In March 2005, the UK Department of Health published ‘Creating a Patient led NHS’, a document that recognised the tremendous strides forward that the NHS has made towards achieving better access, improving quality of services and patient safety. The document also sets out the aspiration to move towards a system-wide approach to reform that will deliver greater local autonomy, more choice for patients and more personalised care.
Less central direction inevitably emphasises the roles and responsibilities of local leaders. With this is mind, PA Consulting Group asked chief executives for their views on the reform agenda, impact on service, their perceptions of the challenges ahead and their confidence in delivery. Overall, the response makes for encouraging reading for patients, policymakers and the Government.
Chief executives are broadly enthusiastic about the reform agenda, and believe that it is good news for services and patients alike. Most believe that, provided it can be delivered, the reform agenda will make things better – or much better– for patients.
Of course, there were some exceptions to this optimism. Chief executives are divided about the value of new staff contracts, practice-based commissioning and plurality of provision. Overall, responses from Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) were generally more positive than those given by providers – reflecting perhaps greater nervousness about a more competitive future among providers.
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