DH - NHS continues to deliver key priorities - 5 June 09

Source

The NHS met a number of key commitments on healthcare priorities at the end of the last financial year and continues to show strong financial management, the Department of Health announced today.

The Quarter 4 (January-March 2009) performance report published today highlights that the NHS has delivered against national priorities and sustained a strong financial position at year end. The report also shows that:

• The NHS delivered the operational standard to treat all patients within 18 weeks from referral to treatment which came into effect from January 2009;
• Data published last quarter shows continued progress in tackling HCAIs with a 7% reduction in MRSA infections compared to the previous quarter - this is a 65% reduction against the 2003/04 baseline;
• The NHS sustained positive patient reported experiences with the recent CQC adult inpatient survey showing that 93% of patients rated their overall care as "excellent", "very good" or "good;"
• Good progress continued to be made on offering extended opening hours in GP practices, increasing the number of midwives in the NHS and improving access to dentistry; and
• The NHS demonstrated it has been planning effectively for an emergency in its response to swine flu.

The Quarter 4 confirms that 2008/09 was a successful year for NHS finances by sustaining a healthy surplus of £1.735 billion and a gross operating deficit of £58 million at year-end, down from £125 million at the end of 07/08. The NHS has also continued to deliver strong performance in providing value for money and began 2009/10 in a strong financial position.

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 over the last quarter. 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.
• "Building on our success in meeting key targets for Healthcare Associated Infections and the 18 weeks target, it is rewarding to see that patients are now reporting increased satisfaction with the NHS.
• "It is not enough to just meet our key targets for healthcare, our challenge now is to raise standards even higher and deliver world class healthcare to all patients.
• "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. However, the strong financial position this year will ensure the NHS is well placed to meet future challenges."

Back to news index