1st July 2010

Health Secretary speech to NHS Confederation

In a speech at the NHS Confederation annual conference, the Health Secretary set out how a vision for patient-centred care will propel the NHS, the professionals and the front-line through the unique and challenging times ahead.

The coalition government has agreed to increase health spending in each year of this parliament. The commitment reflects the increasing demand on services. It does not negate the necessity to make the tough choices that are required in order to meet the scale of the demand and to drive up quality improvements.

The Health Secretary will show how the NHS can build on work done, remove obstacles, focus on outcomes and quality, and align the incentives and standards to support quality. He will describe a coherent, sustainable framework for the next five years and beyond, centred on the following five priorities:

1. Making patients the starting point of everything we do, not just as beneficiaries of care but as participants in its design.

2. Focussing on outcomes. Not process targets, not measuring inputs, but a consistent, rigorous focus on results for patients and health outcomes of the highest standards.

3. Empowering professionals by setting them free to use their skills, judgement and creativity to drive up quality care.

4. Improving the health and well-being of our families and communities by prioritising public health and preventing ill-health more effectively.

5. Reforming social care by empowering care users and delivering further integration in how services are commissioned and provided.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said:

“I know the changes I propose are far reaching. And as decision-making shifts and as we work together to deliver change, I know there will be some uncertainty. But I can and will create a bridge between the past and the future and help map out the journey we need to take: I will be clear what the strategy is and the shape of new priorities and systems; I will build on the good work already being done; I will devolve real freedom and responsibility to competent managers, and I will engage all NHS staff – doctors, nurses, and managers in working out how to implement a strategy with one shared vision in mind – to improve NHS care for patients and the public it serves”.

Contacts

NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the Department of Health (DH) Media Centre on 020 7210 5221
Email: ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Notes to editors

1. The Health Secretary Andrew Lansley will be speaking at the NHS Confederation annual conference and exhibition at the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool at 4.50pm on Thursday 24 June 2010.

2. For media inquiries only please contact the Department of Health Media Centre on 020 7210 5221.

(Source – News Distribution Service for Government and the Public Sector)

Back to top