High quality care for all NHS Next Stage Review - Antibiotic Action
High quality care for all NHS Next Stage Review - Antibiotic Action
High quality care for all NHS Next Stage Review - Antibiotic Action
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<strong>High</strong> Quality Care For All – <strong>NHS</strong> <strong>Next</strong> <strong>Stage</strong> <strong>Review</strong> Final Report7Summary LetterSummary letterOur <strong>NHS</strong> – Secured today <strong>for</strong> future generationsby Lord DarziAn <strong>NHS</strong> that gives patients and thepublic more in<strong>for</strong>mation and choice,works in partnership and has <strong>quality</strong> of<strong>care</strong> at its heart.Dear Prime Minister, Chancellor ofthe Exchequer, and Secretary of State<strong>for</strong> Health,This year the <strong>NHS</strong> is 60 years old.We are paying tribute to a servicefounded in adversity, from which wereestablished enduring principles of equalaccess <strong>for</strong> <strong>all</strong> based on need and notability to pay. We are celebrating anational institution that has made animmeasurable difference to millions ofpeople’s lives across the country.Quite simply, the <strong>NHS</strong> is there when weneed it most. It provides round the clock,compassionate <strong>care</strong> and com<strong>for</strong>t. It playsa vital role in ensuring that as many of usas possible can enjoy good health <strong>for</strong> aslong as possible – one of the things thatmatters most to us and to our family andfriends.The journey so farI know the journey we have <strong>all</strong> beenon from my own experience as an<strong>NHS</strong> clinician working in partnershipwith professional colleagues acrossthe service.I used to be the only colo-rectal surgeonin my hospital; today I am a member ofa team of four surgeons, working in anetwork that reaches out into primary<strong>care</strong>. Ten years ago, we had one parttimestoma nurse. Today we have twofull-time stoma nurses, two specialistnurses and a nurse consultant.Ten years ago, my patients wouldsometimes wait over a year <strong>for</strong>treatment, and now they wait just afew weeks – and even less if cancer issuspected. My patients are treated usingkeyhole surgery enabling them to leavehospital in days rather than weeks.My team’s conversations about <strong>quality</strong>take place in weekly multidisciplinarymeetings rather than in corridors.Together, these changes have meantreal improvements <strong>for</strong> patients.I have seen <strong>for</strong> myself the <strong>NHS</strong> gettingbetter, and I have heard similar storiesfrom other clinical teams throughout thecountry over the course of this <strong>Review</strong>.These achievements were enabled bythe investment of extra resources, 1 bygiving freedom to the frontline through<strong>NHS</strong> foundation trusts, and by ensuringmore funding followed patient choices.They were delivered by the dedicationand hard work of <strong>NHS</strong> staff who weredetermined to improve services <strong>for</strong>patients and the public.1 In 1996/7, the budget <strong>for</strong> the <strong>NHS</strong> in England was£33 billion; in 2008/9 it is £96 billion.
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