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Deaths from HCAIs drop by more than a third

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Deaths related to healthcare acquired infections (HCAIs) have dropped by more than a third in a year. The number of deaths related to MRSA was 40 per cent lower during 2010 than during 2009, and there were 31 per cent fewer deaths involving C.difficile.

Health Minister Anne Milton said:

“It is welcome news that fewer people are dying from MRSA and C.difficile and that there have been major reductions in 2010 compared to the previous year. This reflects the overall progress we have seen over the past year in reducing these infections.

“However, we have been absolutely clear that the NHS should take a zero tolerance approach to all avoidable healthcare associated infections and there should be further improvements.

“The public expects to be treated in a clean and safe environment and this is what the NHS must provide.”


NHS continuing to perform strongly

0
0

First report of financial year published

The official report on NHS performance shows the NHS continues to perform strongly for patients – achieving good results against the majority of key quality standards.

The Quarter 1 report, which sets out NHS quality and financial performance between April and June 2011, shows the NHS has not only maintained the quality of care patients receive but achieved improvements in key areas – reducing MRSA and C. difficile infection rates as well as driving down breach rates for mixed sex accommodation.

Overall, the NHS has continued to perform strongly in the first quarter of the financial year as it begins to deliver local plans to meet the pressures of an ageing population and the rising costs of drugs and treatments.

The NHS needs to save up to £20 billion from within its budget to meet these challenges. To do this, the local NHS has developed plans to improve quality, productivity and innovation that will see more care provided closer to home and more empowered patients in control of their own care.

The Quarter 1 report shows Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are estimating they can achieve £5.9 billion savings this financial year. Every penny saved will be reinvested in patient care. This means the NHS is broadly on track to deliver the efficiency savings it needs by 2014/15.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said:

“We passionately believe in the NHS – one that is free at the point of use. That’s why there will be a £12.5 billion increase in funding over the next four years.  But even with this, we know the NHS must be more efficient to meet the pressures of an ageing population and the rising costs of drugs and treatments.

“We know that despite the increase in funding, the NHS needs to save up to £20 billion from within its budget to meet these future challenges.  Where the NHS can do things better and save money to reinvest in patient care, it must do so. We are already seeing the results – the Audit Commission found that last year, the NHS made £4.3 billion of efficiency savings – at the same time keeping waiting times low, performing more tests, and reducing infections even further.

“We are absolutely clear that this does not mean cutting services – this means getting better value for every pound spent in the NHS so that it can continue to improve and deliver services for patients every day.”

Deputy Chief Executive of the NHS David Flory said:

“The NHS is in the very early stages of its plans to deliver up to £20bn of efficiency savings by 2014/15 whilst maintaining or improving quality. The results from the first quarter of 2011/12 are encouraging, showing the NHS continues to deliver strongly for patients while maintaining a healthy financial position.

“But we know that the NHS faces unprecedented challenges with an ageing population and the rising costs of complex technology and medicines.

“The challenge going forward is to maintain high quality care, while ensuring we maintain strong financial control.“

Highlights from today’s report include:

• The NHS Constitution commitments to meeting the 18-week waiting time standard for 95% of non-admitted and 90% of admitted patients were met during the first quarter of 2011/12.
• MRSA infections were 25% lower than during the same quarter last year with C.difficile  infections 17% lower. 97 MRSA infections were reported in June, the lowest figure since mandatory surveillance began in 2011.
• The number of breaches of mixed-sex sleeping accommodation standards fell significantly, from 3.6 per 1,000 episodes in March to 1.3 per 1,000 episodes in June.
• Waiting time standards for cancer services, A&E services and ambulances services were all achieved during Quarter 1, and new outcomes data for A&E and ambulance service was collected for the first time in this period.
• A comprehensive monitoring and prevention system for reducing Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is being implemented, the only one of its kind in the world. 86% of adult inpatients received a VTE risk assessment in June 2011, meaning we are continuing to make progress towards the ambition of 90%.
• The NHS made important progress in preparing to modernise, with 257 pathfinder clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) now established, covering 97% of the population and increasingly taking on delegated responsibility from PCT clusters.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Quarter report updates the NHS on progress towards key priorities, including financial health for April to June 2011 and can be found on the Department of Health website.

