Health plans signal greater patient power

A fundamental shift in power from Whitehall to patients and professionals is the main thrust of the Government’s health plans.
Under proposals in the health white paper, published on 12th July, patients will get more choice and control, so that services are more responsive and designed around them, rather than patients having to fit around services. Improving the quality of care will become the main purpose of the NHS.
The white paper details a range of proposals to reform the NHS, as well as a raft of policies designed to make £20 billion of efficiency savings over the next four years.
Some of the key measures are outlined below, including those that are likely to have an impact on the third sector:
• There is a clear commitment to enabling “any willing provider” to deliver healthcare services, as well as a confirmation of the Government’s intention to extend payment by results, rewarding quality and efficiency. There is an explicit pledge to create “the largest social enterprise sector in the world”, giving more opportunities for NHS staff spin-offs. All NHS trusts will become foundation trusts which will be regulated in the same way as any other provider, whether from the voluntary or private sector.
• A theme throughout the white paper is a shift towards preventative health, with obvious positive implications for the role of the third sector. In particular, there is a push towards “breaking down barriers between health and social care funding”.
• A new ‘outcomes framework’ will be introduced to replace ‘top-down’ targets. This will specify a number of outcomes that organisations delivering healthcare should be working towards and “leaving professionals to understand how these can be achieved”. (The examples of minimising avoidable hospital infections and increasing the number of stroke victims able to live independently were given.)
• Consortia of GPs will be given the responsibility for commissioning “the great majority of NHS services” in their local area. These will be overseen by a newly-established “independent and accountable” NHS Board.
• Wherever possible, the Government intends to publish information on services on a commissioner basis, including public assessments of how well commissioners are performing. Transparency is a major theme of the white paper with individuals being given control over their health records. Proposals include people being able to share their records with third parties, including third sector support groups, who can help them understand their records and manage their condition better.
• There is a specific commitment to extending personal budgets and offering patients real choice over their provider, their consultant-led team, GP practice and treatment.
• Primary care trusts and strategic health authorities will both be phased out by 2013 with local authorities taking on a range of new responsibilities. These include promoting integration and partnership working between the NHS, social care, public health and other local services and strategies; leading joint strategic needs assessments and promoting collaboration on local commissioning plans; and building partnerships for service changes and priorities.
A health bill will be published later in the year.

[from: ACEVO Policy and Advocacy]

♦ An 'easy read' guide to the white paper and is attached, while VSNW's briefing #36 outlines the possible implications for the voluntary sector.