NHS making 'patchy' improvements

Friday, 9 May 2003 12:00 AM

The independent NHS watchdog, the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI), has issued its first report on the NHS and claims that services are improving.

This report will give some cheer to the government, who have focused heavily on improving the NHS since re-election, though it also comments that improvements are not complete, and may even be at risk in some areas.

Better technologies, shorter waiting times, new premises and more information for patients are four key areas that the CHI has praised, claiming that these issues have improved the service from that provided ten years ago.

But it also listed ongoing problems such as hospital-acquired infections, mixed wards and the unequal relationship between doctor and patient as areas where change is still needed. A shortage of cancer specialists, and poor services for some mental health patients were also listed as problems faced for the future.

Overall the report comments that much has been achieved, while efforts must continue. But it questions whether improvements will continue if government remains too focused on targets such as waiting times.

The CHI argues that some government plans might force staff to put too much energy into specific targets such as those to reduce waiting times, which leaves them with less time to improve service delivery for patients.

However, comments that initiatives and targets are overwhelming staff and management may spell trouble for the government as they try to reform the NHS, and thus create more work for managers.

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