2. For media enquiries contact the Department of Health news desk on 020 7210 5221.

NHS on track to deliver savings to reinvest in care

0
0

Second report of financial year published

The official report on NHS performance shows the NHS is on track to deliver up to £5.9bn savings this financial year whilst maintaining or improving quality of services. Every penny saved will be reinvested in patient care.

The Quarter 2 report, published today, shows that of the eight key quality areas highlighted, all have been maintained or improved. In particular the NHS has reduced MRSA and C. difficile infection rates as well as driving down breach rates for mixed sex accommodation.

The report shows the NHS continued to perform strongly between July and September 2011 as it begins to deliver local plans to meet the pressures of an ageing population and the rising costs of drugs and treatments. The NHS needs to save up to £20 billion from within its budget by 2015 to meet these challenges. 

Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) estimate they can achieve £5.9 billion savings this financial year – and so far have delivered £2.5 billion savings in the first six months of the efficiency challenge. This means the NHS is broadly on track to deliver the efficiency savings it needs – an improvement on the £4.3 billion of efficiency savings which the Audit Commission found that the NHS already achieved last year.

The local NHS has developed plans to improve quality that will gradually see more innovative care provided closer to home and more patients in control of their own care.

Examples where the NHS has improved services for patients and achieved efficiencies include:

• South East Essex Community Healthcare piloted a 24/7 home nursing service for children and young people with difficult to manage asthma. The initial findings suggest this has helped young people and their families to manage their condition without attending hospital, has reduced the number of A&E attendances by almost 50 per cent and hospital admissions by 30 per cent among the target group.

• Community teams in Kirklees developed individual care plans for frequent ambulance callers. These can be accessed by ambulance crews and emergency care clinicians. Community matrons worked with care home staff to help them deal with the individual’s underlying health problems – contributing to a reduction in 999 calls by care homes. Patients received better quality of care and there was a 70 per cent reduction in A&E attendances from this group.

The Quarter also highlights those trusts which are the poorest performers on waiting times – making clear they must improve. This is part of Health Secretary Andrew Lansley’s plans to root out poor performance by focusing on NHS organisations that are letting patients down.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said:

“I am committed to the NHS and to services for patients – one that is free at the point of use. That’s why there will be a £12.5 billion increase in funding over the next four years, including £4.1bn in 2011/12.  But even with this, we know the NHS must be more efficient to meet the pressures of an ageing population and the rising costs of drugs and treatments.

“We know that despite the increase in funding, the NHS needs to save up to £20 billion from within its budget to meet these future challenges.  Where the NHS can do things better and save money to reinvest in patient care, it must do so. We are already seeing the results – this report shows the NHS has achieved £2.5 billion savings so far while keeping waiting times low, performing more tests, and reducing infections even further.

“We are absolutely clear that this does not mean cutting services – this means getting better value for every pound spent in the NHS so that it can continue to improve and deliver better services for patients every day.”

Deputy Chief Executive of the NHS David Flory said:

“The NHS is in the early stages of its plans to deliver up to £20bn of efficiency savings by 2014/15 whilst maintaining or improving quality. The results from the second quarter of 2011/12 are encouraging, showing the NHS continues to deliver strongly for patients while maintaining a healthy financial position.

“But we know that the NHS faces unprecedented challenges with an ageing population and the rising costs of complex technology and medicines.

“The winter period represents an annual challenge and it is vital that the NHS plans and prepares for this so that it continues to provide high quality care, while ensuring we maintain strong financial control.”

Headlines from today’s report include:

• MRSA infections were 33 percent lower than during the same quarter last year and similarly C.difficile infections were 16 percent lower.

• Access to services continued to be maintained with the NHS delivering above the NHS constitutional commitment to treatment within 18 weeks of treatment for 90 percent of admitted patients and 95 percent of non admitted services.

• The number of breaches of mixed-sex sleeping accommodation also continued to decrease with a breach rate of 0.7 per 1,000 episodes.

• A&E standards and Ambulance response time standards were delivered.

• The NHS has continued to deliver against key cancer standards with all eight measures being met in quarter 2.

The report published today sets out NHS quality and financial performance between July and September 2011, showing that the NHS is predicting a year-end surplus of about £1.2 billion for 2011/12. For those individual NHS organisations in a weaker financial position, the report sends a strong message that this needs to improve.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Quarter report updates the NHS on progress towards key priorities, including financial health for July to September 2011 and can be found on the Department of Health website.

