News and opinion in HSJ 15 April

HSJ 15 April issue:

• Report from NQB on lack of quality information – suggests that organisations review what info is needed for decision-making and improving patient care and stop collecting data that isn’t useful. Data from secondary care tends to be good but very little on community services or primary care. Final version of the report is due in May.
• Article on reaction to growing talk of the need to close hospitals – quotes recent McKinsey report which included a review of bed occupancy – suggests up to £700m spent on hospital procedures having limited clinical benefit – if patients receive more info on options, likely outcomes and risks, fewer tend to opt for surgery e.g. mastectomies (can drop by half) and prostatectomies (can drop by a quarter) – report also claims that up to 40% of patients in typical hospital at any one time don’t need to be there – due to delays in receiving tests/therapies; lack of more suitable care facilities in community. A Picker Institute study – a trial of shared decision making with pts in gynaecology – led to 40% reduction in treatment costs
• Tackling foundation trusts and enabling them to fulfil their role as leaders – suggest there is a role for commissioners to “develop into the local driving force of service improvement, challenging providers to be more efficient and effective and to meet the needs of patients in the most clinically effective – and cost effective – way. Commissioners need different ways of assessing the needs of the populations, and effective methods to ensure needs are met and demand is managed. Above all, commissioners need to embrace the concept of being the patient’s friend."