RAND Europe’s Post

RAND Europe report: #NHS is crying out for systems change and funding: “these issues cannot be resolved simply by incentivising staff with carrots, threatening them, or preaching to them”

🌍 UK Government Launches UniqueNational Conversation to Help Shape the Future of the NHS It is calling on the entire nation to share their experiences and ideas to help improve our National Health Service (NHS). This initiative invites NHS staff, clinicians, and the public to contribute to shaping the government’s “10 Year Health Plan.” The NHS is one of the largest employers in the world, with over 1.3 million staff. Its annual budget of around £180 billion makes it larger than the economies of some countries, such as Greece or New Zealand. With such a significant role in our society, this conversation is crucial for everyone—not just those working in healthcare. I believe this is an important and valuable opportunity for everyone—from patients to professionals—to help shape the future of this vital institution. 💬 Whether you’ve benefited from NHS services or have ideas on how they can be improved, your voice is crucial in shaping a better health service for all. You can share your views by visiting change.nhs.uk or using the NHS App until the start of next year. The NHS touches all of our lives in one way or another, and it’s in all our interests to ensure it remains strong, innovative, and able to provide world-class care for generations to come. Your input matters! 🔗 Contribute your ideas today: change.nhs.uk #NHS #Healthcare #UKHealth #10YearHealthPlan #PublicConsultation #HealthInnovation #HealthPolicy #TeleHealth #FutureOfHealthcare #PatientCare #NHSStaff #HealthReform #UKGovernment #NationalHealth #HealthSystem #YourNHSYourSay #Innovation #Clinics

'The NHS budget is not being spent where it should be—too great a share is being spent in hospitals, too little in the community, and productivity is too low.' This is one of the key findings of Lord Darzi's Independent Investigation of the National Health Service in England, which was published today. It paints a honest and stark picture of the troubled state of the NHS, yet finds hope through the underlying fundamentals being strong despite overall challenges. Lord Darzi doesn't set out to make recommendations regarding next steps - he highlights the lack of capital funding, the work needed to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities through access to timely care. He also highlights the need to improve uptake of targeted screening programmes and a need to shift care into the community, moving from 'diagnose and treat' to 'predict and prevent'. These are noble ambitions but the challenges are huge, made more difficult by changing demographics, growing demand, growing cost pressures and a widening workforce gap. So what next? The work starts now on developing the 10-year health plan, which should be published early next year. This will require an associated funding plan and we may have more clarity around funding as part of the Budget on October 30th. In the meantime, systems should consider how they can drive productivity and get the most 'bang for their buck' as additional funding may not be readily available in the short term. There is an associated call to action for all healthcare providers, professional bodies and suppliers - now is a time for partnership and collaboration to address the reform needed to develop new ways of working and models of care.....and help save a broken NHS. https://lnkd.in/ehZapjse

The launch of the public consultation on the 10-Year Health Plan this week is an important moment for the future of our NHS. This is our chance for us to help shape the NHS for the next decade, and I’m glad that there’s a strong consensus that Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) are central to that future. We introduced ICSs into the NHS to break down the silos between healthcare, social care, and local authorities, creating more efficient and joined-up services for patients. The aim of this was ultimately to improve public health, tackle health inequalities, and allow local systems to design care that fits the specific needs of their communities. ICSs have shown significant promise. Over 77% of ICS leaders are confident that their systems are improving population health and healthcare outcomes. However, ICSs are facing a massive administrative burden, with many reporting that around 70% of their efforts are focused on meeting centralised data demands rather than strategic innovation. This disproportionate focus on admin tasks takes away from the crucial work on its core mission of improving patient care. To reach their potential, ICSs need to be freed to deliver for the populations they serve. For ICSs to work they need to focus on prevention, innovation, and delivering care closer to home. By freeing them up to act, ICSs can address root causes of ill health, such as obesity, which costs the NHS billions annually, for example by supporting physical activity. When we enable ICSs to innovate, we give control to local systems to address these issues head-on, improving population health. As we look towards the next 10 years, ICSs must also focus on digital innovation, like population health management and data sharing, to ensure preventive interventions are both timely and effective. This can help reduce hospital admissions and improve outcomes for those with chronic conditions. So I hope the NHS frees ICSs of the bureaucratic burden that stops them innovating, ensures they deliver their funds as effectively as possible and are freed to innovate and make their own decisions. That’s the best way to get the most out of this important reform. Get involved in the consultation via the link 👇👇 https://lnkd.in/enicjCej #NHS #NHSInnovation #10YearPlan #Prevention

NYS DSRIP and its approach to value-based care is highlighted yet again as a potential path forward for NHS England. ICSs (Integrated Care Systems) and PPSs (Performing Provider Systems) are highly similar in both their goals and structure. Simply creating new structures doesn't however lead to better population health outcomes. You need to put your money where your mouth is and align financial incentives with your healthcare goals. Please read this report and let me know what you think! https://lnkd.in/eGFrNzYP

