17 March 2006
The Healthcare Commission has moved to ensure that cuts to control NHS deficits do not damage clinical quality and standards.
Instead of publishing a single 'star rating' or performance score for each hospital trust, the commission will this year separate 'quality of care' and 'use of resources'.
Joe Farrington-Douglas, research fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research, said the move was an attempt to ensure that the new breakeven targets were not pursued at the expense of patient care. 'You'll be able to see whether or not financial gains come from service cuts or quality cutbacks,' he said.
The commission scrapped its combined star ratings system for hospital trusts last year in favour of a 'dashboard' approach, giving separate scores for a range of performance issues. But dashboard scores will not be ready for this summer's annual assessment.
Anna Walker, chief executive of the commission, said: 'If a trust gets a weak rating it is likely to be subject to more performance management… We will be watching for any impact on the care of patients.'
PFmar2006
