RCN welcomes government proposals to put patients at centre of healthcare reform
Published: 16 May 2008
The government has announced details of the National Health Service reform bill in its draft legislative programme. The draft proposals include publishing the NHS constitution and linking hospital funding to performance, by using patient experience to measure quality of care. The NHS reform bill will also introduce more choice for patients.
Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, welcomed this range of measures as "a sign that the government is listening to the concerns of nurses on wider issues such as access to training, the cost of living and problems getting onto the housing ladder".
He added that:
“It is encouraging to see that the Government clearly recognises that any future change in the NHS must be driven by the needs of patients and based on the knowledge of staff. The RCN has been calling for quality to be at the heart of healthcare delivery and design for some time and we welcome proposals to make payment for NHS services related to patient satisfaction and health outcomes."
Dr Carter stated that it is important for patients to know what services they are entitled to no matter where they live. However he voiced concerns about having an NHS constitution that only defines minimum standards, saying: "patients may run the risk of only receiving a minimum service".
"As the health service prepares to celebrate its 60th birthday we need to ensure that NHS founding principles are enshrined to protect the health service for future generations".
The final wording of the NHS reform bill is subject to recommendations in Lord Darzi's review, which is due to be published in the summer.
Dr Carter commented:
"We look forward to seeing more detail of these encouraging draft proposals and working with the government to achieve a better future for both patients and NHS staff.”