Commission proposes end to star rating system for hospitals
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《英国医生杂志》
New arrangements for checking on the performance of hospitals and doctors spell the end to the unpopular star ratings system for NHS trusts in England.
The inspection body, the Healthcare Commission, this week published its new proposals for assessing both independent and public sector healthcare organisations and announced that 2005 will be the last year of star ratings.
The proposals will now go out to wide consultation until 21 February, in a bid to gather the views of the public and healthcare professionals and managers on what they think should be assessed and what kinds of information should be published.
Meetings with patients' groups have also been arranged for early in 2005 in London, Bristol, Birmingham, and Leeds.
The commission says that the proposals are designed to be responsive to need and to make the process of inspection less burdensome. Inspections will no longer involve large teams of inspectors or require collection of large volumes of data.
Better use will be made of existing information gathered from other bodies involved in inspection and regulation.
The commission also promises to adopt "a targeted and proportionate approach to assessment," deploying a "lighter touch" for those organisations with demonstrable good performance and effective leadership.
From April 2005, when the new framework takes effect, an organisation's annual performance rating will be based on whether it is managing to get "the basics" right, with greater emphasis given to the ability to make and sustain progress.
In terms of the "basics," organisations will be assessed on the core standards set out by the government earlier this year. These cover safety; clinical and cost effectiveness; governance; patient focus; accessible and responsible care; care environment and amenities; and public health.(Caroline White)
The inspection body, the Healthcare Commission, this week published its new proposals for assessing both independent and public sector healthcare organisations and announced that 2005 will be the last year of star ratings.
The proposals will now go out to wide consultation until 21 February, in a bid to gather the views of the public and healthcare professionals and managers on what they think should be assessed and what kinds of information should be published.
Meetings with patients' groups have also been arranged for early in 2005 in London, Bristol, Birmingham, and Leeds.
The commission says that the proposals are designed to be responsive to need and to make the process of inspection less burdensome. Inspections will no longer involve large teams of inspectors or require collection of large volumes of data.
Better use will be made of existing information gathered from other bodies involved in inspection and regulation.
The commission also promises to adopt "a targeted and proportionate approach to assessment," deploying a "lighter touch" for those organisations with demonstrable good performance and effective leadership.
From April 2005, when the new framework takes effect, an organisation's annual performance rating will be based on whether it is managing to get "the basics" right, with greater emphasis given to the ability to make and sustain progress.
In terms of the "basics," organisations will be assessed on the core standards set out by the government earlier this year. These cover safety; clinical and cost effectiveness; governance; patient focus; accessible and responsible care; care environment and amenities; and public health.(Caroline White)