NHS reflects on delivery of key priorities

NHS Chief Executive David Nicholson thanked NHS staff for their hard work improving care for patients this year, including reducing healthcare associated infections and waiting times, and extending GP opening hours. Launching his third annual report at the annual NHS Chief Executive’s Conference, Mr Nicholson said that while the NHS had delivered what it said it would over the year, it had to go further and faster to improve the quality of services for patients. 

The report states that whilst the NHS has 11 per cent growth in funding over the next two years, which will be locked in on recurring basis, it would need to prepare for leaner times after that. This meant the NHS would need to deliver efficiency savings in the order of £15 billion over the three years after 2011, to address pressures in the system, and this can only be achieved through the improvements in quality and advances in innovation envisaged in the Next Stage Review.

Mr Nicholson said the leadership of the NHS had delivered on what they had promised for patients in 2008/09 and he was confident that they would continue to deliver improvements in the future.
In 2008/09, the NHS:

• met the commitment to treat all patients within 18 weeks from referral to hospital treatment five months early
• reduced MRSA infections by 62% below the 2003/04 baseline – exceeding the target of 50%
• provided extended opening hours at 71.% of GP practices – exceeding the target set by the Prime Minister of 50%
• employing an additional 1,195 midwives by the end of 2009 against a target of adding 1,000 to the 2006 baseline
• exceeding the Gershon efficiency savings target of £6.47 billion, with the NHS delivering £7.88 billion of savings

Public confidence in the NHS rose to the highest levels on record during the year and staff morale also remained at record highs.