Press release: Confederation asks governments to sign up to a "compact for delivery" with NHS management

06 Jul 2001

Speaking on the final day of the NHS Confederation's Annual Conference, Chief Executive, Stephen Thornton, called on the Governments of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to sign up to the missing elements of an emerging 'compact for delivery' with NHS management in the task of modernising the NHS.

Thornton said "NHS management across the UK is committed to transforming the NHS to meet the needs of patients and the public. The relationship between NHS management and government has improved significantly over the past few months - particularly with Milburn's recent statements about shifting the balance of power. Today, we are calling for the Government to address the missing elements of what we are calling a 'compact for delivery.' Much of this is beginning to shape up but we need the complete package if NHS management is to give of its best."

The complete compact contains eight key elements:

• setting a positive climate in which NHS management can thrive
• investing in management capacity - particularly in the new primary care trusts. New organisations must not be set up to fail 
• more investment and stronger leadership in information and communication technology 
• a sophisticated approach to judging performance beyond the crude "traffic lights", underpinned by simple rules with far fewer targets 
• inculcating a public sector ethos and attitudes that will enable clinical teams to engage with radical service redesign for the benefit of patients 
• a new approach to recruiting and retaining staff 
• continued backing from ministers to enable greater risk taking - recognition that the massive programme of change the NHS is undertaking requires political support in the face of difficult decisions. 
• recognition of the impact that massive structural changes will have on the service.
  

Ends

Notes for editors

1. The NHS Confederation Conference is taking place in Manchester between 4 - 6 July 2001.
2. The NHS Confederation is the voice of NHS management. Our members include the majority of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts and health authorities in Wales; trusts and health boards in Scotland; and health and social services trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
   

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