A meeting of the Social Partnership Forum* (SPF) held yesterday (11October), pledged to work together to find new ways of raising standards across the NHS. The SPF said they were ready to meet the challenge following the publication of the annual check of the NHS by the Healthcare Commission.
Chair of the Social Partnership Forum, Karen Jennings, said:
“This “new look” report from the Healthcare Commission throws up some very real challenges for delivering better patient care and more targeted use of NHS resources.
“The Social Partnership Forum will examine the report carefully and identify areas where we can work together to make those improvements a reality.
“One thing that stands out clearly from the report is the high level of
dedication of healthcare staff. We have a winning team and they need the support, expertise and resources to deliver those improvements to achieve a world class health service for all.”
Andy Burnham, Health Minister said
“Staff have delivered real improvements for patients in important areas such as waiting times and the big killers. I would like to thank all staff for their role in delivering these improvements and for providing good and safe patient care.
I have every confidence that staff are ready to rise to the challenge
presented by the Healthcare Commission’s report to improve services further for the future.”
David Nicolson, NHS Chief Executive said
‘I recognise that NHS staff have all been working very hard in a
challenging environment and that there may be some disappointment with the results and the media attention it has provoked. However, the whole point of this independent assessment is to promote service improvements for patients, and I am confident that where necessary, action will be taken quickly’
Steve Barnett, Director of NHS Employers said
“Staff are the NHS’ most important asset. I know that staff are dedicated and already work really hard to provide high quality services to patients. Part of providing a world class health service, is about continually looking at how we can make further improvements and the Healthcare Commission’s report helps us to do that.
“We at NHS Employers will continue to look at how we can continue to improve the working lives of staff so that we can make the NHS a world class employer as well as a world class health service provider.”
ends
Notes:
*The Social Partnership Forum is a tripartite body of health unions, NHS
employers and the Department of Health