Recommendations & Conclusions
19 items
2
Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
It is not appropriate to set a numerical target for the proportion of appointments carried out remotely in general practice. Instead practices should respond to the needs of their local populations and work together with patients to establish the most fitting medium for their consultations based on clinical outcomes. Remote …
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It is not appropriate to set a numerical target for the proportion of appointments carried out remotely in general practice. Instead practices should respond to the needs of their local populations and work together with patients to establish the most fitting medium for their consultations based on clinical outcomes. Remote care is not for everyone, and it is essential to avoid unintended clinical consequences that may occur.
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Government response AI summary
The government accepted the conclusion that setting numerical targets for remote general practice appointments is inappropriate, agreeing that practices should respond to local population needs.
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Department of Health and Social Care
3
Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
NHS England has already commissioned an evaluation of the role of digital tools in primary care. We recommend that it publishes that evaluation at the earliest opportunity and uses it as a basis to produce clear and consistent guidance on best practice in • Reducing bureaucracy and day-to-day IT administration …
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NHS England has already commissioned an evaluation of the role of digital tools in primary care. We recommend that it publishes that evaluation at the earliest opportunity and uses it as a basis to produce clear and consistent guidance on best practice in • Reducing bureaucracy and day-to-day IT administration tasks, including those associated with referrals, routine blood tests, and follow-up appointments. • The use of remote consultations in general practice. This should include guidance on how to approach conversations with patients about remote care, considering that while patients may not necessarily always be able to have a face-to-face appointment, they should have input into the decision and the rationale for any refusal should be transparent and consistent.
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Government response AI summary
The government confirms NHS England's evaluation of digital tools in primary care has concluded, and it will publish clear guidance on best practice, including reducing bureaucracy and the use of remote consultations, in due course.
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Department of Health and Social Care
6
Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
We therefore recommend that NHS England completes and publishes evaluations of NHS 111 call first services as soon as is practicable, including learning from those evaluations and the implications for any future iterations of the service.
Government response AI summary
The government states that NHS England is currently conducting detailed analysis of the NHS 111 First programme and expects the results to be published in 2023.
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Department of Health and Social Care
7
Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
The response to long covid shows both the kind of integrated, patient-centred care the NHS can provide when systems work effectively, and the frustration and detriment experienced by patients who have to “fight” to access to the right care when systems do not work effectively. We heard that long covid …
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The response to long covid shows both the kind of integrated, patient-centred care the NHS can provide when systems work effectively, and the frustration and detriment experienced by patients who have to “fight” to access to the right care when systems do not work effectively. We heard that long covid provided an opportunity to develop truly integrated services, and that care—although variable—was excellent in the best centres. We welcome NHS England’s commitment to provide effective long covid services. However, during our inquiry we heard heart-rending testimony from people who had struggled to access the care they needed, and who did not feel believed or cared for. This is simply not acceptable. We note that NHS England’s current plan for long covid extends to 2022. With covid-19 set to become endemic, NHS England must ensure that its plans to tackle long covid continue. We understand that knowledge of covid-19 and long covid is constantly evolving, and that plans will therefore need to adapt over time, but we are likely to see increasing numbers of people living with this condition. We cannot afford to let them down.
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Government response AI summary
The government recognizes the importance of supporting long COVID sufferers, detailing existing investment of over £50 million in research and the establishment of over 90 specialist multidisciplinary clinics across the country to provide care.
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Department of Health and Social Care
9
Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
It is not acceptable for patients awaiting planned treatment or feeling the debilitating effects of long covid to feel “abandoned” by the NHS. We appreciate the uncertainty about the length of future waiting lists, but this is no excuse for lack of communication—whether this be confirmation of a patient’s next …
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It is not acceptable for patients awaiting planned treatment or feeling the debilitating effects of long covid to feel “abandoned” by the NHS. We appreciate the uncertainty about the length of future waiting lists, but this is no excuse for lack of communication—whether this be confirmation of a patient’s next round of treatment or simply a conversation to assure them that they have not been forgotten. We heard that waiting lists are not static, that conditions can worsen, and that active management is recommended. A commitment to keeping in touch would not just benefit individual patients, but also help local systems actively to manage their lists and inform decisions about prioritisation.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the importance of patient communication, stating NHS England has already published guidance for providers on effective communication and is actively working to improve waiting list management.