2. For media enquiries contact the Department of Health news desk on 020 7210 5221.

Deaths from HCAIs drop by more than a third

0
0

Deaths related to healthcare acquired infections (HCAIs) have dropped by more than a third in a year. The number of deaths related to MRSA was 40 per cent lower during 2010 than during 2009, and there were 31 per cent fewer deaths involving C.difficile.

Health Minister Anne Milton said:

“It is welcome news that fewer people are dying from MRSA and C.difficile and that there have been major reductions in 2010 compared to the previous year. This reflects the overall progress we have seen over the past year in reducing these infections.

“However, we have been absolutely clear that the NHS should take a zero tolerance approach to all avoidable healthcare associated infections and there should be further improvements.

“The public expects to be treated in a clean and safe environment and this is what the NHS must provide.”

NHS continuing to perform strongly

0
0

First report of financial year published

The official report on NHS performance shows the NHS continues to perform strongly for patients – achieving good results against the majority of key quality standards.

The Quarter 1 report, which sets out NHS quality and financial performance between April and June 2011, shows the NHS has not only maintained the quality of care patients receive but achieved improvements in key areas – reducing MRSA and C. difficile infection rates as well as driving down breach rates for mixed sex accommodation.

Overall, the NHS has continued to perform strongly in the first quarter of the financial year as it begins to deliver local plans to meet the pressures of an ageing population and the rising costs of drugs and treatments.

The NHS needs to save up to £20 billion from within its budget to meet these challenges. To do this, the local NHS has developed plans to improve quality, productivity and innovation that will see more care provided closer to home and more empowered patients in control of their own care.

The Quarter 1 report shows Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are estimating they can achieve £5.9 billion savings this financial year. Every penny saved will be reinvested in patient care. This means the NHS is broadly on track to deliver the efficiency savings it needs by 2014/15.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said:

“We passionately believe in the NHS – one that is free at the point of use. That’s why there will be a £12.5 billion increase in funding over the next four years.  But even with this, we know the NHS must be more efficient to meet the pressures of an ageing population and the rising costs of drugs and treatments.

“We know that despite the increase in funding, the NHS needs to save up to £20 billion from within its budget to meet these future challenges.  Where the NHS can do things better and save money to reinvest in patient care, it must do so. We are already seeing the results – the Audit Commission found that last year, the NHS made £4.3 billion of efficiency savings – at the same time keeping waiting times low, performing more tests, and reducing infections even further.

“We are absolutely clear that this does not mean cutting services – this means getting better value for every pound spent in the NHS so that it can continue to improve and deliver services for patients every day.”

Deputy Chief Executive of the NHS David Flory said:

“The NHS is in the very early stages of its plans to deliver up to £20bn of efficiency savings by 2014/15 whilst maintaining or improving quality. The results from the first quarter of 2011/12 are encouraging, showing the NHS continues to deliver strongly for patients while maintaining a healthy financial position.

“But we know that the NHS faces unprecedented challenges with an ageing population and the rising costs of complex technology and medicines.

“The challenge going forward is to maintain high quality care, while ensuring we maintain strong financial control.“

Highlights from today’s report include:

• The NHS Constitution commitments to meeting the 18-week waiting time standard for 95% of non-admitted and 90% of admitted patients were met during the first quarter of 2011/12.
• MRSA infections were 25% lower than during the same quarter last year with C.difficile  infections 17% lower. 97 MRSA infections were reported in June, the lowest figure since mandatory surveillance began in 2011.
• The number of breaches of mixed-sex sleeping accommodation standards fell significantly, from 3.6 per 1,000 episodes in March to 1.3 per 1,000 episodes in June.
• Waiting time standards for cancer services, A&E services and ambulances services were all achieved during Quarter 1, and new outcomes data for A&E and ambulance service was collected for the first time in this period.
• A comprehensive monitoring and prevention system for reducing Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is being implemented, the only one of its kind in the world. 86% of adult inpatients received a VTE risk assessment in June 2011, meaning we are continuing to make progress towards the ambition of 90%.
• The NHS made important progress in preparing to modernise, with 257 pathfinder clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) now established, covering 97% of the population and increasingly taking on delegated responsibility from PCT clusters.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Quarter report updates the NHS on progress towards key priorities, including financial health for April to June 2011 and can be found on the Department of Health website.

