new NHS priorities

[Guest guest]

A new funding framework has just been announced to target health inequalities, and the 2009-2010 operating framework is due to be released this week.  According to the DH website:"The NHS Operating Framework for 2009-10, which sets out NHS priorities for the next year will also be published this week. It will help deliver Lord Darzi's vision as set out in his report, High Quality Care for All.The top five NHS priorities in the Operating Framework will be: 1. Improving standards of cleanliness and tackling healthcare associated infections.2. Improving access to care through the achievement of the 18-week referral to treatment pledge and improving access to GP services, including at evenings and at weekends.3. Improving the health of adults and children and reducing health inequalities, by focusing on improving care for cancer and stroke, and paying particular attention to children's health, particularly in the most deprived areas of the country.4. Improving patient experience, staff satisfaction and engagement.5. Preparing to respond in a state of emergency, such as an outbreak of pandemic influenza.In line with Lord Darzi's review of the NHS, PCTs will set their own additional local targets based on evidence about local needs.Efficiency savings can be delivered by enabling the NHS to design services locally that are led by clinicians and based on the needs of patients and communities."Will making children's health a priority help focus minds on health visiting posts, I wonder? sarahcowley183@...http://myprofile.cos.com/S124021COn

[Guest guest]

Wonder how we're meant to improve children's health when we don't

even know what the baseline is?. These target things are getting a

bit fluffy, IMO.

But every little helps and even stopping the rot in services and loss

of properly qualified staff would make a difference in some areas. I

gather the north of England is in better shape than here in the

south.

H

[Guest guest]

,

I am glad child health improvement is a priority, and the "most deprived areas" sound like another go at Health Action Zones but re-branded. Both Tyneside and Lambeth HAZs made some good starts with child health but were cut short because Alan Milburn wanted Quick Wins. Meeting the current Inequalities target to reduce infant deaths will not be quick, but will need Health Visiting skills!

Item 4 gives me the most food for thought, because we really really need Wanless' "fully engaged" public to improve health, but Darzi and have never really shown much understanding of this emancipatory leap....

Wishing all Senators a Great Leap Forward in 2009,

Woody.

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of CowleySent: 08 December 2008 21:06 Subject: new NHS priorities

A new funding framework has just been announced to target health inequalities, and the 2009-2010 operating framework is due to be released this week. According to the DH website:

"The NHS Operating Framework for 2009-10, which sets out NHS priorities for the next year will also be published this week. It will help deliver Lord Darzi's vision as set out in his report, High Quality Care for All.

The top five NHS priorities in the Operating Framework will be:

1. Improving standards of cleanliness and tackling healthcare associated infections.

2. Improving access to care through the achievement of the 18-week referral to treatment pledge and improving access to GP services, including at evenings and at weekends.

3. Improving the health of adults and children and reducing health inequalities, by focusing on improving care for cancer and stroke, and paying particular attention to children's health, particularly in the most deprived areas of the country.

4. Improving patient experience, staff satisfaction and engagement.

5. Preparing to respond in a state of emergency, such as an outbreak of pandemic influenza.

In line with Lord Darzi's review of the NHS, PCTs will set their own additional local targets based on evidence about local needs.

Efficiency savings can be delivered by enabling the NHS to design services locally that are led by clinicians and based on the needs of patients and communities."

Will making children's health a priority help focus minds on health visiting posts, I wonder?

sarahcowley183btinternet

http://myprofile.cos.com/S124021COn

Email has been scanned for viruses by Altman Technologies' email management service

In 2008 we are celebrating 150 years since our foundation by Ruskin. Visit www.anglia.ac.uk/150years for more information.

This e-mail and any attachments are intended for the above named recipient(s) only and may be privileged. If they have come to you in error you must take no action based on them, nor must you copy or show them to anyone: please reply to this e-mail to highlight the error and then immediately delete the e-mail from your system.

Any opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Anglia Ruskin University.

Although measures have been taken to ensure that this e-mail and attachments are free from any virus we advise that, in keeping with good computing practice, the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free. Please note that this message has been sent over public networks which may not be a 100% secure communications

Email has beenscanned for viruses by Altman Technologies' email management service

[Guest guest]

Thanks Woody.  The priorities guidance is on the DH website now, and you and are both right; lots of rhetoric, more of the same.  At least children are in there again, albeit mixed up with ' keeping adults and children well, improving their health and reducing health inequalities,' (ie,  cancer, stroke and maternity services).  On page 17, there are four whole paragraphs that say nothing very specific, but might provide some useful levers:"Children 2.45 Children and young people are healthier now than ever, but inequalities persist. Improving the physical and mental health and wellbeing of children and young people needs to start at conception and run through to adulthood, with a focus on evidence-based prevention, early intervention, and access, designed around the needs of the individual. 2.46 PCTs should work with local authorities and other partners, in the context of Every Child Matters and the Children’s Plan, to ensure that children’s and young people’s health and wellbeing needs are assessed and that action to address these is included in PCT plans, LAAs and NHS contracts, as appropriate. 2.47 In particular, PCTs should pay special attention to obesity as one of the most serious, and growing, health challenges for children. This requires action across services to change public perceptions and behaviours relating to physical activity and diet, and to empower children, young people and families to make healthy choices. 2.48 Nationally, the aim is to reverse the rising tide of obesity and overweight in the population, by ensuring that all individuals are able to maintain a healthy weight. The initial focus is on children: by 2020 to reduce the proportion of overweight and obese children to 2000 levels in the context of tackling obesity across the population. PCTs will need to work with local authorities and other partners to agree key actions to reduce obesity, with a particular focus on interventions aimed at children and families."best wishes  On 9 Dec 2008, at 11:13, Caan, Woody wrote:,I am glad child health improvement is a priority, and the "most deprived areas" sound like another go at Health Action Zones but re-branded. Both Tyneside and Lambeth HAZs made some good starts with child health but were cut short because Alan Milburn wanted Quick Wins. Meeting the current Inequalities target to reduce infant deaths will not be quick, but will need Health Visiting skills! Item 4 gives me the most food for thought, because we really really need Wanless' "fully engaged" public to improve health, but Darzi and have never really shown much understanding of thisemancipatory leap.... Wishing all Senators a Great Leap Forward in 2009,Woody. sarahcowley183@...http://myprofile.cos.com/S124021COn