New guide to NHS modernisation launched
A definitive guide to modernising the NHS was launched this week by the NHS Modernisation Agency.
The guide (PDF 490K)
sets out 10 key principles of modernisation, called “The
10 high impact changes for service improvement and delivery”. They
are evidence-based, and take a “systems” approach rather
than focussing on different sectors or professions.
The 10 high impact changes
· Treat day surgery rather than inpatient surgery as the norm
for elective surgery
· Improve access to key diagnostic tests
· Manage variation in patient discharge from hospital
· Manage variation in patient admission to hospital
· Avoid unnecessary follow-ups for patients and provide necessary
follow-ups in the right care setting
· Increase the reliability of performing therapeutic interventions
through using a “care bundle” approach
· Apply a systematic approach to care for people with long-term
conditions
· Improve patient access by reducing the number of queues
· Optimise patient flow through service bottlenecks by using “process
templates”
· Redesign and extend roles to attract and retain an effective
workforce |
The guide offers a
number of opportunities for pharmacists. In particular, around
discharge from hospital, chronic disease management and role redesign.
Variation
in discharge from hospital is a problem identified by the guide.
It says that length of patient stay is highly variable and unpredictable.
However, it notes that the discharge process is in the health service’s
control so there is significant opportunity to redesign the system. Some
of its suggestions include establishing regular decision-making ward
rounds, identifying and planning around lead-in times for discharge (eg,
for test results, medicines and transport), and matching the time of
discharge with the time that beds are required (PJ, 4 September, p307).
How patients with chronic conditions are managed needs to be changed,
the guide states. Instead, a more pro-active, systematic approach underpinned
by good prevention is needed. This includes recognising the role that
self-care plays, providing systematic disease management and care planning,
and providing case management for those at high risk of deterioration. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Acrobat
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