2. For media enquiries contact the Department of Health news desk on 020 7210 5221.

NHS on track to deliver savings to reinvest in care

0
0

Second report of financial year published

The official report on NHS performance shows the NHS is on track to deliver up to £5.9bn savings this financial year whilst maintaining or improving quality of services. Every penny saved will be reinvested in patient care.

The Quarter 2 report, published today, shows that of the eight key quality areas highlighted, all have been maintained or improved. In particular the NHS has reduced MRSA and C. difficile infection rates as well as driving down breach rates for mixed sex accommodation.

The report shows the NHS continued to perform strongly between July and September 2011 as it begins to deliver local plans to meet the pressures of an ageing population and the rising costs of drugs and treatments. The NHS needs to save up to £20 billion from within its budget by 2015 to meet these challenges. 

Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) estimate they can achieve £5.9 billion savings this financial year – and so far have delivered £2.5 billion savings in the first six months of the efficiency challenge. This means the NHS is broadly on track to deliver the efficiency savings it needs – an improvement on the £4.3 billion of efficiency savings which the Audit Commission found that the NHS already achieved last year.

The local NHS has developed plans to improve quality that will gradually see more innovative care provided closer to home and more patients in control of their own care.

Examples where the NHS has improved services for patients and achieved efficiencies include:

• South East Essex Community Healthcare piloted a 24/7 home nursing service for children and young people with difficult to manage asthma. The initial findings suggest this has helped young people and their families to manage their condition without attending hospital, has reduced the number of A&E attendances by almost 50 per cent and hospital admissions by 30 per cent among the target group.

• Community teams in Kirklees developed individual care plans for frequent ambulance callers. These can be accessed by ambulance crews and emergency care clinicians. Community matrons worked with care home staff to help them deal with the individual’s underlying health problems – contributing to a reduction in 999 calls by care homes. Patients received better quality of care and there was a 70 per cent reduction in A&E attendances from this group.

The Quarter also highlights those trusts which are the poorest performers on waiting times – making clear they must improve. This is part of Health Secretary Andrew Lansley’s plans to root out poor performance by focusing on NHS organisations that are letting patients down.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said:

“I am committed to the NHS and to services for patients – one that is free at the point of use. That’s why there will be a £12.5 billion increase in funding over the next four years, including £4.1bn in 2011/12.  But even with this, we know the NHS must be more efficient to meet the pressures of an ageing population and the rising costs of drugs and treatments.

“We know that despite the increase in funding, the NHS needs to save up to £20 billion from within its budget to meet these future challenges.  Where the NHS can do things better and save money to reinvest in patient care, it must do so. We are already seeing the results – this report shows the NHS has achieved £2.5 billion savings so far while keeping waiting times low, performing more tests, and reducing infections even further.

“We are absolutely clear that this does not mean cutting services – this means getting better value for every pound spent in the NHS so that it can continue to improve and deliver better services for patients every day.”

Deputy Chief Executive of the NHS David Flory said:

“The NHS is in the early stages of its plans to deliver up to £20bn of efficiency savings by 2014/15 whilst maintaining or improving quality. The results from the second quarter of 2011/12 are encouraging, showing the NHS continues to deliver strongly for patients while maintaining a healthy financial position.

“But we know that the NHS faces unprecedented challenges with an ageing population and the rising costs of complex technology and medicines.

“The winter period represents an annual challenge and it is vital that the NHS plans and prepares for this so that it continues to provide high quality care, while ensuring we maintain strong financial control.”

Headlines from today’s report include:

• MRSA infections were 33 percent lower than during the same quarter last year and similarly C.difficile infections were 16 percent lower.

• Access to services continued to be maintained with the NHS delivering above the NHS constitutional commitment to treatment within 18 weeks of treatment for 90 percent of admitted patients and 95 percent of non admitted services.

• The number of breaches of mixed-sex sleeping accommodation also continued to decrease with a breach rate of 0.7 per 1,000 episodes.

• A&E standards and Ambulance response time standards were delivered.

• The NHS has continued to deliver against key cancer standards with all eight measures being met in quarter 2.

The report published today sets out NHS quality and financial performance between July and September 2011, showing that the NHS is predicting a year-end surplus of about £1.2 billion for 2011/12. For those individual NHS organisations in a weaker financial position, the report sends a strong message that this needs to improve.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Quarter report updates the NHS on progress towards key priorities, including financial health for July to September 2011 and can be found on the Department of Health website.

