Department of Health and Social Care
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Chief Executive's report confirms the NHS is fighting fit in 60th year
The NHS is on course to deliver its key pledges to the public, and important reforms coupled with financial stability mean it is well placed to continue to improve services for patients, but there is more to do - David Nicholson, NHS Chief Executive said today.
In his second annual report, covering the year 2007/08, David Nicholson said that the NHS is on track to meet a range of performance measures in areas of key concern to the public such as:
* Transforming the waiting experience for millions of patients - the promise of cutting waiting times from referral to treatment to an absolute maximum of 18 weeks and ensuring a 13 week maximum wait for an outpatient appointment
* Improving safety and quality - delivering a very challenging target on Healthcare Acquired Infections - to halve the rates of MRSA
As well as continuing to deliver shorter waits for cancer patients.
Looking back on the last year David Nicholson also pointed to progress on key reforms that are bringing about tangible benefits for patients:
In the past year the NHS has:
* introduced free choice to every NHS patient so that they can choose their routine elective care from any one of over 350 providers including NHS and the independent sector
* increased the number of Foundation Trusts to 96
* started the second wave of Independent Sector Treatment Centres
Mr Nicholson's report says that during its 60th year, the NHS has a lot to celebrate but must not rest on its laurels in its drive to deliver further improvements for patients. David Nicholson said:
"The NHS is in good shape. We are on track to deliver hugely ambitious promises on waiting times and healthcare acquired infections. This is thanks to the remarkable efforts of our staff, every day, all around the country.
However, there is more to do if we're to continue to make the progress that patients and the public expect. The NHS Next Stage Review has provided us with a fantastic opportunity to bring about real and lasting improvements for patients all over the country. My job - and that of every leader and member of staff in the NHS - is to seize this and make it happen."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The Year is the Chief Executive's annual report, it covers 2007/08 and is published on the Department of Health website at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_084843
2. The Department will publish two additional publications on the same date. 'The Framework for Managing Choice and Competition' and 'A PCT Procurement Guide For Health Services'.
