department of Health report on R&D activity carried out by, or on behalf of, all Government departments relating to equipment to support the disabled and those suffering from long term conditions is available at Assistive Technology.  Full information on R&D projects relating to AT funded by the Government, business and the voluntary sector can be found on the FAST (Foundation of Assistive Technology) website.
• NHS Institute Alert is the name of the NHS Institute current awareness bulletin highlighting the latest research and publications.  To sign up to receive the bulletin and to find out more, click here. 

RESOURCE GUIDE

To access further information on new roles and teams, including workforce planning and design, see section 6 of the Resource Guide.