This is reasonably interesting because I think (although not entirely
sure) that Civitas has traditionally been associated with right of
centre thought.
-----Original Message-----
From: The Health Equity Network (HEN)
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of alex
scott-samuel
Sent: 04 March 2010 12:55
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Subject: Civitas: NHS market reforms are not linked with better care
NHS market reforms are not linked with better care
Health Service Journal, 3 March, 2010
Graham Clews
The introduction of competition to the NHS cannot be shown to have
improved the health service, and may have produced extra costs.
Research by the think tank Civitas looked at more than 150 published
studies of market reforms introduced to the
NHS both under a Conservative government in the
1990s and under the present Labour government since 2002.
Purchasers and providers often feel they are at odds and are pushed
to have different objectives
Analysis concluded that although waiting times have shortened, and
patient access and provider efficiency have improved, much of this can
be attributed to greater funding and the use of targets, rather than the
introduction of the purchaser/provider split.
The report accepts that the policy changes have increased awareness of
costs, efficiency and accountability in the NHS. But it says
improvements that might be expected, including large scale cost
reductions, service innovation and provider responsiveness to patients
and purchasers, had not materialised.
The report says many researchers could not attribute any improvements
specifically to post-2002 reforms such as payment by results foundation
trusts care trust commissioningand patient choice.
Instead, it suggests any improvements can be attributed to a combination
of "targets and terror" and increased spending.
Civitas health policy researcher Laura Brereton, who is the report's
lead author, said: "There was lots of money coming into the NHS at both
times when market policies were being introduced, so it's hard to say if
changes were due to more resources or because of the market
functioning."
The report said the lack of a stable policy environment had demotivated
staff, and that patients and the public still do not understand the
changes introduced to the NHS.
Ms Brereton said the "costs" of market reforms were not necessarily
financial.
"Researchers found that the relationship between the providers and the
commissioners had changed," she said.
"Purchasers and providers often feel they are at odds and are pushed to
have different objectives, even when they should both theoretically be
working with a shared first priority of improving patient care."
http://www.hsj.co.uk/news/policy/nhs-market-reforms-are-not-linked-with-
better-care/5012032.article
Please access the attached hyperlink for an important electronic communications disclaimer: http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/planningAndCorporatePolicy/legalandComplianceTeam/legal/disclaimer.htm
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