Consultation aims to cut NHS administrative red tape
Wednesday 31st August 2011
A data consultation commissioned is aiming to cut unnecessary data collections across the NHS.
The 12 week consultation proposes that up to a quarter of all the current data returns commissioned by the Department of Health should be stopped.
It is hoped that this reduction in administrative and clerical resources will save money which can be ploughed back into patient care.
The amount of money that would be saved is estimated at £10 million.
In preparation for the consultation, the Department of Health commissioned over 300 separate data collections in order to assess the impact on patient care and how it can be improved.
During the consultation, patient groups, research organisations, academic institutions and NHS trusts are to be asked for their views on the proposals, which would see data collections across health and social care streamlined.
Anne Milton, public health minister, said that the data collected by the NHs must be of "real value" in order to help improve patient outcomes, patient choice and clinical decisions.
"This is why we want to cut red tape in the NHS so that staff can focus on what matters most – improving frontline care and services for patients," she added.
Tim Straughan, chief executive of the NHS Information Centre, explained that a second phase of work will be conducted in order to investigate how remaining data returns can be rationalised.
The burden on information providers will be kept to a minimum, he added, and data will be collected and processed efficiently.
Mr Straughan claimed that some data returns continue only for "historical reasons".
"We believe the result of review will free local NHS staff from unnecessary administrative burdens while at the same time supporting patient choice and better decision-making within the NHS," he said.
This follows news that health secretary Andrew Lansley has called for new ideas for health apps which will help patients to make informed decisions about their care.
Written by Mathew Horton
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