Information, choice and control
As you may know, the Government is planning significant changes to the NHS. As such, they recently published a White Paper, 'Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS', outlining their proposals.
A White Paper is a Parliamentary paper which explains Government policy. In them, Governments set out their proposed actions and signify their intentions to pass new laws.
The White Paper is based on five key priorities:
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A patient-led NHS;
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Shift resources to promote better healthcare outcomes;
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Revolutionise NHS accountability;
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Promote better public health;
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Reform social care.
Shortly after publishing the White Paper, the Government launched a number of consultations to gather feedback from NHS staff, patients, the public and others about the proposals it contains.
These consultations closed last week (11 October 2010) and we would like to thank those patients and local people who took the time to comment on the proposals.
Yesterday (18 October 2010), the Department of Health launched two new consultations which are linked to the White Paper. These are:
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An information revolution - seeking views on how the NHS can transform the way information is accessed, collected, analysed and used so that people are at the heart of health and adult social care services;
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Greater choice and control - seeking views on proposals offering more choice for patients and service users, how shared decision making can become the norm and how to make it happen.
The White Paper and details of how to respond to the consultations are available on the Department of Health website. The deadline for comments is 14 January 2011.