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Department of Health and Social Care
11
Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
Lastly, we heard that patient involvement in services was important to tackle long covid. It should also be taking place in other areas. We have previously called for the Care Quality Commission’s assessments of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) to include consultation with patient groups and patient outcomes, and we continue …
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Lastly, we heard that patient involvement in services was important to tackle long covid. It should also be taking place in other areas. We have previously called for the Care Quality Commission’s assessments of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) to include consultation with patient groups and patient outcomes, and we continue to believe in the importance of this.
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Government response AI summary
The government accepts the principle of patient involvement, stating that the Care Quality Commission’s assessments of Integrated Care Systems already include consultation with patient groups and patient outcomes.
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Department of Health and Social Care
12
Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
We again recommend that the Care Quality Commission includes consultation with patient groups and details of patient outcomes in its assessment of ICSs. (Paragraph 68) Funding and policies to tackle the backlog
Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the importance of patient involvement and states that the CQC's assessments of ICSs already include consultation with patient groups and patient outcomes.
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Department of Health and Social Care
13
Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
The pandemic has had a negative impact on health inequalities and highlighted the crucial importance of effective public health services in supporting local populations. Public health services are therefore vital allies in tackling the backlog, and we are surprised at the decision merely to maintain current public health grant funding …
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The pandemic has had a negative impact on health inequalities and highlighted the crucial importance of effective public health services in supporting local populations. Public health services are therefore vital allies in tackling the backlog, and we are surprised at the decision merely to maintain current public health grant funding levels.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of public health services and states that public health grant funding levels have been increased by £340 million in 2022/23 to £3.47 billion.
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Department of Health and Social Care
15
Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
We note that the Government decided to resist an amendment to the Health and Care Bill that would have required it to publish independently verified assessment of health, social care and public health workforce numbers at least once every two years, leaving a gap between its rhetoric about supporting frontline …
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We note that the Government decided to resist an amendment to the Health and Care Bill that would have required it to publish independently verified assessment of health, social care and public health workforce numbers at least once every two years, leaving a gap between its rhetoric about supporting frontline staff and the biggest single long-term measure that would relieve that pressure. Without an independent forecast of future workforce needs, it remains impossible for anyone to know whether enough doctors, nurses or care staff are being trained. We still believe that giving an assurance to NHS staff that the appropriate number of new staff will be trained in the future is the biggest single long-term measure the Government can take to gain the confidence of frontline staff that it has a grip of this problem. Unless it can do that, the risk is that generous taxpayer-funded settlements for services or capital are wasted.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of workforce assessments and states that it already publishes independently verified assessments of workforce numbers at least once every two years, and will continue this practice.
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Department of Health and Social Care
19
Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
We call on NHS England to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to staff wellbeing by publishing a refreshed People Plan to cover the financial year 2022/23 as soon as is practicable.
Government response AI summary
The government states that NHS England is committed to staff wellbeing and will publish a refreshed People Plan for 2022/23 as soon as practicable, outlining support for wellbeing and addressing workforce shortages.
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Department of Health and Social Care
21
Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
As part of its broader health and care recovery plan, the Government must produce an independently-verified analysis of how many, and what type, of extra beds the NHS needs in order to provide safe and effective everyday care for patients, whilst also responding to need directly created by the pandemic. …
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As part of its broader health and care recovery plan, the Government must produce an independently-verified analysis of how many, and what type, of extra beds the NHS needs in order to provide safe and effective everyday care for patients, whilst also responding to need directly created by the pandemic. This plan must be accompanied by sustainable, long-term plans to tackle delayed discharges.
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Government response AI summary
The government accepted in principle, stating NHS England is working to produce an independently-verified analysis of the NHS's bed needs and will accompany this with sustainable, long-term plans to tackle delayed discharges.
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Department of Health and Social Care
23
Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
Ahead of the arrival of the new funding from the Spending Review in Spring 2022, we recommend that Government provides more details on the 100 new community diagnostic hubs, including where they will be placed, who will staff them and how they will contribute to service improvement within and beyond …
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Ahead of the arrival of the new funding from the Spending Review in Spring 2022, we recommend that Government provides more details on the 100 new community diagnostic hubs, including where they will be placed, who will staff them and how they will contribute to service improvement within and beyond the covid-19 landscape.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that over 90 community diagnostic centres are now open, providing various services based on local need to support earlier diagnosis and treatment, making services more convenient and accessible.
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Department of Health and Social Care
24
Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
Access to care should not be dependent on where you live in the country. Regional and national co-ordination will be necessary to ensure that strategies aimed at tackling the backlog do not have the unintended consequence of increasing health inequalities.
