NHS standards to replace plethora of targets
A smaller range of core and developmental standards for the NHS is set to replace a wide range of current targets.
Health Secretary John Reid, launching a consultation on the standards
this week, admitted that current targets “have been a complex multiplicity,
often seemingly random, and they can be bewildering and frustrating to
busy clinicians”.
The new standards are intended to cover the entire spectrum of NHS work.
There are 24 core standards that set a level of care that can be expected
by all NHS patients, regardless of where they are being treated. There
are then 10 development standards intended to raise the overall quality
of care. They are all divided into seven domains: safety (including safe
handling of medicines), clinical and cost effectiveness, governance,
patient focus, accessibility and responsiveness of care, care environment
and amenities, and public health. The new standards should take effect
from April 2005 and consultation on them runs until 4 May. Responses
can be sent to Standards Consultation, Room 531B, Department of Health,
Skipton House, 80 London Road, London SE1 6LH (e-mail standards.consultation@doh.gsi.gov.uk). |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal