05 October 2007
Clinicians and new technology are at the centre of the government's vision for the future of the NHS, health minister Lord Ara Darzi was due to say on October 4.
Speaking in advance of the publication of his interim report on the future of the NHS, Darzi said that the government needed to develop a consensus between NHS staff, patients and the public on the future shape of the NHS. He said: 'Effective change needs to be led locally, driven by clinicians and others working in partnership across the service.'
The emphasis on a clinician-driven NHS – as distinct from one driven by competition for patients – is likely to please health unions and medical staff.
Darzi was also due to announce the establishment of a new Health Innovation Council to lead the development of new technologies and treatments. The council will have funding of up to £100m.
Karen Jennings, Unison's head of health, said: 'It will mean a lot to staff in the NHS that Lord Darzi has recognised that they are creative and can be on the cutting edge of innovation given the opportunity. This is a very different message from the mantra that the private sector has the monopoly on creativity.'
PFoct2007