2. For media enquiries contact the Department of Health news desk on 020 7210 5221.

Deaths from HCAIs drop by more than a third

0
0

Deaths related to healthcare acquired infections (HCAIs) have dropped by more than a third in a year. The number of deaths related to MRSA was 40 per cent lower during 2010 than during 2009, and there were 31 per cent fewer deaths involving C.difficile.

Health Minister Anne Milton said:

“It is welcome news that fewer people are dying from MRSA and C.difficile and that there have been major reductions in 2010 compared to the previous year. This reflects the overall progress we have seen over the past year in reducing these infections.

“However, we have been absolutely clear that the NHS should take a zero tolerance approach to all avoidable healthcare associated infections and there should be further improvements.

“The public expects to be treated in a clean and safe environment and this is what the NHS must provide.”

NHS continuing to perform strongly

0
0

First report of financial year published

The official report on NHS performance shows the NHS continues to perform strongly for patients – achieving good results against the majority of key quality standards.

The Quarter 1 report, which sets out NHS quality and financial performance between April and June 2011, shows the NHS has not only maintained the quality of care patients receive but achieved improvements in key areas – reducing MRSA and C. difficile infection rates as well as driving down breach rates for mixed sex accommodation.

Overall, the NHS has continued to perform strongly in the first quarter of the financial year as it begins to deliver local plans to meet the pressures of an ageing population and the rising costs of drugs and treatments.

The NHS needs to save up to £20 billion from within its budget to meet these challenges. To do this, the local NHS has developed plans to improve quality, productivity and innovation that will see more care provided closer to home and more empowered patients in control of their own care.

The Quarter 1 report shows Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are estimating they can achieve £5.9 billion savings this financial year. Every penny saved will be reinvested in patient care. This means the NHS is broadly on track to deliver the efficiency savings it needs by 2014/15.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said:

“We passionately believe in the NHS – one that is free at the point of use. That’s why there will be a £12.5 billion increase in funding over the next four years.  But even with this, we know the NHS must be more efficient to meet the pressures of an ageing population and the rising costs of drugs and treatments.

“We know that despite the increase in funding, the NHS needs to save up to £20 billion from within its budget to meet these future challenges.  Where the NHS can do things better and save money to reinvest in patient care, it must do so. We are already seeing the results – the Audit Commission found that last year, the NHS made £4.3 billion of efficiency savings – at the same time keeping waiting times low, performing more tests, and reducing infections even further.

“We are absolutely clear that this does not mean cutting services – this means getting better value for every pound spent in the NHS so that it can continue to improve and deliver services for patients every day.”

Deputy Chief Executive of the NHS David Flory said:

“The NHS is in the very early stages of its plans to deliver up to £20bn of efficiency savings by 2014/15 whilst maintaining or improving quality. The results from the first quarter of 2011/12 are encouraging, showing the NHS continues to deliver strongly for patients while maintaining a healthy financial position.

“But we know that the NHS faces unprecedented challenges with an ageing population and the rising costs of complex technology and medicines.

“The challenge going forward is to maintain high quality care, while ensuring we maintain strong financial control.“

Highlights from today’s report include:

• The NHS Constitution commitments to meeting the 18-week waiting time standard for 95% of non-admitted and 90% of admitted patients were met during the first quarter of 2011/12.
• MRSA infections were 25% lower than during the same quarter last year with C.difficile  infections 17% lower. 97 MRSA infections were reported in June, the lowest figure since mandatory surveillance began in 2011.
• The number of breaches of mixed-sex sleeping accommodation standards fell significantly, from 3.6 per 1,000 episodes in March to 1.3 per 1,000 episodes in June.
• Waiting time standards for cancer services, A&E services and ambulances services were all achieved during Quarter 1, and new outcomes data for A&E and ambulance service was collected for the first time in this period.
• A comprehensive monitoring and prevention system for reducing Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is being implemented, the only one of its kind in the world. 86% of adult inpatients received a VTE risk assessment in June 2011, meaning we are continuing to make progress towards the ambition of 90%.
• The NHS made important progress in preparing to modernise, with 257 pathfinder clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) now established, covering 97% of the population and increasingly taking on delegated responsibility from PCT clusters.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Quarter report updates the NHS on progress towards key priorities, including financial health for April to June 2011 and can be found on the Department of Health website.

