Service Quality

HC Deb 03 November 1993 vol 231 cc209-10W

Ms Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans she has to ensure that existing knowledge about effectiveness is used to improve service quality;

(2) how the Government's autumn initiative on quality in purchasing will ensure that existing knowledge about effectiveness is used to improve service quality.

Mr. Sackville

The Department of Health's research and development division has published its strategy, "Research for Health", part of which relates to the dissemination of existing knowledge on effectiveness of treatment. A unit that will provide a focal point for review and dissemination of research will shortly be set up.

In addition the Department has commissioned a series of effective health care bulletins. Each bulletin consists of a systematic review and synthesis of literature on clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and acceptability of health service interventions. These bulletins are designed to aid purchasers in drawing up effective contracts.

As part of the national health service research and development programme, the Cochrane centre has been set up in Oxford, to establish a database of controlled trials, and to provide an information service.

The Department of Health's central health outcomes unit and the United Kingdom outcomes clearing house in Leeds have been set up to develop and promote the assessment of outcome of services. A recently published departmental consultation document on population health outcome indicators is based on the collation of existing knowledge about effectiveness.

In addition clinical audit has been established whereby procedures used for diagnosis, care and treatment are compared against standards of proven effectiveness, with the aim of improving quality of patient care. As a part of this, the health professionals are currently working with the Department to develop nationally agreed guidelines, based on knowledge about effectiveness and appropriateness of services, for use in purchasing high-quality care.

Copies of these documents will be placed in the Library.