24 Jun 2004
Responding to the Government's NHS Improvement Plan, published today, Gill Morgan, NHS Confederation chief executive said: "We welcome the recognition that real improvements are underway, and that the hard work of NHS staff is beginning to pay off, with shorter waits and better care for patients."
"The target of 18 weeks from GP visit to treatment will be a challenge, but we support the new focus on the whole patient journey, including faster access to diagnosis. Delivering the targets will require new ways of working, better IT and the best use of all the capacity available, whether in the public, voluntary or private sector."
According to a Confederation poll of NHS chief executives published this week, the real priorities of NHS leaders are to put more emphasis on improving public health, better care for people with long-term conditions, and investment in primary care [1]. The Confederation welcomed the Plan's greater focus on these issues in the next stage of reform, but highlighted mental health as an area where much more needs to be done.
Gill Morgan said: "We are particularly concerned that mental health warrants so little mention, particularly as 4 in 10 of the public will have a mental health problem at some point in their lives. This must be kept high on the agenda if we are serious about improving care for some of the most vulnerable people."
The Confederation also warned that none of the changes promised can be delivered without the backing of NHS staff.
Gill Morgan said: "We need to go further in giving greater freedom to the NHS frontline, with a real focus on ways to develop locally-owned targets that make sense to clinicians and reflect local needs. Staff must feel involved in the process of reform if we're really serious about transforming patients' experience of the NHS.
Notes to editors
1. The NHS Confederation poll is based on a survey of 100 NHS chief executives in England across a range of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and Strategic Health Authorities. This represents approximately a sixth of all Chief Executives in England. A copy of the survey is available from the press office.
2. The NHS Confederation annual conference, Real Leadership: Tough Choices, Difficult Decisions, runs from Wednesday 23rd-Friday 25th June at the International Convention Centre and National Indoor Arena, Birmingham. The Rt Hon John Reid MP will speak on Thursday 24th June at 5pm. Andrew Lansley MP and Paul Burstow MP will take part in a debate at 9.30am on Friday 25th June.
3. 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.
For more information, please contact Jenny Reindorp on 07880 500050 or Chris Atkinson on 07980 698 316.
Last reviewed 3 Nov 2006