📝 The good, the tough and the urgent: Key takeaways from Lord Darzi's report on the NHS 🏥 The Independent Investigation of the NHS in England by Lord Darzi is a mix of hope and hard truths. As someone working closely with and passionate about our healthcare systems, I found it a sobering yet motivating read. What struck me most wasn't just the call for "quality of care" or "data-driven decisions" (though these are essential) — it was the recognition that real change comes with listening to the people who live and breathe healthcare every day: our staff. Some of my key takeaways: 🌟 The good: • Frontline staff as change agents: It’s clear—the people working at the coalface of healthcare are the key to improvement. The report recognises the need for staff to be more engaged in decision-making. • Data-driven insights: Technology and real-time data are set to play a massive role in reshaping the NHS. 🚨 The tough: • Quality of care is suffering: Quality of care needs to be re-established as the NHS's organising principle. Staff burnout, long waiting times, and inconsistent patient experiences show that there's a long way to go. This isn't a quick fix, but it's the necessary focus. • Workforce pressures: With staff shortages and morale at an all-time low, the NHS faces an uphill battle. Engaging staff in meaningful ways has never been more crucial. 🔍 The Urgent: • Sustainable funding & long-term planning: The report makes it clear—without sustainable funding and strategic resource management, short-term fixes won’t cut it. Innovation and investment must go hand in hand to ensure the NHS isn’t just surviving but thriving. There’s no denying the enormity of the task ahead, but with frontline-driven change, data-led decisions, and a focus on quality, there’s a path forward. At ImproveWell, we’re excited to continue playing our part in supporting healthcare teams as they tackle these challenges head-on. https://lnkd.in/eDrp9Q9v #NHSReform #EmpoweredHealthcare #ImproveWell #HealthcareChallenges #FrontlineInnovation #DarziReport

The NHS is a cornerstone of our community, but improving it for the next 10 years needs your input. The government is calling on everyone to share their experiences, insights, and ideas to help shape the 10-Year Health Plan for England. 💡 Have your say on: What’s working well in the NHS? The challenges that need fixing. Big ideas for the future of health and care services. ⏱️ It only takes a few minutes to complete the questionnaire. Every response matters whether you're a patient, carer, or part of the NHS workforce. 👉 Start the Survey Now https://lnkd.in/euM6bKFe Let’s work together to create a healthier, more effective NHS for everyone. Your feedback can help bring about real change. 📢 Spread the word, tag your network, and let’s make a difference! #FutureOfHealthcare #NHSEngagement #HaveYourSay #HealthMatters #10YearHealthPlan #ShapeTheNHS

A report titled the 'Independent Investigation of the National Health Service in England' was recently released. Unsurprisingly, the NHS was described as being in a "critical condition", with misaligned leadership and structure, ineffective healthcare spending and neglect of the social determinants of health leading to inequitable health outcomes, poor access to healthcare (especially preventative and primary care) and deteriorating trust and confidence in the healthcare system. Worryingly, strong parallels exist between drivers of performance within the NHS and in Australia's healthcare system. For example, the lack of investment in primary and preventative care has led to significant declines in bulk billing in General Practice and access to a General Practitioner, rocketing presentations to Emergency Departments, extended wait times, healthcare worker burnout and poor health outcomes. For years, those in the healthcare professions have been raising awareness and calling for change while 'bandaid' solutions have instead been implemented. ACEM's 'State of Emergency 2022' report is one such example of a call to action, but many of the problems identified continue to worsen. This report into the state of the NHS is another grim reminder that significant action needs to be taken by policy makers in Australia to address the current healthcare crisis. Instead of politically 'flashy' announcements, true solutions will need to be informed by data, best practices in comparable systems, and collaboration with the healthcare professions to safeguard the health of the system and of the nation. Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Victorian Department of Health Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care Independent Investigation of the National Health Service in England: https://lnkd.in/gxfpn6ye

🌍 Shaping the Future of the NHS: Inclusivity Matters As the UK government launches a national conversation to shape the NHS’s 10 Year Health Plan, it’s crucial we address overlooked areas of care, like women’s health. Liberum Health highlights how the healthcare system’s “one-size-fits-all” approach has led to gaps in treatment, especially for chronic women’s health conditions. This is an opportunity to ensure the NHS addresses these needs and fosters innovation in underrepresented areas. 🔗 Share your thoughts: change.nhs.uk #NHS #HealthInnovation #WomenInHealthcare #PublicConsultation #FutureOfHealthcare

Building a Healthier Future for the NHS The UK Government recently launched a national consultation aimed at transforming the NHS for the future. This 10-year plan invites everyone—public members, healthcare workers, and industry experts—to share their insights on how the NHS can evolve to meet today’s and tomorrow’s healthcare needs. The plan focuses on expanding community care, boosting digital infrastructure, and prioritising preventive care strategies. 📢 Get involved and have your say! Contribute your insights and read more about this initiative on the official consultation portal: change.nhs.uk and the government’s overview here: Gov.uk NHS Reform Consultation GOV.UK Financial Times National Health Executive .Let’s work together to ensure the NHS continues to thrive and serve as a world-class healthcare system. #HealthcareReform #NHSFuture #HealthcareInnovation