§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures he proposes to take to monitor the relative costs and performance of National Health Service regional health authorities, individual hospitals, hospital and community based services and medical procedures; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonA number and variety of measures have already been devloped to monitor the relative costs and performance of the National Health Service. A foremost example is the performance indicator package which provides managers at all levels with the means of comparing the performance of their own services with those in other authorities.
Analysis of performance indicators, together with the results of other forms of monitoring (such as scrutiny of regions' strategies, annual short-term programme implementation reports and financial and statistical returns) are channelled into the anual accountability review process. Introduced in 1982 between the Department and regional health authorities, the review process has since extended through the service and brings to an annual head the continuous process of monitoring, appraisal and review of NHS performance. Work on improving the existing arrangements continues.
456WThe Department is also exploring new measures, like involving professional staff directly in resource management, aimed at helping all those working in the service to improve the quantity and quality of services provided to the public.