Darzi army
Released 30/06/2008
The Next Stage Review focuses on outcomes, and choice. By Suzannah Wright
After months of consultations and speculations, Lord Darzi's Next Stage Review has finally been published. As I wade through my print outs to find the bits of relevance to your role - and work out what they practically mean, I thought I'd take some time to review the initial reactions.
From the BMA, a characteristically cautious comment. Chairman Hamish Meldrum wisely says: "There is much here that could bring about improvement - if it can be delivered. There is much that will depend on the details..."
From the NHS Confederation, acting chief executive Steve Barnett was positive: "In particular, we think the combination of three powerful ideas running through the report could make a major difference: patients being aware of their rights, choices and information; industrial scale feedback and measurement of quality and patient experience; and, capitalising on the motivation of NHS professionals to provide the best possible care with peer review and competitiveness. Together this should provide an additional powerful motor for change in the NHS."
We await response from other NHS associations including AMSPAR and the IHM, but as soon as we know their views we'll let you know.
And what of the press? The Guardian, calling this a revolution, is leading with the new legal right for patients to choose their GP, while the Times focuses on the proposed hospital fines. As I write this, the Telegraph is yet to comment, and the Daily Mail is leading with the outcome linked funding for hospitals, albeit with a rather negative slant.
But what about you - I want to know what the practice manager on the ground thinks of all this...do join me on the forums or email me to let me know your views.