2. For media enquiries contact the Department of Health news desk on 020 7210 5221.


NHS on track to deliver savings to reinvest in care

0
0

Second report of financial year published

The official report on NHS performance shows the NHS is on track to deliver up to £5.9bn savings this financial year whilst maintaining or improving quality of services. Every penny saved will be reinvested in patient care.

The Quarter 2 report, published today, shows that of the eight key quality areas highlighted, all have been maintained or improved. In particular the NHS has reduced MRSA and C. difficile infection rates as well as driving down breach rates for mixed sex accommodation.

The report shows the NHS continued to perform strongly between July and September 2011 as it begins to deliver local plans to meet the pressures of an ageing population and the rising costs of drugs and treatments. The NHS needs to save up to £20 billion from within its budget by 2015 to meet these challenges. 

Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) estimate they can achieve £5.9 billion savings this financial year – and so far have delivered £2.5 billion savings in the first six months of the efficiency challenge. This means the NHS is broadly on track to deliver the efficiency savings it needs – an improvement on the £4.3 billion of efficiency savings which the Audit Commission found that the NHS already achieved last year.

The local NHS has developed plans to improve quality that will gradually see more innovative care provided closer to home and more patients in control of their own care.

Examples where the NHS has improved services for patients and achieved efficiencies include:

• South East Essex Community Healthcare piloted a 24/7 home nursing service for children and young people with difficult to manage asthma. The initial findings suggest this has helped young people and their families to manage their condition without attending hospital, has reduced the number of A&E attendances by almost 50 per cent and hospital admissions by 30 per cent among the target group.

• Community teams in Kirklees developed individual care plans for frequent ambulance callers. These can be accessed by ambulance crews and emergency care clinicians. Community matrons worked with care home staff to help them deal with the individual’s underlying health problems – contributing to a reduction in 999 calls by care homes. Patients received better quality of care and there was a 70 per cent reduction in A&E attendances from this group.

The Quarter also highlights those trusts which are the poorest performers on waiting times – making clear they must improve. This is part of Health Secretary Andrew Lansley’s plans to root out poor performance by focusing on NHS organisations that are letting patients down.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said:

“I am committed to the NHS and to services for patients – one that is free at the point of use. That’s why there will be a £12.5 billion increase in funding over the next four years, including £4.1bn in 2011/12.  But even with this, we know the NHS must be more efficient to meet the pressures of an ageing population and the rising costs of drugs and treatments.

“We know that despite the increase in funding, the NHS needs to save up to £20 billion from within its budget to meet these future challenges.  Where the NHS can do things better and save money to reinvest in patient care, it must do so. We are already seeing the results – this report shows the NHS has achieved £2.5 billion savings so far while keeping waiting times low, performing more tests, and reducing infections even further.

“We are absolutely clear that this does not mean cutting services – this means getting better value for every pound spent in the NHS so that it can continue to improve and deliver better services for patients every day.”

Deputy Chief Executive of the NHS David Flory said:

“The NHS is in the early stages of its plans to deliver up to £20bn of efficiency savings by 2014/15 whilst maintaining or improving quality. The results from the second quarter of 2011/12 are encouraging, showing the NHS continues to deliver strongly for patients while maintaining a healthy financial position.

“But we know that the NHS faces unprecedented challenges with an ageing population and the rising costs of complex technology and medicines.

“The winter period represents an annual challenge and it is vital that the NHS plans and prepares for this so that it continues to provide high quality care, while ensuring we maintain strong financial control.”

Headlines from today’s report include:

• MRSA infections were 33 percent lower than during the same quarter last year and similarly C.difficile infections were 16 percent lower.

• Access to services continued to be maintained with the NHS delivering above the NHS constitutional commitment to treatment within 18 weeks of treatment for 90 percent of admitted patients and 95 percent of non admitted services.

• The number of breaches of mixed-sex sleeping accommodation also continued to decrease with a breach rate of 0.7 per 1,000 episodes.

• A&E standards and Ambulance response time standards were delivered.

• The NHS has continued to deliver against key cancer standards with all eight measures being met in quarter 2.

The report published today sets out NHS quality and financial performance between July and September 2011, showing that the NHS is predicting a year-end surplus of about £1.2 billion for 2011/12. For those individual NHS organisations in a weaker financial position, the report sends a strong message that this needs to improve.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Quarter report updates the NHS on progress towards key priorities, including financial health for July to September 2011 and can be found on the Department of Health website.

