Press release: NHS Confederation backs call for radical change to target regime
22 Jul 2003
Responding to the publication of the Public Administration Select Committee's report, 'On Target? Government by measurement', Dr Gill Morgan stated: "This report confirms what the Confederation has long argued; the current target regime is not delivering for patients, NHS staff or government.
"Targets are necessary for setting direction, priorities and standards. They can work if they are well designed and well managed. However, the report is right that there are too many targets that overburden the system and are set in way that does not encourage local ownership and innovation.
"Too many targets have failed to take account of local circumstances and have contained perverse incentives and created unintended consequences. GP 48 hour access and A&E targets are prime examples of how we need to radically change the system. As we move to an increasingly devolved NHS, we need a new approach based on clinicians and managers jointly setting targets based on national standards and local priorities, with measurements that reflect improvement over time.
"Whilst we support the broad proposals in this report we believe that the new CHAI should have the powers to independently verify performance and to oversee the setting of measures and targets, rather than involving yet another external body in the day to day management of the NHS. "
ENDS
Notes for editors
- The NHS Confederation represents the organisations that make up the NHS. Our members include the majority of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; trusts and NHS boards in Scotland; and health and social services trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
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