The Quest for Quality series has compiled key indicators of the quality of the health service for the last ten years. This fourth and final report in the series provides an up-to-date assessment of the NHS' quality reforms. The main findings are positive, with evidence that the NHS has made significant progress since 1997.
There is one main caveat to the positive message. The authors say that, "Although we believe many of the building blocks necessary for the delivery of a world-class health service are in place, they are not yet properly aligned and integrated. There is a striking need for concentrated attention on the articulation and organisation of a national quality programme to fully realise the potential of the NHS."
The report identifies eight major functions that are vital to continued improvements in quality. They are:
Dr Foster is named as an example of one of the reforms in public reporting.
"There has been a strong belief that deficiencies in quality are explained in part by the lack of transparent information available to the public and the absence of routine performance feedback for healthcare providers."
"From the onset of the reforms in 1997-98, considerable effort has gone into providing data publicly through various efforts, including Dr Foster."
The report goes on to examine different aspects of improvement in care, including effectiveness, access and safety.
Read the report in full here.
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