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Access to care should not be dependent on where you live in the country. Regional and national co-ordination will be necessary to ensure that strategies aimed at tackling the backlog do not have the unintended consequence of increasing health inequalities.
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Government response AI summary
The government states the Elective Recovery Taskforce is already working to adopt innovative solutions and foster collaboration across the country to ensure equitable access to care and prevent increased health inequalities from backlog strategies.
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Department of Health and Social Care
26
Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
We have heard much about how a robust social care system that can support hospital discharges and free up capacity is essential to clear the backlog. We welcome the inclusion of the social care workforce in the refreshed Framework 15. Social care, however, did not receive an adequate settlement in …
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We have heard much about how a robust social care system that can support hospital discharges and free up capacity is essential to clear the backlog. We welcome the inclusion of the social care workforce in the refreshed Framework 15. Social care, however, did not receive an adequate settlement in the spending review, with the £5.4 billion over three years falling well short of the £7 billion annual increase we have previously recommended. Even after the spending review period, there 38 Clearing the backlog caused by the pandemic is no guarantee of additional funding from the Health and Social Care Levy, so we remain very concerned that social care will remain the poor relation. Without the right support for social care, a recovery plan for the NHS is doomed to failure.
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Government response AI summary
The government recognizes the importance of social care and commits up to £7.5 billion over the next two years, including £5.4 billion from the Health and Social Care Levy and £500 million for hospital discharge.
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Department of Health and Social Care
29
Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
There is enormous potential for technology to support a transformation in NHS care that will bring benefits for patients and staff alike. However, this potential will not be realised while many providers still struggle with basic IT infrastructure. The Wade-Gery report calls for a roadmap for the delivery of its …
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There is enormous potential for technology to support a transformation in NHS care that will bring benefits for patients and staff alike. However, this potential will not be realised while many providers still struggle with basic IT infrastructure. The Wade-Gery report calls for a roadmap for the delivery of its recommendations.
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Government response AI summary
The government commits to publishing a roadmap in response to the Wade-Gery report in Autumn 2022, detailing how data, digital, and technology will transform the NHS and support IT infrastructure improvements.
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Department of Health and Social Care
30
Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
NHS England must produce its roadmap in response to the Wade-Gery report on Putting data, digital and tech at the heart of transforming the NHS at the earliest opportunity so that we and others are able to scrutinise it ahead of implementation.
Government response AI summary
The government commits to publishing a roadmap in response to the Wade-Gery report in Autumn 2022, outlining how data, digital, and technology will transform the NHS and improve IT infrastructure.
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Department of Health and Social Care
31
Conclusion
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
The upcoming national introduction of ICBs provides the opportunity for local integration and innovation. This opportunity must not be wasted, particularly in the context of the backlog. There must be clear incentives for ICBs to deliver integrated and innovative care, with ICSs held accountable for the care they deliver.
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The upcoming national introduction of ICBs provides the opportunity for local integration and innovation. This opportunity must not be wasted, particularly in the context of the backlog. There must be clear incentives for ICBs to deliver integrated and innovative care, with ICSs held accountable for the care they deliver.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the importance of ICBs delivering integrated and innovative care with accountability, stating that the Health and Care Act 2022 places relevant duties on ICBs, and NHS England will publish guidance on ICB assessment to ensure incentives.
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Department of Health and Social Care
33
Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
We recommend the Government creates a platform to share examples of good practice and innovation at ICB level so that lessons can be learnt, and practices adapted in ways that reflect the health needs of local areas. Without this, the risk of regional inequalities in waiting lists and postcode lotteries …
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We recommend the Government creates a platform to share examples of good practice and innovation at ICB level so that lessons can be learnt, and practices adapted in ways that reflect the health needs of local areas. Without this, the risk of regional inequalities in waiting lists and postcode lotteries will continue.
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Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation, stating NHS England is currently developing a platform to share good practice and innovation at ICB level, which is set to launch in Autumn 2022.
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Department of Health and Social Care
34
Recommendation
Ninth report - Clearing the backlog cau…
Accepted
We again recommend that a duty be placed on ICBs for them to have regard to mental health and public health. (Paragraph 128) Clearing the backlog caused by the pandemic 39
Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the recommendation, noting that the Health and Care Act 2022 already places a duty on ICBs to reduce health inequalities and promote integration, which covers having regard to mental health and public health.
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Department of Health and Social Care