BMA summary of NHS Next Stage Review second interim report ‘Leading Local Change’
A second The first interim report was published in October 2007. NHS Next Stage Review (NSR) interim report, Leading Local Change, was published on
9 May 2008, in advance of the release of the first SHA ‘vision’ for healthcare. The report sets out ‘…five pledges to the public and staff on how the NHS will handle changes to services’ and which ‘…PCTs will have a duty to have regard to…‘, as follows:
1. Change will always be to the benefit of patients. This means that change will improve the quality of care that patients receive – whether in terms of clinical outcomes, experiences, or safety.
2. Change will be clinically driven. We will ensure that change is to the benefit of patients by making sure that it is always led by clinicians and based on the best available clinical evidence.
3. All change will be locally-led. Meeting the challenge of being a universal service means the NHS must meet the different needs of everyone. Universal is not the same as uniform. Different places have different and changing needs – and local needs are best met by local solutions.
4. You will be involved. The local NHS will involve patients, carers, the public and other key partners. Those affected by proposed changes will have the chance to have their say and offer their contribution. NHS organisations will work openly and collaboratively.
5. You will see the difference first. Existing services will not be withdrawn until new and better services are available to patients so they can see the difference.
No specific recommendations are made in the report apart from that the Department of Health has asked each SHA ‘…to develop plans to harness the energy and enthusiasm of the Clinical Working [or pathway] Groups to be the guardians of the pledges made in this document and oversee the implementation of each strategic vision.’
The final NSR report is expected to be published on 30 June 2008. Leading Local Change states that the final report will ‘…be all about enabling these local [SHA] visions to become reality’ and will ‘…respond to the challenges of implementing the changes that regional visions have identified and enable nationally what the NHS aspires to locally.’
Read the full report online
Read the BMA press release in response to publication of ‘Leading Local Change’