NHS Makes Good Progress Against Key Priorities, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: MRSA / Drug Resistance
Article Date: 29 Nov 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The NHS is making good progress against key priorities and continues to show strong financial management, the Department of Health announced.

The Quarter 2 (June-Sept) performance report published recently shows that:

-- The NHS met its 18 Week commitment nationally five months early in August - a landmark achievement for the NHS;

-- We have exceeded our target to halve the number of MRSA infections, with the latest data showing a 57 percent reduction on the 2003/04 baseline;

-- We have seen a significant reduction in cases of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) particularly in the key over 65 age group, in which latest figures show a fall of 18% on the previous quarter and 38% since the same quarter in 2007; and

-- More than half of GP practices nationally have met the target to provide extended opening hours, three months ahead of target, with nearly 60 percent of GP surgeries now opening at evenings and weekends, providing patients with greater flexibility and choice.

Latest data on NHS financial performance forecasts the gross operating deficit to be £86 million at year-end, down from £125 million at the end of 07/08. The predicted surplus of £1.73 billion will stay within the NHS and will be used to improve patient care.

Commenting on the report David Flory, Department of Health's Director General of NHS Finance, Performance and Operations said; "This report confirms the excellent progress the NHS is continuing to make and its achievements in key priority areas. A strong financial position, backed by good progress on delivery, will continue to ensure high quality services for patients, particularly in the current economic climate.

"This quarter, the NHS has achieved the 18 Weeks commitment nationally five months early, is providing greater access to GPs out of hours, has exceeded our target to halve the number of MRSA infections and seen a significant drop in C Difficile infections - all great news for patients

"We have also seen strong financial management across the NHS over the last few years and can be confident that these factors mean the NHS is on a firm financial footing.

"During these tougher economic times the NHS, along with the rest of the public sector, will have to make its contribution to delivering greater efficiency. The NHS has a good track record - we announced last week our over achievement on the Gershon efficiency savings target - and that too gives us confidence that are well placed for the challenges ahead."

'The Quarter' report updates the NHS on progress towards key priorities, including financial health and can be found at: http://www.dh.gov.uk

Department of Health, UK