NHS Confederation: Reforms need assessment

Changes to the NHS need to be regularly assessed to ensure progress is monitored, the NHS Confederation has said.

Its comment follows a report from the Audit Commission and Healthcare Commission on how far reforms made in 2000 have had an impact on care.

The NHS Confederation, which represents over 95 per cent of NHS organisations, described the report as a "helpful assessment" of progress and said evaluating the progress of health policy in the NHS has been "poor" in the past.

"The confederation would like to see regular analysis so both the public and policy makers can assess how services are developing and what the future direction for policy should be," said Nigel Edwards, policy director of the NHS Confederation.

"Looking forward, we believe NHS organisations must be fully supported in the process of reaching foundation trust status so we can ensure a regular stream of applicants entering [regulator] Monitor's assessment process."

He added: "We support the report's emphasis on strengthening the commissioning of services by primary care trust and the role of strategic health authorities.

"Many of the tools for reform in this area are now coming fully on line or are soon to be properly bedded down into the system.

"It is vital therefore that we avoid any further top down restructuring so that NHS organisations can make the best use of these reforms and deliver on their potential."