Hard hitting report on Welsh NHS finds compelling need for change

A new publication called ‘Best configuration of hospital services for Wales: A Review of the evidence’ by the Welsh NHS Confederation has found overwhelming evidence of the need to change the way hospital service are run.

From the press release ‘An independent review of what clinical evidence says about hospital services in Wales, published today, concludes that patients in Wales are not getting the best possible outcomes from their hospital care and there is a strong case for changing the way some hospital services are organised.

The report, by Professor Marcus Longley at the Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care (WIHSC) at the University of Glamorgan, was commissioned by the NHS in Wales.

The research paper represents the first time that the existing clinical evidence has been brought together in one place to present the overall picture of the issues that are driving change across the NHS.

Some of the main findings of the report show that:
 
 • The current configuration of hospital services does not deliver the best outcomes for patients uniformly across Wales;

• Service quality needs to be improved if Wales is to have services comparable with the best healthcare systems in the world;

• Unless action is taken quickly, the shortage of medical staff in some services  is likely to lead to the unplanned closure, and possible collapse, of these services;

• The increasing specialisation of some types of services mean that centralising expert clinical staff leads to better patient outcomes in these specialties;

• The nature of healthcare means that many hospital services are interdependent and outcomes for patients could be improved if certain types of services are brought together onto one site;

• The impact of longer travelling distances as a result of centralisation can be lessened by boosting pre-hospital care, using telemedicine more widely and effectively, and providing better transport links.

Professor Marcus Longley, Director of WIHSC, commented:
“The performance of the NHS in Wales has improved significantly over the past decade, but challenges remain and difficult decisions now need to be taken.  Acting as a neutral policy expert, the University is reviewing the evidence to inform a rational debate about how best to organise our NHS services to meet the changing needs of people in Wales.”

The NHS in Wales has welcomed the research paper.  Helen Birtwhistle, Director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, which represents all Local Health Boards and Trusts in Wales, said:

“The report sends a strong message to the NHS in Wales, and the wider Welsh public, that there are aspects of our current health system that could, and should, be better.  As the report says, there is an urgent need for us to change our hospital services if we are to provide a high-quality and safe health service, comparable to the best anywhere.

“There are some difficult and potentially unpopular decisions ahead so it is critical that the public have access to clear and independent information to help them examine Health Board plans.  This independent research paper is an important step in that process.”

Given how stale and partisan the debate over health reorganisation has been in Wales for many years, will this report give politicians of all parties fresh impetus to take the difficult and unpopular decisions that will give Wales a health service fit for 21^st Century?

The summary of the report is HERE

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