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The Department of Health has announced that its publication of the NHS outcomes framework 2011/12 marks a new era of patient care. In a move away from centrally driven process targets, the framework will shift the focus onto outcomes that matter most to patients, as highlighted by the Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley: ‘Our focus on improving health outcomes will give the NHS, public health organisations, and local government a benchmark for what the public expects to see from their health services.’ One of the main aims of the framework is to renew the focus on tackling inequalities, particularly in the following five areas:¹

• Prevention of premature death
• Enhancing quality of life in patients with chronic conditions
• Helping individuals to recover after injury or from ill health
• Ensuring that patients have a positive experience during their care
• Ensuring that patients are treated in a safe environment and are protected from avoidable harm.

The NHS outcomes framework will be reviewed and refined annually so that it reflects what patients want from their healthcare on an ongoing basis. In addition the outcomes set out in the framework, and corresponding indicators, will be used to hold the NHS Commissioning Board to account.

Commissioning for outcomes is the focus of an article this month by Dr Callaghan and Gina Perigo who present the ABC commissioning model, an approach that can have a significant impact on improving individual and population health. This is the first article in our new ‘Commissioning’ series for 2011.

Julia Morris, Editor
julia.morris@mgp.ltd.uk

References

1. Department of Health. The NHS outcomes framework 2011/12. London: DH, 2010. Available at: www.dh.gov.ukG