22.08.16
Four foundation trusts to begin taking lead on hospital chains
NHS Improvement (NHSI) has named the four foundation trusts that will have the power to take the lead on hospital chains, all of which are also Vanguards.
The organisation chose to accredit Guy’s and St Thomas’, Northumbria Healthcare, Royal Free London and Salford Royal NHS FTs, four providers that are all acute care collaboration vanguards as part of the New Care Models programme.
The foundation trusts will aim to improve hospitals’ clinical and financial viability by linking them together, as well as create more sustainable patient services, improve efficiency and share “excellent practice”.
Jim Mackey, NHSI’s chief executive and former CEO of Northumbria Healthcare, said: “Today is a big step forward for the NHS. It is a great example of how we can ensure as many patients as possible benefit from the best leadership the NHS has to offer.
“Being in a group isn’t right for everyone. The accreditation process considered not only the quality of services on offer and the management trusts have, but also the benefits that trusts will get from being part of a group and the potential risks they face.”
The four named trusts are all trialling different methods of collaboration, including buddying, partnerships and federations, as well as more formal consolidation through mergers and acquisitions. Despite this, they “share the common goal of improving services for patients”, NHSI argued.
Sir David Dalton, CEO of Salford Royal and Pennine Acute trusts, as well as one of the most recognised names in national healthcare, said the key aim of leading a group of providers will be to “deliver high-quality care that is standardised and replicated across all organisations” to improve outcomes and value for money.
He continued: “Assuring the reliable delivery of high standards, at scale to a greater population, allows quicker decision making and ensures that those decisions are taken in the interest of the population. This contrasts with delays in decision making which often occur when multiple organisations are assessing the impact of changes on themselves rather than the wider interests of the population they should be serving.
“Most modern industries, healthcare and otherwise, deploy digital solutions and new technologies to reliably meet their standards of service. The NHS has the opportunity to do likewise so that patients can have the high quality and reliable services they deserve. This will be the approach which Salford Royal wishes to pursue with partners in a Group.”
The particular interest of Salford Royal, considered one of the best providers in the country, will be to utilise digital solutions to support staff in their clinical decision-making, Sir David said – “so that they can know if they are adhering to the evidence of clinical best practice”.
“This technology can also support the best utilisation of resources, with improvements to patient pathways and electronic scheduling of tests and appointments,” he added.
The accredited providers will now begin to implement their new models, already in this financial year.
David Mowat, minister for community health and care, said the move is vital to ensure the NHS can “continue to improve care and benefit patients”.
“The new foundation group leaders will not only drive up standards, but support the innovative new models of care programme that is delivering positive change across the NHS,” he added.
(Top image c. David Dixon)
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