2. For media enquiries contact the Department of Health news desk on 020 7210 5221.

Deaths from HCAIs drop by more than a third

0
0

Deaths related to healthcare acquired infections (HCAIs) have dropped by more than a third in a year. The number of deaths related to MRSA was 40 per cent lower during 2010 than during 2009, and there were 31 per cent fewer deaths involving C.difficile.

Health Minister Anne Milton said:

“It is welcome news that fewer people are dying from MRSA and C.difficile and that there have been major reductions in 2010 compared to the previous year. This reflects the overall progress we have seen over the past year in reducing these infections.

“However, we have been absolutely clear that the NHS should take a zero tolerance approach to all avoidable healthcare associated infections and there should be further improvements.

“The public expects to be treated in a clean and safe environment and this is what the NHS must provide.”

NHS continuing to perform strongly

0
0

First report of financial year published

The official report on NHS performance shows the NHS continues to perform strongly for patients – achieving good results against the majority of key quality standards.

The Quarter 1 report, which sets out NHS quality and financial performance between April and June 2011, shows the NHS has not only maintained the quality of care patients receive but achieved improvements in key areas – reducing MRSA and C. difficile infection rates as well as driving down breach rates for mixed sex accommodation.

Overall, the NHS has continued to perform strongly in the first quarter of the financial year as it begins to deliver local plans to meet the pressures of an ageing population and the rising costs of drugs and treatments.

The NHS needs to save up to £20 billion from within its budget to meet these challenges. To do this, the local NHS has developed plans to improve quality, productivity and innovation that will see more care provided closer to home and more empowered patients in control of their own care.

The Quarter 1 report shows Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are estimating they can achieve £5.9 billion savings this financial year. Every penny saved will be reinvested in patient care. This means the NHS is broadly on track to deliver the efficiency savings it needs by 2014/15.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said:

“We passionately believe in the NHS – one that is free at the point of use. That’s why there will be a £12.5 billion increase in funding over the next four years.  But even with this, we know the NHS must be more efficient to meet the pressures of an ageing population and the rising costs of drugs and treatments.

“We know that despite the increase in funding, the NHS needs to save up to £20 billion from within its budget to meet these future challenges.  Where the NHS can do things better and save money to reinvest in patient care, it must do so. We are already seeing the results – the Audit Commission found that last year, the NHS made £4.3 billion of efficiency savings – at the same time keeping waiting times low, performing more tests, and reducing infections even further.

“We are absolutely clear that this does not mean cutting services – this means getting better value for every pound spent in the NHS so that it can continue to improve and deliver services for patients every day.”

Deputy Chief Executive of the NHS David Flory said:

“The NHS is in the very early stages of its plans to deliver up to £20bn of efficiency savings by 2014/15 whilst maintaining or improving quality. The results from the first quarter of 2011/12 are encouraging, showing the NHS continues to deliver strongly for patients while maintaining a healthy financial position.

“But we know that the NHS faces unprecedented challenges with an ageing population and the rising costs of complex technology and medicines.

“The challenge going forward is to maintain high quality care, while ensuring we maintain strong financial control.“

Highlights from today’s report include:

• The NHS Constitution commitments to meeting the 18-week waiting time standard for 95% of non-admitted and 90% of admitted patients were met during the first quarter of 2011/12.
• MRSA infections were 25% lower than during the same quarter last year with C.difficile  infections 17% lower. 97 MRSA infections were reported in June, the lowest figure since mandatory surveillance began in 2011.
• The number of breaches of mixed-sex sleeping accommodation standards fell significantly, from 3.6 per 1,000 episodes in March to 1.3 per 1,000 episodes in June.
• Waiting time standards for cancer services, A&E services and ambulances services were all achieved during Quarter 1, and new outcomes data for A&E and ambulance service was collected for the first time in this period.
• A comprehensive monitoring and prevention system for reducing Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is being implemented, the only one of its kind in the world. 86% of adult inpatients received a VTE risk assessment in June 2011, meaning we are continuing to make progress towards the ambition of 90%.
• The NHS made important progress in preparing to modernise, with 257 pathfinder clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) now established, covering 97% of the population and increasingly taking on delegated responsibility from PCT clusters.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Quarter report updates the NHS on progress towards key priorities, including financial health for April to June 2011 and can be found on the Department of Health website.

