Improving NHS quality and value - Providers deliver productivity

NHS trusts are determined to do everything they can to help health services to be even more productive but need support from government and national bodies to unlock their full potential for improvement, health leaders have said.

A new report by NHS Providers shows how hospitals, mental health, community and ambulance services are finding new ways to provide better care and value for money.

Providers Deliver: achieving value for money says that the efforts of trusts must be matched by a commitment from government for capital investment to modernise buildings, equipment and technology in order to unlock greater productivity gains.

Further barriers to progress on productivity include the impact of staff exhaustion and burnout, the disruptive impact of industrial action and the growing numbers of patients with complex conditions needing more resources or staff time to care for them.

The report sets out positive examples of how trusts are making productivity gains in a challenging environment, while focusing on quality and safety. Approaches include:

• standardising care delivery models across community nursing teams
• collaborating with neighbouring trusts to tackle shared challenges
• using digital tools to free up staff time
• introducing local measures to mitigate patient harm and ensure right care, right place
• incentivising staff to help tackle waiting lists.

Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive of NHS Providers, said:

"Work being done on the 'front line' of the NHS offers real hope. It's encouraging to see how trusts are finding positive solutions in the face of extraordinary pressures.

"But if we're serious about improving the sustainability of the health service and want to help it to be as productive as possible then the efforts of trusts must be matched by long-term cross-government support including capital investment in NHS buildings and facilities.

"Our report is a snapshot of much wider work carried out by trusts and their partners to improve the quality of care while giving better value for money. The NHS is committed to productivity growth and trust leaders understand the importance of reducing waste, adding value and sustainably improving services.

"Trusts are working flat out to maintain high-quality care and tackle treatment delays, while doing more with existing resources.

"They are at the heart of many of the innovative solutions across the NHS, delivering for patients and for the populations they serve."