UK: TOP HOSPITALS TO GET CASH INJECTIONS
Article Abstract:
A new Government blueprint for the National Health Service (NHS) which is due to be published in the next fortnight, will propose the creation of a new GB[pound] 250mn fund to reward the best performing hospitals. The new fund could be worth between GB[pound] 2.5-5mn for individual health authorities, with funds being allocated by the local NHS trust rather than by central Government. In an attempt to highlight differences between hospitals the Government is planning to publish "league tables" of hospital performance on Friday. The statistics demonstrate wide discrepancies. In the case of numbers of patients waiting less than two hours to be admitted into hospital after attending accident and emergency units, the figures range from 38% in the worst hospitals to 100% in the best hospitals. Commenting on the announcements, the Secretary of State for Health, Alan Milburn, said that it was time for the NHS to begin promoting good practices. He added that wide discrepancies in performance were not acceptable because different parts of the NHS were using similar resources in different ways. He also rejected the charge that poorly performing hospitals would be penalised, adding that under-performers would be targeted by "intervention teams" comprised of successful health managers in an effort to boost performance.
Publication Name: The Independent
Subject: Retail industry
ISSN: 0951-9467
Year: 2000
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UK: NHS DIRECT UNDER FIRE IN NEW STUDY
Article Abstract:
The National Health Service's (NHS) financial worries have been worsened by the NHS Direct phone helpline, claimed a study by the University of Sheffield released on 20 March 2000. The study revealed the helpline to be popular among patients, with 90% happy with the advice they received. However, the survey found that NHS Direct is helping fewer people treat themselves than initially hoped. NHS Direct is regarded as a crucial part of UK government efforts to improve the health service, leading to quicker and easier access to medical advice. However, initial indications say that NHS Direct has failed to constrain growing demand for care. NHS Direct, which embraces 60% of England, is due to be extended by October 2000 to the rest of the region and by end-2000 to Wales.
Publication Name: The Independent
Subject: Retail industry
ISSN: 0951-9467
Year: 2000
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The 'postcode lottery' in the health service is more myth than reality
Article Abstract:
The variation in death rates between the UK's National Health Service hospitals is discussed. The need to avoid crude comparisons between hospitals is highlighted.
Publication Name: The Independent
Subject: Retail industry
ISSN: 0951-9467
Year: 2001
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