2. For media enquiries contact the Department of Health news desk on 020 7210 5221.

NHS on track to deliver savings to reinvest in care

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Second report of financial year published

The official report on NHS performance shows the NHS is on track to deliver up to £5.9bn savings this financial year whilst maintaining or improving quality of services. Every penny saved will be reinvested in patient care.

The Quarter 2 report, published today, shows that of the eight key quality areas highlighted, all have been maintained or improved. In particular the NHS has reduced MRSA and C. difficile infection rates as well as driving down breach rates for mixed sex accommodation.

The report shows the NHS continued to perform strongly between July and September 2011 as it begins to deliver local plans to meet the pressures of an ageing population and the rising costs of drugs and treatments. The NHS needs to save up to £20 billion from within its budget by 2015 to meet these challenges. 

Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) estimate they can achieve £5.9 billion savings this financial year – and so far have delivered £2.5 billion savings in the first six months of the efficiency challenge. This means the NHS is broadly on track to deliver the efficiency savings it needs – an improvement on the £4.3 billion of efficiency savings which the Audit Commission found that the NHS already achieved last year.

The local NHS has developed plans to improve quality that will gradually see more innovative care provided closer to home and more patients in control of their own care.

Examples where the NHS has improved services for patients and achieved efficiencies include:

• South East Essex Community Healthcare piloted a 24/7 home nursing service for children and young people with difficult to manage asthma. The initial findings suggest this has helped young people and their families to manage their condition without attending hospital, has reduced the number of A&E attendances by almost 50 per cent and hospital admissions by 30 per cent among the target group.

• Community teams in Kirklees developed individual care plans for frequent ambulance callers. These can be accessed by ambulance crews and emergency care clinicians. Community matrons worked with care home staff to help them deal with the individual’s underlying health problems – contributing to a reduction in 999 calls by care homes. Patients received better quality of care and there was a 70 per cent reduction in A&E attendances from this group.

The Quarter also highlights those trusts which are the poorest performers on waiting times – making clear they must improve. This is part of Health Secretary Andrew Lansley’s plans to root out poor performance by focusing on NHS organisations that are letting patients down.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said:

“I am committed to the NHS and to services for patients – one that is free at the point of use. That’s why there will be a £12.5 billion increase in funding over the next four years, including £4.1bn in 2011/12.  But even with this, we know the NHS must be more efficient to meet the pressures of an ageing population and the rising costs of drugs and treatments.

“We know that despite the increase in funding, the NHS needs to save up to £20 billion from within its budget to meet these future challenges.  Where the NHS can do things better and save money to reinvest in patient care, it must do so. We are already seeing the results – this report shows the NHS has achieved £2.5 billion savings so far while keeping waiting times low, performing more tests, and reducing infections even further.

“We are absolutely clear that this does not mean cutting services – this means getting better value for every pound spent in the NHS so that it can continue to improve and deliver better services for patients every day.”

Deputy Chief Executive of the NHS David Flory said:

“The NHS is in the early stages of its plans to deliver up to £20bn of efficiency savings by 2014/15 whilst maintaining or improving quality. The results from the second quarter of 2011/12 are encouraging, showing the NHS continues to deliver strongly for patients while maintaining a healthy financial position.

“But we know that the NHS faces unprecedented challenges with an ageing population and the rising costs of complex technology and medicines.

“The winter period represents an annual challenge and it is vital that the NHS plans and prepares for this so that it continues to provide high quality care, while ensuring we maintain strong financial control.”

Headlines from today’s report include:

• MRSA infections were 33 percent lower than during the same quarter last year and similarly C.difficile infections were 16 percent lower.

• Access to services continued to be maintained with the NHS delivering above the NHS constitutional commitment to treatment within 18 weeks of treatment for 90 percent of admitted patients and 95 percent of non admitted services.

• The number of breaches of mixed-sex sleeping accommodation also continued to decrease with a breach rate of 0.7 per 1,000 episodes.

• A&E standards and Ambulance response time standards were delivered.

• The NHS has continued to deliver against key cancer standards with all eight measures being met in quarter 2.

The report published today sets out NHS quality and financial performance between July and September 2011, showing that the NHS is predicting a year-end surplus of about £1.2 billion for 2011/12. For those individual NHS organisations in a weaker financial position, the report sends a strong message that this needs to improve.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Quarter report updates the NHS on progress towards key priorities, including financial health for July to September 2011 and can be found on the Department of Health website.

2. For media enquiries contact the Department of Health news desk on 020 7210 5221.

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