National Health Service organisations are to be rated using a "traffic light" system of red, amber or green status under plans for the modernisation of the NHS.
The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Alan Milburn) said that the ratings would be introduced as part of the forthcoming national plan for the NHS which is expected to be published this month. He was speaking at the NHS Confederation's conference in Glasgow on June 30.
Under the plans, green-rated units would be given extra resources and greater autonomy. They might receive new resources as of right, without needing to bid for them or to obtain regional NHS Executive approval. They might be asked to help units rated amber or red to improve their performance. Red-rated units would face "special measures", which could include external advice, support or intervention.
As the number of amber and red ratings decreased, power would pass from the centre of the NHS to local organisations, Mr Milburn said.